Jongno-gu is the historic heart of Seoul, containing Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong's antique street. The area balances ancient and modern — traditional Korean restaurants, teahouses, and street food vendors operate alongside contemporary galleries and specialty coffee shops. Eating here feels like a connection to centuries of Seoul food culture.
There aren't many Chinese restaurants that do ganjjajang (spicy jajang) properly these days, but I stopped by because the name said it specializes in ganjjajang. The restaurant, surprisingly clean and located on the first floor, was surprisingly good (I expected it to feel like an old Chinese restaurant). The owner greeted me with a friendly smile. The menu is small, but that's what makes it so trustworthy. You can take your own side dishes. You order at the kiosk and they'll bring them to you when you're seated. The ganjjajang is truly incredible value. This level of quality at this price... Honestly, if you're a student nearby, you'll probably be a regular at this place. The taste is excellent, considering the low price. The ganjjajang isn't overly thick, but it's not too watery, either, so it's just the right amount. The filling is quite substantial. The fried egg on top is a highlight.
These days, it's rare to find jajangmyeon at this price, so it's truly the best. You can also get some egg soup. The side dishes, like the jjajangmyeon and other dishes, are just so-so.
True to its name, this restaurant specializes in ganjjajang (spicy black bean sauce), and its ganjjajang isn't too salty or sweet, but rather delicious. It's a rare dish with a fried egg, and it's also incredibly affordable. The garlic tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) is crispy and has a unique, subtle garlic flavor. The tangsuyuk sauce isn't overly sweet, which is a nice touch. With no break times, it's a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal without worrying about time, and it's also great for solo diners. This restaurant lives up to its name, ganjjajang (spicy black bean sauce), and I highly recommend it.
Korean blogger posts. Links open original posts on Naver.
