Jjamppong is spicy Korean seafood noodle soup. Try this classic jjamppong recipe at home to replicate the popular Korean-Chinese dish. It’s easier than you think. Use a variety of seafood for a better tasting and satisfying soup.

A bowl of jjamppong is served steaming hot in a bowl with a ton of seafood.

There are two majorly popular Chinese inspired Korean foods: Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) and spicy Korean seafood noodle soup called Jjamppong (짬뽕). If you go to any Korean-Chinese restaurants, you will always find these two items on the menu for sure.

When the weather outside is chilly and dreary, Korean people often order this spicy seafood noodle soup from their local restaurant as a delivery.

Yes, Korea is a heaven an earth when it comes to the food delivery. Anything can be delivered anywhere, anytime. I miss the convenient life style in Korea, which is hard to find in the country I am currently living in.

Jjamppong is also easy to replicate at home. Everybody has a different way of making it. So I am adding my version to the list. You will love the outcome.

Recipe Notes

1. Use Variety of Seafood

Squid, shrimp, mussel are displayed before cleaning and after cleaning.

I picked squid (calamari), shrimp, and mussels. Use at least 2-3 different types to get a good flavor in the soup. If you don’t like squid, then use scallops instead.

  • If you don’t like seafood at all, then this jjamppong recipe obviously not the right dish for you. But I am telling you, this is one heck of good noodle soup that you shouldn’t miss if you love spicy soup and seafood.

If you want to see how to clean fresh squid, check my Korean stir-fried squid recipe to get an idea. It can be yucky, but fun to try at least once in your lifetime.

2. Try with chicken stock as a soup base

chicken stock adds rich flavor to this seafood soup. I found it better than anchovy stock. Either store-bought or homemade, chicken stock will work and you will love the taste.

3. Fresh wheat noodles brings better taste and texture

It’s best to use freshly wheat noodles, but if you can’t, try with fresh pasta. The texture and the taste of fresh noodles make a difference. However, dried wheat noodles will work fine if you can’t find neither of them.

A ladle of spicy seafood soup is poured on the noodles in a bowl.

I have to tell you that it is not easy to find fresh seafood in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. I wanted to make this Jjamppong for a long time but couldn’t do it because of the unavailability of ingredients.

So when my local seafood seller stocked squid (calamari), shrimp, and mussels the other day, I knew I had to grab some before they sold out. Once they sold out, I might have to wait another few months to see them again.

How to make Jjamppong

Cabbage, onion, zucchini and garlic is chopped on the cutting board.

Slice green cabbage, zucchini, and onions. You will also need to chop leeks (or green onion), and garlic.

Green onion and garlic is sautéing in a wok.

First, saute the leeks (green onion) and garlic in oil until soft.

Some people like to add a little amount of pork in the soup. If you want to do so, stir-fry the pork at this stage. Pork will add another layer of flavor in the soup.

Korean chili flakes are added and mixed with green onion in a wok.

Add the Korean chili flakes. Yes, 3 tablespoons!

It seems like an awfully large amount of chili but this is meant to be intensively red and spicy. Actually you will be surprised that the outcome is not overly spicy like you think. This soup is NOT going to numb your senses. I promise.

If you want an extra heat to knock yourself out, add some cayenne pepper. That will bring a plenty of extra heat to the soup. This might help relieve cold symptoms like nasal congestion. It always helped me.

Cabbage slices are being added to the spicy chili flake mixture.

Add the cabbage and onion and continue to saute until they are softened, about 2-3 minutes.

Chicken stock is added to spicy vegetable mixture.

Add the zucchini slices and cook 1 more minute, then add the chicken stock (I recommend to use low sodium). Add the oyster sauce to the soup, mix and bring the whole thing to a boil.

Shelled mussel are added to the spicy soup in a wok.

Simmer for a few minutes. When the vegetables are soft and tender, add the seafood. Season with Korean soy sauce for soup. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste. Now, your Korean spicy seafood noodle soup (Jjamppong) is ready to serve.

Fresh cooked noodles are placed in a blue bowl in front of a wok filled with jjamppong soup.

Prepare wheat noodles according to your package’s directions and place individual servings in bowls. If you can’t find Asian style wheat noodles, use spaghetti noodles instead.

A soup ladle is pouring the spicy seafood soup over the noodles in a bowl.

Ladle the hot soup over the noodles.

A bowl of noodles are topped with mussel, shrimp, and squid in the spicy soup broth.

Take a moment to stare at the beauty for 2 seconds first, to show a respect to the chef. Then start slurping the noodles. Don’t forget the spicy broth. Unless you added the cayenne pepper, it is not overly spicy as you would think.

You’re gonna love this, folks! I devoured the entire bowl of soup in less than 5 minutes. So delicious!

Leftover Jjamppong soup storage

The leftover jjamppong soup reheats very well. Do not mix with noodles before you store. Store the soup in the fridge and reheat on the stove top. Serve with freshly cooked noodles or over rice.

More Noodle Recipes

Korean spicy seafood noodle soup (Jjamppong)

Jjamppong Recipe (Korean Seafood Noodle Soup)

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Jjamppong is spicy Korean seafood noodle soup. This classic jjamppong recipe will make the home preparation easy to replicate the popular Korean-Chinese dish.
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Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1 leek , or 3 green onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/3 lb pork loin, thinly sliced, optional
  • 3 tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1/4 green cabbage, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 4 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1-2 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (gukganjang)
  • freshly ground pepper , to taste
  • 1 1/2 – 2 lb variety of seafood; shrimp,squid (calamrai), mussel, cleaned, shelled, or sliced
  • Wheat noodles , or spaghetti noodles

Instructions 

  • In a large pot (a wok is a good option to use), heat oil over med-high heat and saute leek (or green onion) and garlic until fragrant. Add the pork, if using, to fry with the garlic mixture.
  • Add the chili flakes and stir-fry for 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the pepper. Add cayenne pepper if you desire extreme heat.
  • Add the cabbage and onion to the chili mixture and coat them well. Continue to stir-fry until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add the zucchini slices and fry 1 more minute.
  • Pour the chicken broth and water and bring them to boil. Add the oyster sauce to the soup, and continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender over medium heat, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Add the seafood, season with Korean soy sauce for soup and pepper according to your taste.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the noodles according to the package directions. Distribute the noodles into the individual bowls. Ladle the hot soup over the noodles and serve immediately.

Notes

The leftover soup reheats very well. Store the soup in the fridge and reheat on the stove top. Serve with freshly cooked noodles or over rice.
Cuisine: Chinese, Korean
Course: Lunch, Noodles
Author: Holly Ford
Calories: 578kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 77g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 4280mg, Potassium: 799mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 2512IU, Vitamin C: 35mg, Calcium: 91mg, Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @beyondkimchee on Instagram. I love to see your masterpiece.
Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup, Jjamppong