In Gangneung, jjamppong is synonymous with Gyodong, a district near Gyeongpo Beach notable for its food scene.
“Kyodong Banjeom" (교동반점) holds a spot in the echelon of “Best 5” jjamppong restaurants in South Korea. The walls of this small, but nationally renowned restaurant are decorated with photos and signatures of celebrity guests. It even boasts its own line of jjamppong cup ramyun released through 7/11.
Within a minute's walk from Gyodong Banjeom lies the two-story "Lee Man-gu Gyodong Jjamppong" (이만구 교동짬뽕), which was opened by the founder of Gyodong Banjeom. Outposts of this chain can even be found in Los Angeles and Chicago.
The jjamppong featured in this post is served by neither of the aforementioned, but by a restaurant that simply goes by the name “Gyodong Jjjampong” (교동짬뽕). Because of its indistinguishable name, it seems to often be confused for its more prominent neighbors.
A fleet of mussels and chopped squid circled the shrimp and oyster that rested atop the noodles, which are barely visible through the fiery-red, full-bodied seafood broth. Given its close proximity to the East Sea, Gangneung offers restaurants easy access to fresh seafood.
The chewy noodles and plump bodies of at least a dozen mussels had bathed just enough in the spicy broth, to pull in the heat with every bite. When a pile of empty obsidian shells had formed and my sinus had been cleared under the coercion of the spice, it was time to decide whether to add rice to the bowl to finish off the remaining broth. Although it seemed to be a common practice, I was usually just desperate to find some cold, soothing relief for my burning mouth at that point in the meal. Kyodong Jjamppong's jjamppong was always a very decent (but challenging) one offered for 7,000 won (a little over $6).
A jjamppong spot in Hoenggye, that also goes by the name "Gyodong Jjamppong," offers soondubu jjamppong, a version of the dish with the addition of soft tofu. Because the names of places cannot be trademarked in Korea, "Gyodong Jjamppong" seems to be freely used by jjamppong shops across the country.
Which of the numerous jjamppong spots in Kyodong is your favorite?
Or where in Korea did you have the best bowl of jjamppong?
Kyodong Jjamppong (Kyodong) / 교동짬뽕 교동점
Address: 155 Gangneungdae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do / 강원도 강릉시 강릉대로 155 Hours: 10:00AM~8:00PM daily
Kyodong Jjamppong (Pyeongchang/Hoenggye) / 교동짬뽕 횡계점
Address: 30 Hoenggye-gil, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do / 강원도 평창군 대관령면 횡계길 30
Hours: 10:30AM~7:30PM daily (closed Mondays)
Kyodong Banjeom (Kyodong) / 교동반점 교동점
Address: 205 Gangneungdae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do / 강원도 강릉시 강릉대로 205
Hours: 10:00AM~6:30PM daily (closed Mondays)
Lee Man-Gu's Kyodong Jjamppong (Kyodong) - 이만구 교동짬뽕 교동점
Address: 199 Gangneungdae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do / 강원도 강릉시 강릉대로 199
Hours: 9:00AM~8:00PM daily
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