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Is the Infamous 8,000 Won Water Omelette from Jangkkoppang in Gangnam Worth the Hype? Honest Review

You might have heard whispers online about a legendary dish – the “Water Omelette” (문란말이) – that sparked fierce debates and mockery for its price and preparation. Today, I ventured out to Jangkkoppang (장꼬방) in Seocho-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, the restaurant behind this viral sensation, to taste it for myself and see if the online uproar is justified.

The Legend of the 1-Minute Water Omelette

The story goes like this: Jangkkoppang, primarily known for its Kimchi Jjigae, offers an omelette on their menu for 8,000 won. What made headlines, however, was the rumored preparation method – an omelette made with more water than eggs, seemingly whipped up in under a minute. This led to it being dubbed the “1-minute omelette” and ridiculed as overpriced and low-quality, even compared to “luxury omelettes.”

Online comments exploded with criticism and jokes. But amidst all the noise, surprisingly, there were very few actual reviews from people who had actually tried it. Most online videos just showed the omelette-making process, not a genuine taste test. Intrigued by this internet phenomenon and puzzled by the intense reaction, I decided to visit Jangkkoppang and give the infamous Water Omelette a try.

Jangkkoppang: Location and Atmosphere

Jangkkoppang is located in Seocho-dong, Seoul. It’s a casual Korean restaurant specializing in Kimchi Jjigae, with other popular dishes like Charcoal Grilled Pork and, of course, the Water Omelette. The atmosphere is typical of a local eatery, nothing fancy, but comfortable enough for a quick and hearty meal.

General Rating: Based on my experience and the overall vibe, I’d give Jangkkoppang a 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s a decent, no-frills restaurant serving comforting Korean home-style food, but not particularly outstanding or deserving of extreme praise or criticism.

The 8,000 Won Water Omelette: Taste and Reality

Ordering the Kimchi Jjigae (8,000 won) and the Water Omelette (8,000 won), I was amazed by the speed. The omelette arrived practically instantly, just as rumored – it was indeed incredibly fast. While I couldn’t bring myself to directly ask the chef about the water-to-egg ratio while they were cooking, the speed of preparation certainly hinted at a simplified, quick method.

Now, for the taste. To be honest, it tasted… like a regular omelette. Despite the “Water Omelette” moniker and the online frenzy, the texture and flavor weren’t drastically different from any other omelette I’ve had. It wasn’t watery or bland as some might expect. It was just a standard omelette, perfectly acceptable as a side dish for two.

The portion size was also reasonable for two people as a side dish. It was certainly larger than the small, often overpriced omelettes you might find in bars or pubs, which often cost upwards of 10,000 won. Even spam omelettes, with just a few slices of spam and eggs, can easily exceed 10,000 won in many places.

So why the online outrage? While I agree that 8,000 won for this omelette isn’t particularly cheap or a “great value,” it also doesn’t seem outrageously overpriced to warrant the level of online condemnation it received. It’s probably a bit more expensive than it should be, but definitely not a culinary catastrophe.

Kimchi Jjigae and Charcoal Grilled Pork: Other Dishes at Jangkkoppang

Kimchi Jjigae: Jangkkoppang’s main dish, the Kimchi Jjigae, was quite good. It leaned towards a more traditional, “homemade” style, reminiscent of a hearty stew made with aged kimchi by grandma. It wasn’t the intensely spicy, sweet, and savory type with lots of chili oil that’s popular in some modern restaurants. Instead, it had a pleasant sourness from the well-fermented kimchi, and a clean, comforting flavor. While not exceptional, it was a solid and satisfying Kimchi Jjigae.

Charcoal Grilled Pork: We also tried the Charcoal Grilled Pork (9,000 won), another popular item. It was a standard, no-fuss grilled pork dish served on a hot plate with onions and chili peppers. The flavor was decent, with a hint of charcoal aroma. Again, nothing extraordinary, but a reliable and enjoyable dish, especially with the fresh and slightly spicy chili peppers served alongside.

Conclusion: Is the Water Omelette Worth the Drama?

Ultimately, my visit to Jangkkoppang and my experience with the infamous Water Omelette led me to believe that the online controversy is largely overblown. The “Water Omelette” itself is just a normal omelette, perhaps slightly overpriced, but not offensively so. The taste is fine, and the portion is adequate.

The real reason for the viral negativity? I suspect it’s the catchy and somewhat mocking name “Water Omelette” and the seemingly high price for such a simple dish that fueled the internet firestorm. It became a meme, a topic for easy jokes and criticism.

While Jangkkoppang might not be a culinary masterpiece, it offers decent, home-style Korean food. If you’re in the Seocho-dong area and craving a comforting Kimchi Jjigae or are curious about the legendary Water Omelette, it’s worth a visit. Just don’t expect a revolutionary omelette experience – it’s simply a normal omelette caught in the whirlwind of internet hype.

Restaurant Information:

• Restaurant Name: Jangkkoppang (장꼬방)
• Location: Seocho-dong, Seoul, South Korea
• Main Dishes: Kimchi Jjigae, Water Omelette, Charcoal Grilled Pork
• Water Omelette Price: 8,000 won
• General Rating: 3.5 / 5

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