Paju Chinese restaurant nurungji stone-plate jjajang: Dolpanseok

Jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) or jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) are familiar enough, but jjajang bubbling away on a hot stone plate is something a bit more special. This time I visited Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch, famous for its nurungji (scorched rice) stone-plate jjamppong and stone-plate jjajang.

We ordered nurungji stone-plate jjajang as our main, plus handmade tungbosha stuffed with plump shrimp, and a slightly different mala gyoza mandu on the side. Let me introduce this Paju Simhaksan restaurant, which impressed me by staying hot all the way to the last bite on that stone plate.

Where is Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch?

Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch is located at 8-38 Dolgotchi-gil, 1st floor, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do. Since it's near Simhaksan, it's a great spot to stop by after a hike, or whenever you want something different from the usual Chinese food with family in Paju.

Instead of ordinary jjamppong and jjajang, the signature dishes are served bubbling away on a hot stone plate — nurungji stone-plate jjamppong and stone-plate jjajang.

Parking and seating at Dolpanseok Jjamppong in Paju

When I'm looking for a good spot near Simhaksan, I always check the parking situation first. Dolpanseok Simhaksan Branch has a large lot right in front of the restaurant, making it easy to drive out with the family from Simhaksan or the surrounding area and stop for a meal.

The restaurant also has baby chairs, and group visits and reservations are possible, so it's a great spot for a family meal or dining with several people.

Dolpanseok Jjamppong menu prices

The menu names alone make it clear this isn't your average Chinese restaurant.

• Nurungji stone-plate jjamppong medium for two ₩29,000
• Nurungji stone-plate jjajang medium for two ₩28,000
• Chili pesto stone jjajang medium for two ₩29,000
• Handmade tungbosha 4pcs ₩15,000
• Mala gyoza mandu 6pcs ₩7,000

There's also samgye seafood nurungji soup at ₩43,000, stone-plate mapo tofu for two at ₩25,000, solo mapo tofu at ₩13,000, and shrimp fried rice at ₩7,000. There are also sets that pair stone jjamppong or stone jjajang with pork soup or chicken soup, which is great for sharing multiple dishes when you visit as a group.

Nurungji stone-plate jjajang, medium for two at 28,000 won

What we picked as the main was nurungji stone-plate jjajang. The medium size is ₩28,000 for two. Instead of being served like regular jjajangmyeon with noodles and sauce in a bowl, it comes bubbling away on a hot stone plate, so the visual is completely different from the start.

What stands out most about this dish is that the stone plate holds its heat for a long time, so the jjajang doesn't cool down easily while you're eating. The restaurant also highlights how the flavor of the jjajang changes as it's cooked to order and sits on the hot stone plate over time.

Why the crisp nurungji at the bottom is the highlight

If it were just plain stone-plate jjajang, it would basically be hot jjajang and nothing more — but adding nurungji really makes it a distinct dish. You start out focused on the jjajang and noodles, and as you go, the nurungji soaks up the sauce and adds a nutty, savory flavor.

There's also fun in scraping up the bits scorched onto the hot stone plate, and even after finishing the noodles, the nurungji is still there — so the texture shifts little by little within one dish. If you're looking for something different from ordinary jjajangmyeon, I'd strongly recommend this Paju Simhaksan restaurant.

Handmade tungbosha shrimp toast, 4 pieces for 15,000 won

For a side, we ordered the cutely named handmade tungbosha. At ₩15,000 for 4 pieces, it's said to be 100% handmade with plump shrimp you can really bite into. Unlike the usual thin menbosha (fried shrimp toast) style, it's noticeably thick and hearty-looking, which paired well alongside the stone-plate jjajang.

After all that rich jjajang flavor, adding a bite of crispy fried food changes up the texture nicely, so the menu combination worked well. If you like shrimp, this side is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Mala gyoza mandu, 6 pieces for 7,000 won

The other dish we ordered was mala gyoza mandu (dumplings). At ₩7,000 for 6 pieces, these gyoza mandu bring out mala spice and juicy filling. Regular gyoza mandu are on the menu too, but with so many mala fans these days, if you want a slightly different side, the mala gyoza mandu is a good pick.

Ordering the nurungji stone-plate jjajang, handmade tungbosha, and mala gyoza mandu together let us enjoy everything from jjajang to fried food to dumplings.

Nurungji stone-plate jjamppong, the other signature dish

We had the stone-plate jjajang this time, but given the restaurant is literally named Dolpanseok Jjamppong, the nurungji stone-plate jjamppong is also one of the signature dishes. The medium size for two is ₩29,000.

As it bubbles on the hot stone plate, it's said to start off as a spicy soup-style jjamppong, then blend with the bean sprouts, and finish with nurungji that's soaked up the broth. Next time, I'd like to try the nurungji stone-plate jjamppong instead of the jjajang.

Visiting Dolpanseok Jjamppong with a child

The restaurant has baby chairs, so it's easy to visit with a child. And it's not all spicy dishes — there are plenty of options good for sharing with kids, like the nurungji stone-plate jjajang, shrimp fried rice, tungbosha, or gyoza mandu.

The menu also includes a nurungji stone-plate white jjamppong, which is listed as spice-adjustable, so families can pick dishes to suit everyone's taste.

Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch: honest verdict

The biggest draw of Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch was getting to enjoy hot stone-plate Chinese food that's quite different from ordinary jjajangmyeon or jjamppong. In particular, the nurungji stone-plate jjajang I had —

— let me start with hot jjajang and noodles and finish with sauce-soaked nurungji, so I could feel the texture change throughout one single dish. Add in the plump-shrimp handmade tungbosha and the mala-spiced gyoza mandu, and the combination was varied too. If you want something a bit different from ordinary Chinese food after a walk around Simhaksan, this Paju Simhaksan restaurant is worth remembering.

Frequently asked questions

Is there parking at Dolpanseok Jjamppong in Paju?

Yes. The restaurant information notes free parking is available.

How much is the nurungji stone-plate jjajang?

It's ₩28,000 for the medium size, serving two.

Is Dolpanseok Jjamppong good for families with kids?

Baby chairs are available, and there are kid-friendly options like jjajang, fried rice, and dumplings.

What side dishes can you order?

There's handmade tungbosha, handmade gyoza mandu, and mala gyoza mandu, among others.

Checklist before you visit Dolpanseok Jjamppong

• 8-38 Dolgotchi-gil, 1st floor, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Free parking available
• Nurungji stone-plate jjajang medium for two ₩28,000
• Nurungji stone-plate jjamppong medium for two ₩29,000
• Handmade tungbosha 4pcs ₩15,000
• Mala gyoza mandu 6pcs ₩7,000
• Baby chairs available
• Group visits and reservations possible
• Takeout available
• Regularly closed on Tuesdays

Three-line summary

• Bubbling away on a hot stone plate! A Paju Simhaksan restaurant that gets a unique twist from added nurungji
• Pair the nurungji stone-plate jjajang with plump handmade tungbosha and mala gyoza mandu for a great combo
• Free parking and baby chairs make Dolpanseok Simhaksan Branch a solid family-meal stop after a Simhaksan outing