Chinese restaurant in Yeongjong, Incheon: spicy jjambbong at Bongga Gyodong Banjeom

While looking for a Chinese restaurant near Yeongjong Island's Sky City where my family could eat together, I visited Bongga Gyodong Banjeom (본가교동반점). The rich broth and chewy noodles of the Gyodong jjambbong, along with the soft texture of the Chodang sundubu jjambbongbap, stayed with me.

Where is it, and is it comfortable for families to sit together?

The restaurant is on the first floor at 50-8 Hwarangmok-ro, Yeongjong-gu, Incheon. The exterior felt clean and neat.

Inside, the dining room was more spacious than I expected, with plenty of tables. There were also group seats where five or six or more people could sit comfortably, so I thought it would suit a family meal or dining with a larger group.

What did we order?

The menu included Gyodong jjambbong, Chodang sundubu jjambbongbap, spicy meat jjambbong, and fried dumplings. We chose one Gyodong jjambbong and one Chodang sundubu jjambbongbap, with fried dumplings on the side.

How were the broth and noodles in the Gyodong jjambbong?

The Gyodong jjambbong arrived first, and its rich broth with a smoky wok flavor stood out. A spoonful was hot and spicy, with a savory depth.

The house-made noodles had a chewy texture. The more I chewed them, the more I noticed a subtle sweetness and nuttiness that went well with the rich broth.

What made the Chodang sundubu jjambbongbap different?

The Chodang sundubu jjambbongbap came with plenty of soft Gangneung Chodang sundubu (soft tofu). The tofu added a smooth, nutty taste to the spicy broth, making it feel different from the Gyodong jjambbong.

For my taste, the soft tofu made the heat feel gentler and easier to eat. I thought even people who are not good with spicy food might find it relatively comfortable to eat.

How were the fried dumplings and the end of the meal?

The fried dumplings were golden and crisp on the outside. They were filled with meat and vegetables, and each bite had both juices and a crisp texture.

When I visited, they also gave us yogurt for dessert near the end of the meal. When I want spicy broth and chewy noodles, I think of the Gyodong jjambbong; when I want the soft texture of sundubu too, I think of the Chodang sundubu jjambbongbap.