Dong-A Banjum
동아반점
About
A long-running, retro Chinese eatery near City Hall Station serving classic jajangmyeon, spicy jjamppong, and crispy kkanpunggi.
Tucked near City Hall Station in the Seosomun neighborhood of Jung-gu, Dong-a Banjeom is a classic, no-nonsense *nopo* serving vintage Korean-Chinese staples. Its interior carries an unapologetic retro mood, catering heavily to office workers on tight lunch hours and late-shift diners looking for a fast, straightforward meal. The menu leans on nostalgia and pantry fundamentals. The standard jjajangmyeon offers an old-school profile—sweet, deeply savory, and slick with sauce that clings tightly to the noodles. For those wanting a fresher bite, ganjjajang arrives with a freshly stir-fried bowl of glossy black bean sauce and onions to toss table-side, where shakers of red chili powder and vinegar stand ready. On the protein front, kkanpunggi (spicy fried chicken) is a frequent companion dish, featuring a crisp exterior drenched in a sweet, peppery glaze that locks in moisture without losing its crunch. Diners looking for rice can opt for samseon bokkeumbap, a moderately oiled fried rice offering glistening grains and clean flavor. The soup noodle division brings varied impressions. The standard jjamppong combines vegetable and seafood broth seasoned with minced garlic, delivering a sharp, spicy kick where the broth absorbs well into the noodles, though some note its toppings are chopped down into unusually fine bits. The kitchen also lists yuksa jjajang, a shred-style meat sauce, though patrons should note portions run lean and the meat content can be surprisingly sparse. With basic sides of raw onion and yellow pickled radish, Dong-a Banjeom keeps operational frills to a minimum. It trades in brisk service, affordable downtown bowl prices, and the lived-in comfort of a vintage neighborhood diner.
Menu
- Jajangmyeon₩8,000
- Jjamppong₩9,000
- Ganjajang₩9,000
- Jjajangmyeon₩6,000
- 맛우동₩7,000
- Fried Dumplings₩7,000
- Fried Rice₩7,500
Local tips
- Lunch rush can have queues, but turnover is fast and food comes out quickly.
- Jajangmyeon is served in a nostalgic sweet style, pairing well with spicy jjamppong or crispy kkanpunggi.
Details
- City Hall Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 11:30–21:30
- Monday
- 11:30–21:30
- Tuesday
- 11:30–21:30
- Wednesday
- 11:30–21:30
- Thursday
- 11:30–21:30
- Friday
- 11:30–21:30
- Saturday
- 11:30–21:30