Inspired by a One-Word Text: Jjamppong

This is my tenth offering in the 2025 Alphabet Challenge, our second year of working our way through the alphabet with recipes. We post every other week for the entire alphabet and this is year two. Thanks for starting this series, Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm.

J is for...

• Jeerem Meerem Powder/Cladin Masala-Homemade by Sneha’s Recipe

• Easy Crock Pot Chicken Jambalaya by Blogghetti

• Armenian Jajukh Salad by Mayuri’s Jikoni

• Creamy Jalapeno Corn by Jolene’s Recipe Journal

• Small Batch Strawberry Jam by Food Lust People Love

• Jollof Rice by A Messy Kitchen

• Thai-Style Turkey and Jasmine Rice Soup by Karen’s Kitchen Stories

• Inspired by a One-Word Text: Jjamppong by Culinary Cam (you're here)

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken by A Day in the Life on the Farm

• Sweet & Spicy Jalapeño Canned Tomato Salsa by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice

Let me start with this: unfortunately this post doesn't contain a recipe. But it does explain why I am on a journey to make this Korean dish. Soon!

One-Word Text

Back in December, R drove up to San Jose to meet one of his friends. They went to a Korean noodle house and he ordered Jjamppong. Then he sent me that one word in a text. No photo. No explanation. But I know what that means. Whenever anyone in my family does that it means: look this dish up and replicate it, please. Now. We have an understanding!

So I went down the Jjamppong rabbit hole. Jjamppong is a Chinese-style Korean noodle soup full of veggies and seafood in a pork-based broth.

My Attempts and Research

My first attempt was declared: okay, but not quite right. I had used clams instead of mussels and R definitely missed the flavor of the shellfish. My second attempt used mussels but lacked the spice R said it needed. Also, he said my noodles weren't quite right.

When we were in the Bay Area to pick up D before Spring Break, R and I went to the restaurant that was responsible for this research. This was the bowl. I asked the waiter about the noodles. They make them in-house with a mixture of wheat flour and sweet potato flour. Hmm...so, not gluten-free. I definitely need a different option for Jake.

Then we went to one of our favorite Korean restaurants here in town and I saw it on the menu. I had never seen it on the menu before! So we ordered it.

Now that I have sampled a few different bowls and gotten feedback from R, I feel more confident in attempting Jjamppong again. You know the saying: third time's the charm! One can always hope.

If you have successfully made this dish, I'd love any tips. Or if you also love Jjamppong, tell me what you love about it. Maybe I will incorporate your suggestions into my next batch.

Just to inspire you to cook through the alphabet. Here's some inspiration!

This Time Last Year...

My posts are below with links to everyone else's recipes. I skipped letter 'F' apparently. Enjoy!

• A Reclaimed Æbleskiver Pan + Æbleskiver Bread Pudding

• Börek with a California Twist

• Crab-Stuffed Ravioli

• Dark Chocolate-Juniper Panna Cotta

• Elderflower & Roasted Strawberry Layer Cake

• Aïgo Bouido (Provençal Garlic Soup)

• Halva with Fiori di Sicilia

• I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Saffron-Cardamom Ice Cream

• Bulgogi-Inspired Oven Beef Jerky

So Far This Year...

Again: my posts are below with links to everyone else's recipes.

• The Polarizing Anchovy + Egg Salad Niçoise

• A Belated Birthday Bûche De Noël (Yule Log)

• Lemon Lavender Blackberry Cake

• Gluten-Free Crystal Dumplings in Noodle Soup

• A Dozen Eggs - Stuffed, Scotch, Curried, and More

• Fig Leaf-Wrapped Cheese

• Garlicky Fregola with Edamame, Mint, and Ricotta

• Huckleberry & Earl Grey Tea Cakes

• Es Teler (Indonesian Drunk Ice)

That's a wrap for my offering for the letter 'j'. We will be back in two weeks with the letter 'k'. Stay tuned!