Did you know that you can already prepare and enjoy the taste (sort of) of Jajangmyeon using only four ingredients and in just less than 10 minutes?
Chapagetti is the answer to your cravings!
What does chapagetti taste like?
Short answer:
It has the same level of sweetness as Jajangmyeon. However, its spice level and saltiness are considered to be milder. Also, it’s less chewy than the noodles of the traditional dish.
If you wish to know more things about chapagetti, keep on reading!
In this article, we’ll also talk about:
- What is Chapagetti (and what’s inside it)?
- What does Chapagetti taste like?
- How to prepare Chapagetti?
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get this party started!
What is Chapagetti?
Chapagetti is an instant noodle that is considered a fusion of Chajang (Chinese black soybean paste) and spaghetti noodles. The instant noodle is a product of Nongshim (a famous Korean brand) and is one of the top 10 most famous instant noodles in the country. (*)
It’s the second highest-selling instant noodles brand in Korea, next to Shin Ramyun.\
Did You Know?
Chapagetti was first discharged on March 19, 1984, in South Korea, so it has been in the market for almost three decades now.
What’s Inside Chapagetti?
So what can you expect when you buy a sachet of Chapagetti? Here are the items that you’ll see inside:
1. Noodles
One of the things that Nongshim is proud of is their high-quality noodles formulated to be extra filling, and delicious, and can match the different sauces of their products.
In the case of Chapagetti, they decided to go for thick noodles as this is one of the characteristics that the Chajangmyun/ Jajangmyeon dish is known to possess.
2. Granular Sauce
Of course, the noodles come with a black bean sauce, which is also a quintessential part of the Chanjangmyun dish.
Since Chapagetti is an instant noodle product, its sauce doesn’t come in the thick and viscous black bean sauce.
Instead, you can find it in granular form. When mixed with water, it produces a sauce similar to that of traditional black bean sauce.
3. Vegetable Mix
The traditional Chajangmyun has diced pork and chopped vegetable toppings to make it a well-rounded meal
To give you a similar experience as much as possible, Nongshim came up with the Vegetable mix, which consists of carrots, onions, and dried potato chunks and flakes.
Jajangmyeon vs Chapagetti: Is Chapagetti the Same as Jajangmyeon?
No, it isn’t.
But here’s the deal: Chapagetti is an instant noodle formulated to resemble the flavors of Jajangmyeon, so if you’re craving jajangmyeon but don’t have the time to prepare one, this is your next best option.
What Does Chapagetti Taste Like?
Fun fact:
Chapagetti is a portmanteau of Chajangmyun (black bean sauce) and spaghetti. Considering this, it’s safe to say that Chapagetti tastes sweet, salty, and slightly spicy like the black bean sauce and the thick and chewy noodles of spaghetti.
Does Chapagetti Taste Like Jajangmyeon?
It’s the instant noodle that tastes the closest to Jajangmyeon. However, few tweaks have been made to make its preparation more convenient. As a result, some of the depth, texture, and flavor of the traditional Jajangmyeon have been sacrificed.
It has the sweetness of onions that jajangmyeon is known for. However, it’s not as salty and spicy as the traditional dish is. In short, it has a milder flavor than the original.
Another notable difference is the sauce is not as thick, so you can expect it to have a runny and thinner consistency, but the good news is it still coats the noodles pretty well.
Last but not least, even though the noodles of Chapagetti are thick and chewy, it’s not as chewy as the original recipe.
Learn more: Is Chapagetti good? What Does Jajangmyeon Taste Like?
How to Cook Chapagetti?
Even though there are differences in the texture and taste of Chapagetti and Jajangmyeon (which is expected since the former is an instant noodle), many people still grab a sachet (or two or three) of this instant noodle because of one reason—convenience.
It’s the easiest and fastest alternative to satisfying their cravings since it can be prepared in less than 10 minutes!
Not only that, there are even two ways how to cook Chapagetti. Here they are:
1. Cooking Chapagetti via Stove Top
You can cook the Chapagetti via stovetop by following these cooking directions:
- Step 1. Pour about 1 ½ cups of water into a saucepan.
- Step 2. Add the noodles, sauce, vegetable mix, and vegetable oil.
- Step 3. Bring everything to a boil. Let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring the mixture from time to time. Continue cooking until you’ve achieved the desired sauce consistency.
- Step 4. Serve piping hot.
2. Cooking Chapagetti via Microwave
For a more convenient option, try cooking chapagetti in the microwave. To do that, just follow these steps:
- Step 1. Place the vegetable mix, sauce, and vegetable oil in a microwavable bowl.
- Step 2. After that, place the noodles on top of everything, then add about 1 1/3 cup of water.
- Step 3. Cook everything in the microwave for 8 minutes (if using room temperature water) or around 5 minutes (if using hot water).
- Step 4. Mix everything well until the noodles are already properly coated.
Pro Tip:
You can use hot water to save time.
In Summary
If you’re craving Jajangmyeon but don’t have the time to prepare it the traditional way, the next best option is to grab a cup or sachet of Chapagetti.
But what does chapagetti taste like? It’s as sweet as Jajangmyeon but less spicy, chewy, and salty than the original. Despite the differences in taste and texture, it’s already considered an excellent alternative to the traditional Jajangmyeon.
So are you craving one? We dare you to grab a sachet of Chapagetti, prepare it in just a few minutes, and have a taste of this popular product. Then, let us know if you liked it in the comments section!
