Authentic Korean Jjamppong Recipe: Spice Up Your Dinner with Seafood Noodles

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 zucchini, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 pound seafood mix (calamari, mussels, shrimp, clams)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 package of fresh jjamppong noodles (about 400 grams)

Steps and instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the pot, sauté until the onions are translucent.
  3. Add the carrot, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the pot and continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour the chicken broth into the pot. Add the soy sauce, gochugaru, gochujang, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
  5. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
  6. Add the seafood mix to the pot. Let it cook until the seafood is fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
  7. While the soup is simmering, prepare the jjamppong noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse under cold water and drain.
  8. Add the cooked noodles to the pot and stir well to combine.
  9. Serve the jjamppong hot, garnished with chopped green onions.

Tools for making

  • Large pot - Used for cooking the soup
  • Chopping knife - Used for mincing garlic, chopping onions, and slicing vegetables
  • Cutting board - Provides a surface for chopping ingredients
  • Stirring spoon - Used for stirring and combining the ingredients in the pot
  • Soup ladle - Used for serving the jjamppong into bowls
  • Strainer - Used for rinsing and draining the cooked noodles

Recipe variations

  • Vegetarian option: Omit the seafood mix and substitute with tofu or tempeh for protein.
  • Spicier version: Increase the amount of gochugaru and gochujang for a hotter and spicier broth.
  • Beef Jjamppong: Use beef broth instead of chicken broth and add thinly sliced beef or beef brisket to the soup.
  • Pork Jjamppong: Use pork broth instead of chicken broth and add thinly sliced pork belly or pork loin.
  • Chicken Jjamppong: Use chicken broth and add diced chicken breast or thigh meat to the soup.
  • Extra vegetables: Add additional vegetables such as mushrooms, cabbage, or spinach to enhance the nutritional value.
  • Customized toppings: Experiment with toppings like fried egg, kimchi, or crushed sesame seeds to add extra flavor and texture.
  • Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Recipe overview

This hearty and spicy Jjamppong recipe promises to deliver a delicious, flavorful experience right at home. Jjamppong is a popular Korean-Chinese noodle soup, loaded with a variety of seafood, and often enjoyed at restaurants. With this recipe, you can recreate this rich and spicy dish in your own kitchen. The process is quite simple, involving the sautéing of vegetables, simmering of broth, and boiling of noodles, with the result being a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal. The recipe takes about 40 minutes to prepare, offering a quick and easy way to enjoy this traditional dish anytime you crave it. So, get your ingredients ready, and let's begin the cooking journey.

Common questions

  1. Can I use different types of seafood?
    Absolutely! Feel free to use your preferred seafood mix or individual seafood ingredients such as shrimp, clams, mussels, or squid based on your taste preferences.
  2. Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
    Yes, you can make a vegetarian or vegan version of jjamppong by omitting the seafood and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add tofu or soy protein as a substitute for the seafood.
  3. Can I adjust the level of spiciness?
    Yes, you can adjust the spiciness of jjamppong according to your preference. Increase or decrease the amount of gochugaru (Korean chili powder) and gochujang (Korean chili paste) to achieve your desired level of spiciness.
  4. Is there a substitute for gochujang?
    If you can't find gochujang, you can substitute it with a mixture of miso paste and red pepper flakes. Start with a tablespoon of miso paste and add red pepper flakes gradually until you reach the desired flavor and spiciness.
  5. Can I make jjamppong ahead of time?
    Jjamppong is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make the broth ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the broth and add the seafood and noodles.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large pot - For cooking the soup and accommodating all the ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon - Ideal for stirring and mixing the soup without scratching the pot.
  • Knife - For mincing garlic, chopping onion, and slicing vegetables.
  • Cutting board - To provide a stable surface for chopping and slicing.
  • Soup ladle - For serving the jjamppong into bowls.
  • Soup bowls - The ideal vessel for serving the hot and flavorful jjamppong.
  • Chopsticks - Traditional utensil for enjoying the noodles and seafood in the soup.
  • Garnish plate - Optional for presenting the chopped green onions as a garnish.

Origin stories

Jjamppong, a spicy seafood noodle soup, is a beloved dish in South Korea. However, its origins are traced back to China. Chinese laborers who came to Korea during the late 19th and early 20th centuries adapted their native cuisine to the local Korean palate, resulting in "Chinatown" cuisine or "Chinese Korean" cuisine. Jjamppong is a shining example of this, as the dish combines the bold flavors of Chinese Szechuan cuisine and the spicy and tangy taste loved by Koreans. Interestingly, the name "jjamppong" is said to come from the Japanese word "chanpon," which means "mixing various things." Despite its international roots, jjamppong is now a classic Korean dish enjoyed by many.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.