Going After the Special Jajangmyeon

It was a holiday. For all intents and purposes I should have been at home resting and recuperating from the daily grind. But no, I spent Ninoy Aquino Day with my sister appeasing our craving for special Jajangmyeon. How special was it?

Distance. Gloomy weather. Traffic. Packed jeepney. Aversion to crowded places. Funds running low. All proved meaningless in the face of that bowl of slurpilicious Korean-Chinese noodle lathered in black soybean paste.

We hastily got out of our lair and made our way to Country Mall in Banilad to fulfill the craving. If you want to try jajangmyeon for the first time or are looking for a really tasty one, go to this restaurant we ate at because they serve the best bowl in Cebu as far as I’m concerned. For the life of me though, I can’t recall the resto’s name so just know that it is on the same side and level as Interpace and Union Bank. See where the Koreans enter 😀

It may look like a very challenging or even unappetizing dish at first glance, but don’t let its look fool you. It’s delicious and very filling, no need for rice. Plus, it’s always an adventure to eat other culture’s cuisine so try it at least once.

We were of course satisfied. For 200 pesos, this jajangmyeon is very filling. The noodles are not the instant kind (I hate that!) and are cooked well – not too soggy. As for the soybean paste, sluuuurp! Tastes sweet, salty and, well, soybeany all at the same time.

Sister and I also ordered a plate of pork and vegetables mandu (aka Korean dumpling) to have some variety. It also cost 200 pesos, was all right but nothing to write home about.

Overall, we paid 300 pesos each as we divided the cost between the two of us because, hey, this is the Philippines and I maintain that unlike in Korea or Japan, elders treating the young ‘uns is totally optional! 😀 Sorry Yeodongsaeng, your Unnie needs to save these days.

Oh, you’ll be glad to know that as usual in Korean restaurants, the side dishes (kimchi, onions, pickled radish, etc.) and water are free. Ask for refill any time.

With our bellies filled to maximum capacity, we went home and that’s that. Jajangmyeon get! Do try it and let me know what you think of the dish.