Noodle Journey Episode 66: Paldo Jjajangmen

After enjoying several spicy black bean noodles like Samyang Buldak Jjajang and Nongshim’s Angry Chapaguri, I’m shifting gears and reviewing Paldo’s basic, non-spicy Jjajangmen. This one seems to be the go-to option for folks who want a rich black bean sauce without the heat. It’s widely available in 4-packs for $6–$10 online or at local Asian grocery stores, but be careful of price gouging on Amazon. According to Reddit, this version is often considered superior to Chapagetti due to its rich sauce and substantial veggie content. And with a 7-ounce pack weight, this is one of the heaviest instant noodles I’ve ever reviewed, most of that coming from a seriously chunky liquid sauce packet.

The noodles are paired with a thick black bean sauce that includes cabbage, potato, and textured soy protein to simulate meat. It’s vegan according to the ingredients, though apparently some Amazon reviewers are still fighting over whether soy protein counts as “meat.” Sodium comes in at 1,630mg (70% of your daily value), which is a bit higher than other jjajangmen products.

Noodles:
These are wonderfully dense and chewy alkaline wheat noodles with added potato starch for texture. They hold up perfectly to the thick, rich sauce without getting lost or soggy. I’ve always liked Paldo’s noodles, and this is no exception.
• 9/10

Spiciness:
None at all. This is a zero on the heat scale, making it a great choice for anyone who wants a savory black bean option without the burn.
• 0/10

Overall:
This is the best black bean sauce I’ve had so far. It’s rich, thick, oniony, and sweet with a deeply earthy base. The chunks of cabbage, potato, and soy protein give it a meaty quality that’s genuinely impressive for a vegan product. The soy protein in particular is shockingly convincing, with both flavor and texture that come surprisingly close to real meat. While you won’t find the carrots and peas pictured on the packaging, there’s still enough veggie content in the sauce to make this feel like a complete meal right out of the pack. This blows Chapagetti out of the water. If you’re new to jjajangmen and want a flavorful, hearty, non-spicy option, skip Nongshim and go straight to Paldo. I’m stunned it took me this long to try it, but this is a no-brainer perfect score.
• 10/10

More black bean noodles are coming in future episodes, but this one sets the bar high. Let me know if you’ve got a personal favorite or another jjajangmen I should try.

Notes since filming:

This is the gold standard for mild jjajang noodles. If you try this and don’t like it (which is totally cool if you don’t; it can be an acquired taste), don’t bother with any other jjajangmen because you probably won’t like it.