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Is Korea’s Most Expensive Jajangmyeon Worth ₩57,000? A Brutally Honest Review of The Great Hong Yuan

Korean cuisine is beloved worldwide for its diverse flavors and often, its affordability. However, today, we’re diving into the extreme opposite: Korea’s most expensive Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles). Forget the ₩25,000 truffle Jajangmyeon at Moo Tan in Apgujeong – that’s peanuts compared to what we’re about to discuss.

The Reigning Champion of Price: ₩57,000 Jajangmyeon

For a long time, the most expensive Jajangmyeon in Korea was found at Hong Yuan, the Chinese restaurant in the Westin Chosun Hotel, priced at a hefty ₩33,000. But even that price has been utterly eclipsed. Enter The Great Hong Yuan, the Chinese restaurant located on the 36th floor of the ultra-luxurious Josun Palace hotel, which opened in May of this year. Their Jajangmyeon? A staggering ₩57,000 per bowl. Yes, you read that right.

Price Comparison: How Does It Stack Up?

You might think, “It’s a hotel restaurant, so it’s expected to be expensive.” But let’s put this into perspective. Jajangmyeon at Shilla Hotel’s Palsun costs around ₩29,000, and The Plaza Hotel’s Dowon charges ₩19,000. Even the former champion at Westin Chosun’s Hong Yuan is ₩24,000 cheaper. This ₩57,000 Jajangmyeon is in a league of its own, even among high-end hotel restaurants. For a dish considered a cheap and delicious staple in Korea, this price tag is truly eye-watering.

Visiting The Great Hong Yuan at Josun Palace

Intrigued (and perhaps slightly horrified) by the price, I decided to visit The Great Hong Yuan myself to see if this Jajangmyeon could possibly justify its cost. Located on the 36th floor of the Josun Palace in Gangnam, Seoul, the restaurant exudes luxury from the moment you step out of the elevator.

Reservations are highly recommended, and although I hadn’t booked, I was told I could wait. The lobby was indeed opulent, a far cry from your typical neighborhood Chinese restaurant. Despite the no-reservation, I was seated within ten minutes, a testament to their efficient service.

The ₩147,000 Meal: Jajangmyeon, Tangsuyuk, and Dumplings

Naturally, I ordered the star of the show: the Truffle Beef Stir-fried Jajangmyeon (₩57,000). On top of that, the server recommended their signature Hongju Tangsuyuk (₩65,000) and out of curiosity, I also ordered Fried Dumplings (₩25,000 for 5 pieces). My meal for one ended up costing ₩147,000, which is the price of a decent set menu for a whole family at a regular Chinese restaurant!

Taste Test: Does Luxury Price Equal Luxury Taste?

Hongju Tangsuyuk: More Style Than Substance

First up was the Hongju Tangsuyuk, featuring thinly sliced pork belly fried and coated in a red wine and hong vinegar sauce. Visually stunning, it unfortunately lacked in flavor. The ‘meat’ was almost nonexistent, feeling more like fried batter. The sauce was intensely sweet, reminiscent of overly reduced honey or corn syrup, sticking to my teeth unpleasantly. It even hardened to a candy-like texture after a few minutes. To my surprise, it was served with pickled lychee tomatoes – which were frankly, off-puttingly strange. An indefinable, unpleasant taste that I hope to never encounter again.

Fried Dumplings: Decent, But Not ₩5,000 a Piece Decent

The Fried Dumplings were a significant improvement. They had a distinctly Chinese flavor and were undeniably higher quality than your average local joint’s dumplings. However, at ₩5,000 per dumpling, they still felt overpriced. They were meaty and flavorful, but became greasy and heavy after just two pieces.

Truffle Beef Jajangmyeon: The ₩57,000 Disappointment

Finally, the moment of truth: the ₩57,000 Truffle Beef Stir-fried Jajangmyeon. It’s compared to the ₩25,000 Truffle Jajangmyeon from Moo Tan, which, while expensive, was delicious and justified its price with generous portions and fresh ingredients. This one, however, was underwhelming.

It contained five pieces of Two-plus Hanwoo beef, but besides onions, vegetables were scarce. The truffle aroma, instead of being savory and enticing, felt strangely greasy and off-putting, perhaps due to the lackluster sauce. While the Hanwoo beef itself was indeed delicious, paying ₩57,000 just to enjoy a few pieces of beef in a bowl of mediocre Jajangmyeon seems absurd. Unlike Moo Tan’s version, I had no desire to finish the sauce, even feeling wasteful for leaving so much behind.

Final Verdict: Luxury Experience, Disappointing Taste

The Great Hong Yuan at Josun Palace undoubtedly offers a luxurious dining experience with impeccable service and a sophisticated ambiance. However, when it comes to the taste of their flagship dish, the ₩57,000 Jajangmyeon, it simply doesn’t live up to the price tag. While the hotel setting is undeniably upscale, the core essence of Jajangmyeon – deliciousness – is lost in translation.

For ₩57,000, one expects not just luxury ambiance, but also extraordinary flavor. In this case, the emperor has no clothes. You’re paying for the Josun Palace experience, not necessarily for a superior culinary journey, especially when it comes to this particular Jajangmyeon. Save your money and enjoy several bowls of delicious, affordable Jajangmyeon at your local Korean-Chinese restaurant instead.

Restaurant Information:

• Restaurant Name: The Great Hong Yuan (더 그레이트 홍연)
• Hotel: Josun Palace
• Location: 36th Floor, Josun Palace, Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea
• Cuisine: Chinese
• Rating: 2/5 Stars (Based on Jajangmyeon and overall value)