Sinseong Banjeom 신승반점
[Non-halal] Fans of Jajangmyeon 자장면 (JJM) will need to make a pilgrimage to Incheon Chinatown, where the dish originated.
A variation of the Chinese dish zhajiangmian, JJM was first developed during the Joseon in the 19th century when Chinese workers arrived in Incheon.
The first restaurant to serve the dish has since been converted into a JJM museum, but fans can check out Sinseong Banjeom 신승반점 located close by.
Sinseong Banjeom 신승반점 in Incheon
Incheon Chinatown is accessible by train, and takes about 1.5 hours to reach from either Incheon International Airport and central Seoul.
Established in 1884, this is the only official Chinatown on the Korean peninsula. This area is a popular domestic destination, with plenty of Chinese restaurants and attractions in the area.
Step outside the Incheon station and one will be greeted by an 11-metre paifang (gateway). Aside from the usual Chinese restaurants, there is also the lovely Jayu Park for a lovely stroll. The park is particularly known for cherry blossoms in the spring.
Sinseong Banjeom 신승반점
Operating since 1917, Sinseong Banjeom 신승반점 is one of the oldest restaurants serving JJM in the country.
This restaurant is located just next to the main Chinese gateway opposite the train station.
It is also quite popular as we had to wait an hour for our table to be ready. So was it worth it? The short answer is yes.
Jajangmyeon in Incheon
We ordered a serving of Jajangmyeon (KRW10,000) and Tangsuyuk (KRW30,000).
The JJM here is served with the noodles and gravy in two separate bowls. There is also a poached egg served on the noodles, with runny yolk.
On its own, the gravy has a good balance of savoury and sweetness, and lots of pork chunks. We liked our onions raw for our JJM – so we appreciate the serving of raw onions on the side.
We enjoyed this. The noodles had a good bite, and the gravy had a nice savoury hit. The egg was a lovely touch. The portion was quite generous for the price too.
We also enjoyed the Tangsuyuk. The batter had a nice crunch and we liked that the sauce was not overly sweet. The best way to enjoy this is to dip the pieces into the chilli-soy sauce condiment.
Summary
All in, we enjoyed the food here. However, be prepared to wait for a table during peak periods.
Sinseong Banjeom 신승반점
Address: 31-3 Chinatown-ro 44beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Hours: 11.10am-3.30pm, 5pm-9pm
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