How spicy is the jjamppong in Vincenzo?

How do you assert male dominance in the modern world? Feats of strength and endurance come to mind; like strongest man competitions and the “sport” of weightlifting… but those are too easily associated with dimwitted “neanderthals”, which we don’t want to appear as.

So what then?

Despite how it sounds, the single best way for alpha-males to differentiate themselves from their weaker comrades is by their tolerance for spicy noodles.

Being able to slurp down chewy noodles drenched in hot pepper sauce, powder, or flakes and not break a sweat is the definition of masculinity. This verifiable truth shows up from time-to-time in movies and television shows, like in the 2021 Netflix crime drama, Vincenzo.

Vincenzo is a 16-episode series about a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer, Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-Ki), who returns to Korea after many years spent abroad.

Upon his return, Vincenzo quickly finds himself embroiled in a battle with a large conglomerate and its law firm as he tries to access a secret stash of gold buried beneath a housing and commerce plaza.

In episode 5, there’s a scene between Vincenzo and a member of the opposing team, Jang Joon-Woo (Ok Taec-yeon), who was recently made partner at the corporate law firm, Wusang.

The two strong-headed males enter a boasting match over who can handle spicier peppers. This leads them to eating a spicy bowl of jjamppong together.

Wearing huge bibs, the lawyers of Vincenzo sit down for a spicy bowl of jjamppong soup

What is jjamppong?

Jjamppong is a Korean-Chinese noodle soup made with seafood, vegetables, pork, a rich broth, and a buttload of spice. The soup can made from chicken, anchovy, or beef broth., and the noodles are the regular wheat-based noodles that you find in many other Korean dishes.

When you look at the noodles though, the first thing you notice are the big chucks of ingredients.

The seafood in jjamppong can include shrimp, squid, clams, mussels, and oysters. Vegetables can include kimchi, green cabbage, baby corn, carrots, mushrooms, onions, and scallions. Even though it’s made from seafood, it doesn’t really have a fishy taste.

Spicy seafood noodle soup eaten in the k-drama, Vincenzo

Jjamppong is served in big, heaping bowls. The thick noodles and big chucks of vegetables and seafood are actually very filling.

The level of spice can be modified to your taste. If dining out, you can sometimes declare how spicy you wish the soup to be made. You can also request chili oil so you can add more heat to your bowl.

If you don’t like spice, you probably shouldn’t order jjamppong. It’s among the spicier foods in Korea; enough to knock socks off! Just watch that episode in Vincenzo. The noodle bros were wheezing pretty bad from their jjamppong.

You can also make jjamppong by yourself and adjust the spice-level to your liking!

Taecyeon presses a yellow pickled radish slice against his burning tongue

How popular is jjamppong?

In Korea, there are two types of people; those who prefer jjamppong and those who prefer jjajangmyeon (black been sauce noodles). Both of these foods are very popular in Korean restaurants and street vendors.

One reason for jjamppong’s popularity is how cheap it is in Korea. Expect to pay around ₩6,000 or $5 USD at some the more affordable restaurants in Korea.

The spicy seafood flavor of jjamppong has also found its way into instant noodle packs, ensuring that those who live outside Korea can still enjoy its taste.

Where can I eat jjamppong?

You can search Google for “jjamppong near me” and see what comes up. It’s often sold in Korean and Asian restaurants.

Instant noodle companies like Samyang, Ottogi, and Paldo all make spicy jjamppong flavored noodles. It’s an easy way to try jjamppong if you don’t have access to the real thing.

Jin Jjamppong

Premium Korean style stir-fried chubby, instant noodle with rich, smoky, and spicy flavored seafood soup broth.

Buy on Amazon

Final Words

Jjamppong is a super spicy soup made from noodles and big chunks of seafood. It’s very popular in South Korea, competing with jjajangmyeon for the country’s most popular noodle dish.

If you watch a lot of k-dramas on the TV or internet, you will come across these noodles in a lot of shows. If you like Korean food, be sure to give the noodles a try!