Cycle 14 – Item 265

27 (Wed) September 2023

Samseon Jjambbong

3.58

at Shanghai

-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-

solo

As our go-to neighborhood delivery joint, Shanghai has been featured in 18 posts, third most posted restaurant on GMTD, trailing only Jinmi Pyeongyang Naeng Myeon (26) and Pyeongyang Myeonok (25), though it would rank first if every meal at/from Shanghai had been documented (e.g., weekend lunches).  And yet in all those posts, jjambbong – my favorite dish – has not once been featured, only a stir-fried version (see 12.365 Bokkeum Jjambbong), white version (see 13.006 Gul Jjambong), and rice version (see 14.173 Jjambbongbap) – I think that I just take it for granted and look to post on something more interesting (see also 14.260 San La Tang Myeon).

The jjambbong is graded on GMTD’s 4-point scale, applied to the dish’s 3 primary components.  The final score is the average of the 3 subscores.

BROTH.  Rich, deep seafood flavor, enhanced with wok hei, not too spicy  Subscore: 3.5

NOODLES.  Standard.  Cooked to al dente.  Subscore: 3.25

TOPPINGS.  Plenty of squid, octopus, shrimp, clams, and fish.   Also loads of vegetables, including zucchini, bokchoy, bamboo shoots, and 3 types of mushrooms.  Subscore: 4.0

Highly recommended.  Wasn’t expecting much, as I’ve had it at home many times, never much impressed, so I was very pleased to discover that the dish is way better at the restaurant: noodles still firm, broth still sharp, ingredients still hot.  Final score: 3.58

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)