Savoring Unique Flavors at Yanjing, Incheon Chinatown: White Jjajangmyeon and a Glimpse of Chinese-style Service

January 9, 2024 291 Views

In Incheon’s Chinatown, you can savor various Chinese dishes. Considering that Incheon Chinatown is the birthplace of Korean-style Chinese cuisine, it might be somewhat expected to find an abundance of large Chinese restaurants, and Yanjing is among the most spacious.

Located in a three-story building, Yanjing exudes a grand atmosphere, providing a rather sophisticated setting for a meal. While the first floor appears to be used as a kitchen, the second and third floors are dedicated to dining spaces with well-set tables.

One standout feature of Yanjing is its special menu—white jjajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles), a dish not commonly found elsewhere. Although I visited alone this time, my curiosity about this unique dish led me to order the white jjajangmyeon.

Seated by the window on the third floor, the ambiance was quite pleasant. Despite the warm early summer weather, the breeze made it comfortable for dining.

The representative dish, white jjajangmyeon, was priced at 10,000 won. I intended to order it with extra ingredients if possible, but unfortunately, there was no such option. Consequently, I opted for the regular menu.

The white jjajangmyeon didn’t showcase a significant difference in taste compared to the traditional black version. It had a slightly sweeter touch, but overall, the flavor distinction wasn’t profound. The most notable aspect was, indeed, the color contrast—white instead of the usual black. Regrettably, the portion was not very generous considering the price, leaving me somewhat disappointed.

One interesting observation during my visit to Yanjing was the service reminiscent of what I experienced in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, there’s a saying, “Eat the food, not the service,” reflecting the generally less attentive service. Experiencing a similar style of service in Incheon’s Chinatown brought back memories of my time in Hong Kong.

Leaving the restaurant, I couldn’t help but reflect on the charm of Chinese-style service. It added a unique touch to my visit, reminiscent of my travels in Hong Kong.

“Yanjing Chinatown Main Branch”