A Year To Learn Korean Cooking: Jajangmyeon
Today, let’s learn about cooking jajangmyeon at home! This popular Korean/Chinese dish will be perfect for the whole family.
About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series
Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. The time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere.
This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea.
About Jajangmyeon
Jajangmyeon 자장면 (or jjajangmyeon 짜장면) a noodle dish topped with a rich and thick black bean sauce comprised of diced pork, vegetables and chunjang (Korean black bean paste). Often referred to as noodles in black bean sauce, this dish is a huge part of the Korean Chinese food culture, along with jjampong (spicy seafood soup) and tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).
The dish first became known in Korea at a Chinese restaurant, Gonghwachun, in Incheon’s Chinatown back in 1905. Run by an immigrant from China, the restaurant became the home of the Jajangmyeon Museum today. The term jajang (자장 or 짜장) means “fried sauce” and Myeon (면) means noodles. It is not uncommon to see it spelled as jajangmyeon or jjajangmyeon.
The dish started with a very earthy flavor and over time Korea has added a bit of sweetness to it. Depending upon the location you get jajangmyeon, the flavor profile varies.
This dish is also often featured in many popular Korean dramas. Also, there is a holiday in Korea known as Black Day (April 14). On this day, single people get together to enjoy a meal of jajangmyeon to empathize with each other over their lack of a romantic relationship.
Biggest Hurdle Making Jajangmyeon
Chunjang paste is the essential ingredient for jajangmyeon. Fermented soybeans, flour and caramel comprise this rich black bean paste. The biggest challenge when making jajangmyeon is the bitter flavor in the chunjang. Therefore, frying the paste in a small amount of oil and sugar helps to bring about the savory flavor and reduce bitterness. In additon, some cooks use plum extract or honey to bring out a bit of sweetness instead of sugar.
Four Recommended Jajangmyeon Videos to Watch
This dish packs a great deal of umami to it. It is incredibly easy to find this dish in restaurants or have it delivered to your door in Korea. However, there are also many instant versions of jajangmyeon on the market as well to make it quick and easy.
Ready to cook your own? Watch these four versions of jajangmyeon and then make one of your own!
Korean American Jajangmyeon
Korean Jajangmyeon
Americans in Korea Jajangmyeon
Let Us Know How It Turns Out
When you make jajangmyeon for the first time at home, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how it went! If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel or check out our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram, where we often share what we are cooking or eating.
Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series
About Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks)
Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life.
Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike.
Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts.
Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them.
Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures:
YouTube: @kimchirednecks
YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks
Instagram: @kimchirednecks
Facebook: KimchiRednecks
United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com
KimchiRednecks
About Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He's the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com
