Having just recently checked out Obba Jjajang Express at the foodcourt at Koufu HQ, one has to wonder if there is a trend where Jjajangmyeon-based establishments are starting to emerge in the coffeeshops and food courts in the heartlands. Previously being located in JTC Space @ Tampines North, Jeong’s Jjajang had since moved into new digs at the coffeeshop at Blk 161 Bukit Merah Central — that very same coffeeshop that also houses No. 25 Minced Meat Noodle that is best known for their bak chor mee with a “tonkotsu-inspired soup”. Much like other Jjajangmyeon specialty stalls, Jeong’s Jjajang serves up items such as Jjajangmyeon, Jjampong, Kimchi Fried Rice, Tangsuyuk and Fried Dumplings — just to name a few; other Korean dishes sold here includes the Kimchi Pancake, Seafood Pancake, and the Soondubu Soup.

Making our visit to Jeong’s Jjajang just a couple of days after our visit to Obba Jjajang Express, we felt that we were already carrying unrealistic expectations that Jeong’s Jjajang might have difficulty filling in — little did we know about what we were getting into at Jeong’s Jjajang. While the Jjajangmyeon is a little bit more on the savoury side and doesn’t seem to carry minced meat (instead, they do include cabbage here for more crunch), the Tangsuyuk was the stunner that was especially well-executed. Jeong’s Jjajang serves up their Tangsuyuk with the sauce separated from the chunks of meat — patrons get to pour the sauce over to their heart’s content, or dip the chunks of pork into the sauce instead. The chunks of pork here is the key to how their Tangsuyuk is simply so good — the meat comes tenderised; easy to chew with a meaty bite, yet comes with sufficient moisture locked within, all that while the fried batter on the exterior is light and crisp without being anywhere limp. It is noted as well that the oil used here is pretty fresh; the chunks of pork did not carry any undesirable stench of overused oil, nor porky-ness as well. Pouring the sweet-sour sauce onto the fried pork, the sauce itself was dense and thick but not particularly starchy so much that it coats the chunks of pork without making them the batter then soggy; really like how there is this malt-like sweetness amidst a gingery note that made it rather refreshing and easy to have. Overall, one of the most impressive Tangsuyuk that we have tried thus far.

Having tried quite a number of Jjangmyeon specialty stores in the past such as Itaewon Jjajang, Obba Jjajang and then now-defunct Hong Jjajang, we were actually pretty surprised at the quality of food that is coming out of Jeong’s Jjajang especially considering how they are just a coffeeshop stall as compared against the other names that are full-service restaurants — from the banchan to the items that we had, they do seem to have an emphasis of freshness and quality where most of the elements does seem to be made from scratch. Given how the place seems to be run by Koreans and their passion and dedication in serving up authentic food that speaks to the soul, Jeong’s Jjajang is certainly a spot that is worth making the trip; even more so for those who are looking for great Jjajangmyeon and Tangsuyuk around. Wishing the folks behind Jeong’s Jjajang all the best in what is to come — certainly looking forward to having the Tangsuyuk again, as well as to try the other items such as the Kimchi Pancake and the Jjampong which we had missed out on this time!