Korean Mandu Dumplings
Insadong is a very touristy area in Seoul, yet there’s also loads of local Korean business professionals that flock to the area for lunch.
One tiny little restaurant down a small alleyway off Insadong’s walking street gets more than its share of customers, a line of hungry people willing to wait for their mandu dumplings.
Since I sometimes judge a restaurant by the people eating there, and this time I knew it would be a great idea to join the line and get a taste for myself.
Waiting for my dumplings in Insadong
Let me tell you: The wait was worth it.
Their menu was simple, a few dishes and soups, but it appeared the majority came to eat nothing other than their wondrous Korean mandu dumplings.
The kitchen was set half inside and half spilling onto the walkway where porky fumes of steam were released.
The mandu mixed platter!
With just about all South Korean food in Seoul, tantalizing food photographs of the items on their menu were plastered all over the walls of the eatery, making it simple to point and choose what to order.
Not being able to make the decision between deep fried or steamed dumplings, I was pleased to find the mixed mandu platter on their menu.
Cutting up the dumplings with my scissors!
While some menus with arousing food photos of their dishes can be deceiving, at this Insadong mandu joint, the food was even more attractive in reality than in the photo-shopped images on the menu!
Within seconds, my plate of dumplings arrived at the bar-like communal table I was sitting at. The dumplings were huge, almost croissant sized.
Price for the platter: 7,000 Won
Steamed Korean Mandu
Each and every dumpling appeared to be flawlessly made, it was indeed obvious the ladies forming the mandu knew a few things about sealing a dumpling!
How to get there:
I’m not sure of the name of this place, but here’s how to get there.
First get to Insadong’s walking street by taking the subway to Anguk Station, Exit #6.
Somewhere in the middle of the walking street, turn down the alley at Insadong 9-gil. You’ll see the mandu restaurant about 20 meters down the alleyway.
Arrive at lunch for the best meal!
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I’m definitely going to try this place out. The best mandu I’ve found in Korea so far is only a couple blocks from this place!
Jeff recently posted..How to Choose a Temple Stay in Korea
Ah cool, let me know how you like this place!
Yum. You are making me want to head back to South Korea. Or at least to the towns south of San Francisco, where we have good enough Korean food to provide a fix!
Lauren, Ephemerratic recently posted..Eating on the cheap at the Pisac Sunday Market
Thanks for checking this out Lauren. Yah, I know there’s some authentic and delicious Korean food in California too!
Oh man, I’m totally going here immediately! Thanks, Mark!
Rachel recently posted..Our 7 Super Shots
Great Rachel, let me know what you think about it!
Ok, the place is called Bukchon Son (Handmade) Mandu – the script on the sign is really stylized so it was hard to tell! Anyway, it was tasty! The mandu are huge there! I really loved the fried ones. Next time you’re in Seoul you should try JSP Wangmandu which is right outside of Jongno-3-ga exit 5. I think their steamed dumplings are just a bit better.
Rachel recently posted..A Day at the Races
Cool, awesome to hear you went Rachel. I think I actually saw that other place for mandu right out the Jongno-3-ga exit and I took a photo, but didn’t eat there. I was very tempted though – hopefully next time. Thanks for sharing!
Why do I read your posts? WHY!?! They always make me salivate.
Keep it up!
Sincerely, You’re Pavlovian dog
PS: The map is a fantastic addition to the post
Maria recently posted..When a Stranger Calls
Thank you Maria! I appreciate you checking out my articles and glad to know that the maps are a great addition!
I prefer a really small menu, even places that only sell one thing. I say make what you are best at and stop there. I don’t need choices that aren’t as good.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Friday: Where to eat in Hana?
I agree Ayngelina, better to have a small menu with perfected dishes than a large mediocre menu… also it’s just easier to choose what to eat!