Reply 1988 Jjajangmyeon (짜장면)
Why this food?
Jjajangmyeon is Korean comfort food at its purest: thick egg noodles smothered in a savory black bean sauce that's sweet, salty, and deeply satisfying. In Reply 1988, this humble delivery dish becomes a symbol of neighborhood connection and nostalgic joy — the kind of food that brings people together without pretense. With just three Walmart staples, you can recreate the exact comfort that keeps Duk-seon and her friends coming back to this dish again and again.
🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip
Jjajangmyeon originated from Chinese-Korean immigrants in the early 1900s and evolved into Korea's most beloved delivery food — so iconic that 'jjajangmyeon delivery' became synonymous with rainy days in Korean culture. The tradition of ordering it during moving days and celebrations stems from its affordability and ability to feed groups, making it the ultimate communal comfort food. Today, Koreans order over 8 million bowls annually, with jjajangmyeon restaurants remaining a staple in every Korean neighborhood.
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Substitute Ingredients
All available at Walmart
| Original | Substitute |
|---|---|
Egg ramen noodles 계란 국수 | Top Ramen or Maruchan Ramen (any flavor) Top Ramen or Maruchan Discard the seasoning packet. Egg noodles give the most authentic texture, but regular ramen works perfectly. Shop at Walmart |
Black bean sauce (jjajang) 짜장 | Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Sauce or Dynasty Black Bean Sauce Lee Kum Kee or Dynasty Look for canned or jarred black bean sauce in the Asian section. This is the key shortcut that makes authentic jjajangmyeon possible. Shop at Walmart |
Potato and onion 감자, 양파 | Russet potato and yellow onion (fresh produce) Dice into small 1/4-inch cubes. These vegetables add authentic texture and slight sweetness to the sauce. Shop at Walmart |
🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store
Your Shopping List
Walmart edition
- 8 oz (2 packages) Top Ramen or Maruchan Ramen (any flavor)
- 1 can (15 oz) Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Sauce or Dynasty Black Bean Sauce
- 1 small potato (diced) + 1/4 medium onion (diced) Russet potato and yellow onion (fresh produce)
Instructions
- 1
Step 1: Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add 8 oz of ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet) and cook for 3-4 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Step 2: In a separate pan over medium heat, combine the entire can (15 oz) of black bean sauce with 1/4 cup water. Stir constantly to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
- 3
Step 3: Add 1/2 cup diced potato and 1/4 cup diced onion to the black bean sauce. Stir well and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and the sauce becomes rich and dark.
- 4
Step 4: Place the cooked noodles into serving bowls and pour the hot black bean sauce generously over the top, ensuring the thick sauce coats all the noodles evenly.
- 5
Step 5: Stir everything together vigorously with chopsticks or a fork until fully combined, breaking up any clumps. Top with a fried egg if desired, and serve immediately while steaming hot.
