Yeongjong Chinese restaurant for rich jjamppong: Bongga Gyodong Banjeom

My husband and I love Gyodong jjamppong, so we used to travel all the way to Gangneung for it. Since having children, it has been difficult to go far, and although we looked for a similar flavor near home, each one was a little different from what we remembered.

At Bongga Gyodong Banjeom (본가교동반점), one sip of the broth immediately reminded both of us of the Gyodong jjamppong we loved. On the first day, we shared several dishes with my mother-in-law, then returned the next day because we wanted more jjamppong.

Where are Bongga Gyodong Banjeom, its hours, and parking?

The address is 50-8 Hwarangmok-ro, Yeongjong-gu, Incheon, South Korea. According to the original post, it is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with a break from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. On Sundays, it is open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and it is closed every Saturday.

There was space for about three cars directly in front of the restaurant.

What were the seating and lunchtime atmosphere like?

The interior was more spacious than it looked from outside, with several tables, so we could sit comfortably. We did not bring the children this time, but high chairs were available, so it looked possible to visit with young children.

On the first day, around 1:00 PM on a weekday, it was relatively quiet. The next day at about 11:30 AM, it was quiet at first, but quite a few customers came in as noon approached. I felt it could get a little crowded at lunchtime.

What did the three of us order, and how much did it cost?

On the first day, my husband, my mother-in-law, and I ordered four dishes. As each dish arrived, we placed it in the middle and shared a little of everything.

• Gyodong jjamppong: ₩10,000
• Gangneung Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice: ₩12,000
• Jajangmyeon: ₩8,000
• Mini tangsuyuk: ₩13,000

How spicy was the Gyodong jjamppong broth?

What I like about Gyodong jjamppong is broth that is rich and spicy without being only hot. The broth here was also rich and moderately spicy, and it tasted quite similar to the Gyodong jjamppong I remembered. Of all the dishes, Gyodong jjamppong stayed with my husband and me the most.

I also liked that it was not the style filled with mussel shells. There was less hassle of peeling mussels one by one, letting the noodles get soggy, or piling up shells, so it was easier to focus on the broth and noodles.

Is the soft tofu jjamppong rice good even if you prefer noodles?

When I eat jjamppong, I usually prefer noodles to rice. I do not normally order jjamppong rice on purpose, but the Gangneung Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice went well with rice, perhaps because it contained soft tofu.

The soft tofu added to the rich broth made it different from simply mixing rice into jjamppong broth. Even though I prefer noodles, I enjoyed it with rice, and I thought it was a dish worth choosing if you like soft tofu.

How were the jajangmyeon and mini tangsuyuk?

The jajangmyeon was not especially intense or unusual; it had a familiar, easy-to-eat flavor. I liked that it came with a fried egg on top. I thought it would be a safe choice if you visit with someone who cannot eat jjamppong.

The mini tangsuyuk had a fairly thin batter. Rather than tasting mostly of fried coating, I could taste the meat and thin batter together, which suited my preferences. The mini size felt less burdensome when adding a little to several dishes.

What did we eat when we returned the next day?

I think my husband was disappointed that the three of us had shared the jjamppong on the first day. He suggested we go again the next day, so we visited two days in a row. The second time, rather than sharing, we ordered Gyodong jjamppong and Gyodong jjamppong rice and each had our own bowl.

That day, we also ordered sio konbu salad for ₩3,000. It was salty and went well with the jjamppong.

I had often been disappointed while looking for a similar flavor near home, but this time the rich broth and moderate spice suited both my husband and me well. It is a place I would like to return to when I am craving jjamppong.