Okonomiyaki restaurant in Songdo: soft-yolk karai yakisoba at Jojo

What is Jojo Triple Street Branch like?

Jojo Triple Street Branch (죠죠 트리플스트리트점) is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant that sticks to the traditional Osaka way of cooking right on the griddle. Its signature set for two lets you enjoy okonomiyaki (savory cabbage pancake), yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) and donpeiyaki (pork wrapped in egg) in one go, so you get both value and flavor. I'd recommend it to anyone at Songdo Triple Street looking for a filling meal in an exotic setting.

Why I came to Jojo at Songdo Triple Street

It was the weekend, and I was looking for a cultural complex that works for a date or a hangout with friends, somewhere with unusual yet properly made teppanyaki. That's how I found Jojo Triple Street Branch, which has a reputation as a go-to restaurant at Songdo Triple Street.

Jojo's okonomiyaki is on a different level from the izakaya-snack kind we usually run into. It's cooked at high heat on a custom-made large griddle, so the outside stays crisp and the inside moist. The best thing about Jojo is that it feels like a hearty, deep-flavored meal you'd have in Japan, not just something to go with drinks. The flavor is clearly distinct from frozen products or heavily seasoned everyday dishes.

Jojo opening hours, parking and reservations

Jojo Triple Street Branch is at 121b-2, 33-3 Songdogwahak-ro 16beon-gil, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, and is open daily from 11:30 to 21:30 (break time 15:00–17:00, last order 21:00). Parking is convenient, since you can use the free lot inside the Songdo Triple Street complex.

• Groups welcome, takeout available
• Large open teppan kitchen, high chairs available
• Lunch size-up coupon usable on weekday lunch visits
• No reservations (walk in and wait for your turn)

What's the atmosphere at Jojo?

Right from the outside, the stylish, tidy exterior has a real Japanese feel that catches your eye. The moment I reached the entrance, the smell of sauce and the sizzle of the griddle made me walk faster.

Inside, warm wood-tone decor and an airy hall greet you. The open teppan kitchen is the big draw, because you can watch the cooking from your seat. Just seeing the smoky aroma rising off the griddle and the cooks finishing dishes with practiced hands doubles the fun of eating, and the spotless interior makes for a comfortable, cozy meal.

Jojo Signature set for two: what's in it and the price

This time I chose the Jojo Signature set for two (₩39,000). It packs in the restaurant's flagship dishes: Jojo okonomiyaki, karai yakisoba and donpeiyaki, all in one order.

Jojo okonomiyaki: crisp outside, moist inside, with a nickname flag

When you order, they ask you to write a nickname. The top part becomes the flag stuck in the okonomiyaki, and the rest is used as a coupon. Such a great idea!

This is the star of the set, the "Jojo okonomiyaki," which shows the essence of Osaka-style teppan cooking. It has a depth you won't find in the frozen versions or thin budget menu items people usually snack on at pubs.

Grilled with skill on the big griddle, the surface is golden and crisp while the inside is surprisingly moist and soft, a textbook example of "crisp outside, moist inside." It's generously filled with cabbage and fresh ingredients, so the more you chew, the more natural sweetness and nuttiness fill your mouth. With the special sauce, mayonnaise and dancing bonito flakes (katsuobushi) in perfect harmony, it's a dish almost anyone would enjoy and rave about.

It's filling enough to count as a proper meal, and it leaves a strong impression from the first bite to the last.

Karai yakisoba: spicy noodles mixed with a soft yolk

Karai yakisoba is Jojo's spicy yakisoba, which many visitors rave about as their "life yakisoba." It's stir-fried fast over high heat on the griddle with a spicy special sauce, so a smoky flavor seeps subtly between the noodles.

Its biggest feature is that it adds a spicy "karai" (hot) kick to the usual sweet-salty yakisoba, cleanly cutting the oiliness or heaviness teppan dishes can have.

The chewy, bouncy noodles are deeply soaked in a spicy, zesty sauce, giving you a textbook spicy-sweet-salty combo. It comes with a soft-yolk fried egg, and when you break the yolk and mix it through the noodles, the heat softens and the flavor gets deeper and smoother. The addictive spiciness kept my chopsticks going back for more, so it's a best-seller with plenty of charm.

Donpeiyaki: soft teppan pork wrapped in egg

Donpeiyaki is a traditional Japanese teppan dish of thinly grilled, savory pork wrapped in a moist, soft egg layer. It's a hidden gem of teppan cooking and the height of softness. It isn't aggressively seasoned, and the mildness of the meat and the coziness of the egg blend so well that people of all ages can enjoy it without any burden.

It's cooked right on the griddle and comes out warm, staying hot for a long time, and the sauce and bonito flakes on top lift the savory flavor even further.

The more you chew, the more the pork's juiciness and the egg's softness seem to melt in your mouth. It balances the rich, intense flavors of the okonomiyaki and yakisoba, and goes beyond a side dish to feel as satisfying as a main, a hearty and special dish.

From the very first bite I couldn't help exclaiming at how novel it was and how the flavor filled my mouth. The Signature set for two is generous, and plenty to fill two adults. Thanks for the meal again today!

3 reasons I want to go back to Jojo Triple Street Branch

• Well-made teppan cooking that recreates the taste of Japan: It captures the traditional Osaka method, with a depth of flavor you can't get from ordinary snack bars or izakayas.
• A great-value Signature set: You can sample the popular dishes at a reasonable price, which takes the stress out of choosing.
• An exotic, lively atmosphere: In the nice surroundings of Songdo Triple Street, it feels like you're on a trip to Japan, making for a special meal.

Q&A before visiting Jojo Triple Street Branch

Can you make a reservation at Jojo Triple Street Branch?

Unfortunately, Jojo Triple Street Branch doesn't take reservations under its restaurant policy. You're seated in order after arriving, so keep that in mind.

Is parking easy at Jojo in Songdo Triple Street?

You can use the parking facilities at Triple Street, so it's relatively easy to park and visit Jojo by car. If you're looking for a place to eat at Songdo Triple Street, try Jojo Triple Street Branch, the essence of teppan cooking, and enjoy the pleasure of good food with someone special.