TL;DR: Modoo Banjeom brings authentic Korean comfort food to the table, with black bean noodles, spicy seafood soup, and more. If you’re a fan of Korean-Chinese cuisine, you’ll feel right at home here with their authentic, flavorful dishes.
Full Review:
Modoo Banjeom is an absolute gem for anyone craving authentic Korean-Chinese comfort food. As someone with a particular love for black bean noodles, or jjajangmyeon, finding a place that does it justice is always a delight, and Modoo Banjeom more than lives up to the expectations. This spot isn’t about fusion or trendy reinterpretations; it’s about bringing the true flavors of Korea’s beloved takeout dishes straight to your table, prepared with care and authenticity.
For those who have spent time in Korea, you’ll instantly recognize Modoo Banjeom’s menu. The dishes are reminiscent of the casual Korean-Chinese meals that are a staple for many families and a go-to for delivery. The kitchen here isn’t just tossing ingredients together but following traditional recipes and preparation techniques, bringing a genuine taste of Korean comfort to every dish. It's clear that they put thought and passion into creating an authentic experience, right down to the rich, deep flavors in each bowl.
The menu is filled with classics, and my go-to is always the jjajangmyeon—a dish that’s simple yet incredibly satisfying. The noodles are perfectly chewy, coated in a thick, savory black bean sauce that has that unmistakable, robust flavor unique to Korean-Chinese cuisine. It’s a nostalgic and comforting meal, exactly what I hope for when ordering this classic dish. For anyone new to Korean-Chinese food, this is a must-try; it’s hearty, filling, and deeply flavorful.
Of course, Modoo Banjeom offers more than just jjajangmyeon. Their jjamppong, a spicy seafood noodle soup, is another favorite, with a broth that’s spicy and packed with layers of flavor, plus generous portions of seafood and vegetables. This dish is ideal for anyone craving a bit of heat and complexity in their bowl. The menu also includes a range of other noodle and side dishes, all crafted with the same attention to tradition and quality.
In terms of atmosphere, Modoo Banjeom is simple, unpretentious, and welcoming—an ideal setting for digging into comforting, delicious food. The service is friendly, and the staff seems genuinely passionate about sharing their food culture with guests.
For fans of Korean-Chinese cuisine, Modoo Banjeom is a true find, offering a taste of Korea that’s hard to match. Whether you’re here for jjajangmyeon, jjamppong, or just exploring their extensive menu, you’ll leave satisfied and craving a return visit. This place is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic, delicious, and comforting Korean dining...
Read moreWas really excited to give this a try because legit Korean-Chinese food is hard to find in WA. My Korean friends were telling me this place was up and coming so I was excited.
I think the quality of their dishes is good.
The reason for my low star rating is because their management/owner needs to do better. We got seated at 7 (they close at 8) and ordered a bunch of starters and mentioned to the server that we will likely order a noodle dish later. He comes by later and asks if everything tastes good and I was going to put our extra order in and when I turn back he’s gone. So when I manage to get their attention 5-10 minutes later, and at this point there’s only two tables eating including ours, he said that the kitchen is closed we missed it by one minute, the generator is off.
I would have expected (Is that too much?) that there would be a courtesy notice for all tables that the kitchen is closing and to put last minute orders in. I’m a little disappointed that as the main manager on the floor for the Sunday service that he didn’t follow up about the order we wanted to place later AND just simply said kitchen is closed. I was curious whether that was our bad but there is no sign about when the kitchen closes so I really thought that should be on the service team to communicate. We talked to him about this and he seemed pretty flippant about it.
Another aspect I found a little off putting is that the restaurant is supposed to close at 8. 15 minutes before close the entire kitchen staff just comes out walking out, gets in their respective cars, and drive away. Just thought, hey don’t you have another 15 minutes to work? What tip / service am I paying for? Just didn’t really feel like the people eating there was a priority.
Lastly, thought it was super interesting for them to include gratuity in the bill. There was no apology about the lack of communication, the abruptness, and measures to correct it.
My Korean elders who came with us were flabbergasted by the experience.
I think it’s the worst service experience I’ve had in a Korean establishment in Washington so far - which Id like to think means something having grown up in Korea, lived in LA and dined in K-town restaurants, and have parents who managed a Korean BBQ joint where service and customer respect is the absolute bare minimum.
Seems like a lot of other reviews talk about great service which is entirely possible - did we get the B team for Sunday? Either way, consistency...
Read moreWent around 12:30 pm on a Sunday, and it was quite busy. By the time we left there was people waiting for tables. So come early.
Food was good. The portion sizes was generous and they come pretty quick. Recommended dishes: Friends combo is good. If you go with a small group of 3 or less, combo A and B might be the best to try their variety. Their Tangsuyuk and mala Tangsuyuk is very good. I really like how they deep fry their pork, it's very flavorful and not chewy at all, definitely a must. Their kkanpunggi is also very good. Someone in the group says that the creamy shrimp is also good. Noodle dishes are all good and is worth it. That's why the combo is good since you get the basics. We tried mapp tofu today and it was good with big portions too.
Service was very good. They were very accommodating to our large group and was very attentive!
This is our 3rd time to this restaurant, but the first time in this location. We went to the Bothell one previously. This location is bigger with more tables available. Parking lot is also pretty big and has an undeveloped lot next to it and people was using it as a parking lot to ear at this place. Glad to have this restaurant in the...
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