Yeongjong Chinese restaurant for tofu jjamppong: Bongga Gyodong Banjeom

I visited Bongga Gyodong Banjeom (본가교동반점), located inside Unseo-dong’s café street area on Yeongjong Island. I was curious about its signature Gangneung Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice, so I ordered it along with jajangmyeon and tangsuyuk.

Where is the restaurant, and what are the parking and hours like?

The restaurant is inside Unseo-dong’s café street area. At the time of my visit, parking was available in front of or near the restaurant.

The original post lists hours as 11:00–19:00 from Monday through Friday and 11:00–15:00 on Sundays. It is regularly closed on Saturdays and may close early if ingredients run out.

What was the seating like for a child or a group meal?

Even though it was a little past lunchtime, there were still quite a few diners. The interior was bright and tidy, and the tables were relatively well spaced, so we ate comfortably. There were window seats, as well as large tables farther inside for several people to sit together.

What did I order, and how much did it cost?

The menu centered on jajangmyeon and jjamppong, with stir-fried jajang rice, soft tofu jjamppong rice, tangsuyuk, and fried dumplings. The selection was not complicated, so it was easy to choose.

• Gangneung Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice: ₩12,000
• Jajangmyeon: ₩8,000
• Small tangsuyuk: ₩19,000

Danmuji (pickled radish), onions, and chunjang (black bean paste) came out first. There was a self-service bar on one side, where I could get more danmuji or onions if needed.

Our soft tofu jjamppong rice, jajangmyeon, and tangsuyuk arrived.

How spicy was the Gangneung Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice, and how did I eat it?

The Gangneung Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice was the signature dish I had been curious about. When I tried it, there was far more soft tofu than the photo suggested. The broth looked quite spicy, but the tofu softened the heat, so it was less intense than I expected for my taste.

The spicy broth also had plenty of ingredients, including squid and mushrooms. It felt like enjoying jjamppong, soft tofu stew, and jjamppong rice in one bowl.

The rice came separately. I first ate spoonfuls of tofu and broth, then had some rice alongside it, and finally mixed the rice into the broth. Of everything we ordered, the soft tofu jjamppong rice is the one I would recommend.

Did the child who could not eat spicy food enjoy the jajangmyeon?

The jajangmyeon had a fried egg on top of its glossy sauce. The sauce was neither overly sweet nor salty, and it was just rich enough to eat comfortably.

The child, who could not eat the spicy jjamppong, enjoyed the jajangmyeon. It did not feel greasy to me either, and the fried egg made it a filling meal.

How much came in the small tangsuyuk, and what was the meat like?

We ordered the small tangsuyuk, and it came generously piled on the plate. The meat inside the batter was fairly thick, so its texture came through clearly when I bit into it. The outside was lightly crisp, while the inside was moist and pleasantly chewy.

The sauce was not overly sweet, with a balanced sweet-and-tangy flavor. Even when I dipped the pieces generously, I did not find it cloying and enjoyed it through the end.

What stood out after finishing the meal?

They gave us yogurt at the end of the meal, which was a nice palate cleanser.

I was told that, instead of using pre-made noodles, they blend, age, and make the noodles themselves. Even while eating, I noticed that the noodles did not soften easily and had a chewy, springy texture. Diners continued to come in even after mealtime had passed, but the owner and staff were kind, so we ate comfortably.