0 Followers
Zzamong
Master Critic Review
Zzamong
7.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Korean-Chinese spot serving generous portions of jjajangmyun with thick black bean paste and comforting jjamppong seafood noodle soup with customizable spice levels. The entertaining staff occasionally performs magic tricks, and the sweet and sour pork arrives perfectly crispy with mongolian beef as solid supporting players.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jjajangmyun, Seafood Jjamppong, Sweet and Sour Pork
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Servers perform magic tricks while serving affordable Korean-Chinese comfort food
Who should go: Budget-conscious diners, Korean-Chinese cuisine fans, families
When to visit: Lunch for quick service and value combo deals
What to order: Jjajangmyun, jjamppong (start mild), tangsuyuk sweet and sour pork
Insider tip: Single order of jjajangmyun easily feeds two with leftovers
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Western Ave, metered until 8pm. Small lot behind building fits 8 cars. Overflow parking at Chapman Plaza 2 blocks east.
Dress code: Ultra casual - college students in hoodies, families in everyday wear. Come as you are.
Noise level: Lively and conversational - bustling kitchen sounds and animated Korean-Chinese chatter, but you can easily talk across the table
Weekend wait: 15-25 min typical, turnover is fast since most come for quick comfort food
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait, seats usually available immediately
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable jjajangmyun, veggie jjamppong, and stir-fried noodles available. Most dishes can be made without meat.
Vegan options: Challenging - black bean sauce contains some animal product, but vegetable jjamppong broth can be made vegan on request. Call ahead.
Gluten-free options: No - Korean-Chinese cuisine relies heavily on wheat noodles and soy sauce. Not recommended for celiac.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date has a sense of humor and likes casual vibes. The magic tricks are fun icebreakers, but slurping black bean noodles isn't exactly romantic. Better for 3rd date comfort food territory.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - they don't take reservations. It's first-come, first-served. Weekday lunches are easiest, Friday/Saturday dinners expect a short wait but turnover is quick (30-40 min meals).
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely. High chairs available, kids love the magic tricks, and mild jjajangmyun is a kid favorite. Servers are patient with children. Perfect for families with elementary school age and up.
How spicy is the jjamppong? Highly customizable - they'll ask your spice preference (1-5 scale). Level 1-2 is mild with gentle warmth, 3 is medium kick, 4-5 is legitimately spicy. Start at 2 if unsure, you can always add the chili oil on the table.
Can one person finish a full order? Possible but you'll be stuffed. The portions are massive - jjajangmyun easily serves 1.5-2 people. Order one dish per person only if you're very hungry or want leftovers. Sharing is the move here.
Best For
Better for: Best for authentic Korean-Chinese comfort food at unbeatable prices with generous portions and entertaining service. Choose this over other Koreatown spots when you want filling, nostalgic jjajangmyun/jjamppong without the $20+ price tag.
Skip if: You want upscale ambiance, date-night romance, or authentic mainland Chinese cuisine. This is casual Korean-Chinese fusion - if you're seeking traditional Sichuan or Cantonese, head to SGV instead. Also skip if you need guaranteed gluten-free or have MSG sensitivity.