Gaegeum-dong Chinese restaurant with 1-hour parking: Surabanjeom Gaya

Had really good Chinese food at Surabanjeom Gaya Branch after a while :) I'd tried the Seomyeon branch before, so I was curious how the Gaya branch would compare! From the taste of jjajang, jjamppong, and tangsuyuk to parking tips — check it out if you're passing by and craving Chinese food :)

Once you start thinking about Chinese food, nothing else really substitutes for it, right? Jjajangmyeon and jjamppong kept popping into my head for a few days haha. Especially right before falling asleep — why do I crave Chinese food so much then!

After trying the Seomyeon branch of Surabanjeom, I got really curious about the Gaya branch. So this time I went to Surabanjeom Gaya Branch, which always shows up when you search for a top Chinese restaurant in Gaegeum-dong :)

Parking at Surabanjeom Gaya Branch: 1 hour covered at Taeyang Parking Lot next door

The parking lot right next to the store was the first thing I liked. Since I was driving, parking was my biggest worry, but there's a Taeyang Parking Lot right beside Surabanjeom Gaya Branch, so I could park without wandering around. If you grab a parking ticket at checkout, you get 1 hour free, so I could eat without worrying about time at all — so convenient.

How busy is Surabanjeom Gaya Branch at lunch?

While waiting after sitting down, I noticed customers kept streaming in through the entrance.

It wasn't just the dining hall that was busy — delivery orders kept coming in nonstop too, and the staff were constantly on the move.

Even so, the service was friendly, and despite the busy hour there was no uncomfortable feeling at all. Seeing people constantly coming and going like this — I had to admit this is truly a neighborhood favorite!

The jjamppong at Surabanjeom leads with smoky wok flavor

We decided on jjajang, jjamppong, and tangsuyuk without much thought. Feels like you'd be missing out if you came to a top Chinese restaurant in Gaegeum-dong and didn't order these three haha.

I took a spoonful of the jjamppong broth first, and it was the type where the smoky wok flavor comes first, followed by the seafood aroma. With squid, shrimp, and clams in it, the broth wasn't heavy but had a refreshing taste,

and the spiciness was subtle, just supporting from behind, so even I — who can't handle spicy food well — ate it comfortably and enjoyed it! The menu description said it was jjamppong made with smoky wok flavor, and that was exactly right :)

Is the jjajangmyeon too sweet? No — the chunjang tastes nutty

The jjajangmyeon at Surabanjeom Gaya Branch had the sauce cling nicely to the noodles when mixed, with no separation. It wasn't just sweet jjajang — you could taste the savory flavor of the chunjang (black bean sauce) too, so I didn't get tired of it even after finishing the whole bowl.

Taking a spoonful of jjamppong broth and coming back to the jjajangmyeon made it taste fresh all over again haha.

The tangsuyuk surprise: seriously thick pork in glutinous rice batter

The tangsuyuk had a glutinous rice batter style, so the coating was chewy, and it was packed with thick chunks of meat inside for a satisfying chew.

The outside was crispy while the inside stayed moist, so it was even better eaten right when it came out.

My kid kept saying the tangsuyuk was really delicious, over and over, and ate it up so well haha.

Surabanjeom's self-bar: kimchi, danmuji, onion and free rice

There's a self-bar on one side where you can help yourself to as much kimchi, danmuji, onion, and chunjang as you need, and rice is provided free at the self-serve station too.

So you can mix rice into the jjamppong broth or jjajang sauce and eat a really hearty, satisfying meal :) I guess it's inevitable to keep craving rice even when you've already ordered noodles.

Worth a stop for Chinese food in Gaegeum-dong, Busan?

It's hard to say whether the Seomyeon branch or the Gaya branch is better, but Surabanjeom Gaya Branch had easy parking and a lively atmosphere, making it stress-free to visit by car. The food and the staff's service both made for a comfortable, easy meal.

For anyone looking for a top Chinese restaurant in Gaegeum-dong, or for days like mine when I suddenly crave Chinese food while passing by, I'd head here without hesitation! Totally satisfied~♥

• Surabanjeom Gaya Branch
• Address: 143 Eomgwang-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea (lot number: 478 Gaya-dong)
• Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 (last order 20:00)
• Closed: Every Monday