Photo: Ruth Georgiev · Unsplash License (Unsplash)
KVIBE IDOLS › Food guides › Korean dishes explained › 짜장면 (jjajangmyeon)
🍜 Korean dishes explained
What Is Jjajangmyeon?짜장면 · jjajangmyeon
What is it?
Thick wheat noodles topped with a sauce of fried chunjang (black soybean paste), pork and onion. It was first sold at Gonghwachun in Incheon's Chinatown and is now the go-to delivery meal across Korea.
How to eat it
- Mix noodles and sauce completely with chopsticks before eating.
- Pickled yellow radish (danmuji) and raw onion come on the side.
- Can't choose? Order jjamppong too and share, or "jjamjjamyeon" half-and-half.
- Typical price
- ₩7,000–10,000
How to order · Say it in Korean짜장면 곱빼기 주세요.Jjajangmyeon gopbaegi juseyo.A large jjajangmyeon, please.
Where to try it
Jjajangmyeon in Incheon ChinatownEat jjajangmyeon where it was invented: the Jajangmyeon Museum in the old Gonghwachun building, Sinseung Banje…
Insadong & Ikseon-dong: where to eatWhere to eat in Insadong and Ikseon-dong: Sanchon temple food, vegan Korean at Osegyehyang, Imun Seolnongtang …
Korean convenience store food guideWhat to eat at a Korean convenience store (pyeonuijeom): triangle gimbap, cup ramyeon cooked at the in-store m…FAQ
Is it the same as Chinese zhajiangmian?
It descends from it but is sweeter and saucier, adapted in Korea.
Is there a vegan version?
Yes — Osegyehyang in Insadong serves vegan jjajangmyeon.
Korean dishes explained
What Is Bibimbap?Bibimbap explained: rice topped with seasoned vegetables, beef, egg and gochujang. How to mix it, dolsot vs Je…
What Is Tteokbokki?Tteokbokki explained: chewy rice cakes in sweet-spicy gochujang sauce. Street-stall vs pot (jeukseok) tteokbok…
What Is Samgyeopsal?Samgyeopsal explained: thick pork belly grilled at your table. How to wrap ssam with lettuce, ssamjang and gar…
What Is Bulgogi?Bulgogi explained: thin beef in a sweet soy, pear and garlic marinade. Soup-style vs crispy bassak bulgogi, pr…
What Is Kimchi Jjigae?Kimchi jjigae explained: a bubbling stew of aged kimchi, pork and tofu — Korea's everyday comfort food. Spice …
What Is Naengmyeon?Naengmyeon explained: buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth (mul) or spicy sauce (bibim). Pyongyang vs Hamheung …Places are long-running, well-known institutions checked against public listings (Michelin Guide, Wikipedia, tourism sites) in October 2026. No paid placements. Hours and prices change, so check the map app before you go.