Jjamppong Doesn’t Exist in China? The Origins of Korean-Chinese Cuisine

1. Where Does the Name Jjamppong Come From? The term “jjamppong” originated from the Japanese word “ちゃんぽん (Champon),” which means mixing various ingredients. After being introduced to Korea, it transformed into a unique spicy soup noodle dish that perfectly suits Korean tastes. 2. A Style Not Found in China While mainland China does offer seafood soup noodles and broth-based noodles, the spicy red version of jjamppong found in Korea doesn’t exist there. Korean jjamppong is made by stir-frying seafood and vegetables at high heat, then adding a spicy broth—completely different in flavor and technique from Chinese versions. 3. How Korean-Chinese Cuisine Was Born Starting in the late 19th century, Chinese immigrants settled in areas like Incheon and Busan. They began adapting their native dishes to suit Korean palates. Jjamppong is a prime example of this cultural fusion—combining Japanese champon, Chinese soup noodles, and the beloved Korean spiciness. 4. Other Dishes...