Omokgyo Chinese restaurant with squid jjampong: Yugwanjang

I stopped by Yugwanjang Banjeom Omokgyo Station Direct Branch (유관장반점 오목교역직영점) across from Hyundai Department Store while shopping in Mokdong with my sister. We ordered whole cuttlefish seafood jjampong and XO seafood fried rice to share.

How do you get there from Omokgyo Station, and where can you park?

The restaurant was in the building directly across from Hyundai Department Store in Mokdong. It was convenient to head there for a meal after shopping.

It was about a three-minute walk from Exit 1 of Omokgyo Station on Subway Line 5. Parking is available in the building, and a nearby public parking lot can be used when the building lot is full.

The address is 256 Mokdongdong-ro, 2nd floor, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. I could reach the restaurant by taking the stairs or the elevator.

Is the dining area comfortable for groups?

The interior was spacious and clean when I visited. There was plenty of room between the tables, so we could eat comfortably, and a large TV was mounted on the wall. Looking around, I thought it would also work well for a family meal or gathering.

Is it open late at night or early in the morning?

At the time of my visit, it was open 24 hours a day, every day. I found it convenient that I could stop by for a late-night snack or an early breakfast.

What else is on the menu besides jjampong?

The menu included several types of jjampong, including ganjjampong, a version with a small amount of broth, and Yongdaeri pollock white jjampong. There were also many rice dishes, so diners could choose between noodles and rice according to their preference.

The cooked dishes included sweet-and-sour pork, spicy fried pork, sliced chicken in chili sauce, seafood and vegetable stir-fry, chili shrimp, seafood stir-fry, pork and vegetables with chili sauce, Chinese mustard leaf salad with seafood and meat, seafood and crispy rice soup, and eggplant in fish-fragrant sauce. Side options included fried dumplings, steamed flower buns, and a bowl of rice.

How were the broth and noodles in the whole cuttlefish seafood jjampong?

The whole cuttlefish seafood jjampong my sister chose came topped with one large cuttlefish left whole. We cut it into bite-sized pieces with scissors and ate it with the broth.

The broth was rich, spicy, and refreshing. The noodles were springy rather than soggy, with a pleasantly chewy texture when I bit into them.

What did the XO seafood fried rice taste like?

The XO seafood fried rice I chose had a savory smoky flavor, with a generous amount of shrimp and seafood. The grains were fried separately rather than clumped together, giving the rice a nice fluffy texture.

The jajang sauce served alongside was slightly sweet and salty. It went well when mixed with the fried rice.

Why would I visit again?

I was satisfied with the food, service, and dining environment, so I would give it 4.8 out of 5. The spicy jjampong broth, fluffy fried rice, and generous space between the tables especially stayed with me. I would like to stop by again when I have a reason to eat near Omokgyo.

What are XO sauce and ganjjampong?

XO sauce is a Chinese-style seasoning made with ingredients such as dried scallops and dried shrimp to add savory depth. Ganjjampong is jjampong in which the noodles and seafood are stir-fried in seasoning with only a small amount of broth, rather than being served in a large amount of soup. White jjampong is jjampong with a white broth made without chili powder, while fish-fragrant eggplant is eggplant stir-fried in a sweet, spicy, and sour Sichuan-style sauce.