Seoul's Representative Handmade Dumpling Restaurant

Seoul's leading handmade dumpling restaurants are renowned for their long traditions, distinctive fillings, and thin crusts. They are often conveniently located near subway stations, making them easily accessible. Popular examples include Myeongdong Gyoza, Jahas Sonmandu, Gubok Mandu, Gaeseong Mandu Gung, and Chwicheonru.

1. Myeongdong Gyoja (Head Restraurane)

1-1) Features: The thin-skinned, garlic-flavored dumplings served with kalguksu are a special feature. Selected by the Michelin Guide.

1-2) Address: 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

1-3) Transportation: 3-minute walk from Exit 8 of Myeongdong Station (Subway Line 4).

2. Jaha Somandu

2-1) Features: Located in Buam-dong, this restaurant is famous for its simple, North Korean-style handmade dumplings and dumpling stew. The taste is refined.

2-2) Address: 12 Baekseok-dong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

2-3) Transportation: Subway Line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 3 -> Transfer to bus (7212, 1020, 7022) -> Get off at Buam-dong Community Center.

3. Gubok Dumplings

3-1) Features: Located in Namyeong-dong, this restaurant specializes in Binghwa Mandu (crispy bottom, moist top). It has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

3-2) Address: 10 Duteopbawi-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

3-3) Transportation: 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Sookmyung Women's University Station on Subway Line 4.

4. Gaeseong Mandu Gung(Palace)

4-1) Features: Located in Insa-dong, the signature dishes are the simple, unseasoned kimchi dumplings and meat dumplings.

4-2) Address: 11-3 Insa-dong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

4-3) Transportation: 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Anguk Station on Subway Line 3.

5. Chwicheonru

5-1) Features: Located in Seochon, this Chinese handmade dumpling restaurant boasts a 70-year tradition. Their meat dumplings and fried dumplings are exceptional.

5-2) Address: 9 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

5-3) Transportation: 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3.

Tip: All these famous restaurants have a waiting list, so it's best to avoid meal times or visit with plenty of time to spare.

Best 5 Hangover Soup Restaurants in Seoul and Their Features

Seoul's best five hangover soup restaurants boast long traditions and rich broths. Famous examples include Cheongjinok (clear beef intestines), Yongmun haejangguk (spicy beef tripe soup), Yangjae haejangguk (tender lean meat), Pungnyeon Bbaedagwi haejangguk (savory flavor), and Ildeung Sikdang (simple bones). Located in easily accessible areas like Jongno, Mangwon, Songpa, and Yangjae, they're easily accessible by public transportation.

1. Cheongjinok (Jongno)

1-1) Features: This third-generation restaurant, established in 1937, boasts a generous portion of beef (blood, tripe, and intestines) and a clear, deep broth. It pairs well with green onions and cubed radish kimchi .

1-2) Address: 32 Jongno 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

1-3) Transportation: 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Gwanghwamun Station (Subway Line 5).

2. Yongmun Haejangguk (Yongsan)

2-1) Features: A spicy and refreshing Gyeongsang-do-style hangover soup with radish greens, bean sprouts, and beef. It's famous for its early morning opening.

2-2) Address: 124 Saechang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

2-3) Transportation: Near exit 6 of Hyochang Park Station on Subway Line 6/Gyeongui-Jungang Line.

3. Yangjae Haejangguk (Seocho)

3-1) Features: It is full of tender meat and blood, and the broth is rich and savory, so the meat melts in your mouth.

3-2) Address: 21 Gangnam-daero 10-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul.

3-3) Transportation: Near Exit 3 of Yangjae Citizen's Forest Station on the Shinbundang Line.

4. Poongnyeon Bone Soup (Songpa)

4-1) Features: Made with domestic pork bones, the broth is clean and rich, free of pork odor. It is characterized by a deep flavor without being overpowering.

4-2) Address: 178 Seokchonhosu-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

4-3) Transportation: 9-minute walk from Exit 6 of Seokchon Station (Line 8).

5. First Class Restaurant (Mangwon)

5-1) Features: This famous, long-established restaurant in Mangwon-dong serves a light and clean bone soup with plenty of burdock root. The price is reasonable and the meat is tender.

5-2) Address: 82 Bangulnae-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul.

5-3) Transportation: Take the village bus from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station on Line 6.

Updating Explanation of Each Photo and Access to Each Restraurant-Where to Find the Best Kimchi Stew in Seoul and its Features

There are Eunjujeong (Ssam culture, generous pork), Gwanghwamunjip (heavy savory taste, yangun pot), Hanokjip (soft aged kimchi & pork kimchi stew), Hyundai Jeongyuk Restaurant (savory taste with salted seafood base), etc., and each house has its own unique characteristics based on the ingredients and cooking method, such as aged kimchi, pork, and anchovy/shrimp sauce-based broth.

1. Recommended restaurants & features

1-1) Eun Ju-jeong (Jung-gu Bangsan Market):

1-1-1) Characteristics: A unique way to eat kimchi stew with pork wrapped in various vegetables, spicy and tangy taste, and generous portions. It is famous for its unique way of eating pork and kimchi stew with vegetables, and is also known as a good place to eat alone during lunch time. 

1-1-2) Address: 32 Changgyeonggung-ro 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Jugyo-dong)

1-1-3) How to use public transportation

          . *  Subway : Line 2 Or, get off at Euljiro 4-ga Station on Line 5 , take   

      Exit 4 and walk for about 2-3 minutes.

* Bus : Bangsan Market It is convenient to use a nearby bus stop, and there are various routes, so it is recommended to search for the bus closest to your location and use it.

* Parking: Parking at the restaurant itself is difficult, so you must use a nearby public parking lot.

1-2) Gwanghwamun Restraurant (Jongno Gwanghwamun):

1-2-1) Characteristics: Rich flavor, generous portions of yang-eun-nabe, a long-standing restaurant in the office district.

2-1-2) Address: 1st floor, 23 Saemunan-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Dangju-dong)

2-2-3) How to use public transportation:

* Subway: Very close to Exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5. and forward to the restraurant from Exit 8 referring to attached map.

  * Bus: Get off at the bus stop in front of KT Gwanghwamun Branch or at the bus stop near Gwanghwamun Station.

1-3) Hanok House (Seodaemun-gu):

1-3-1) Features: Kimchi stew made with aged kimchi, tender boiled pork, and a mild, savory flavor. This restaurant is famous for its kimchi stew and kimchi jjigae, and has been featured on several broadcast media outlets.

1-3-1) Address and location : 12, Tongil-ro 9-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Hanokjip Kimchi Jjim Seodaemun Main Branch )

1-3-2) How to use public transportation

* subway: Get off at Seodaemun Station on Line 5, take Exit 8, and walk straight for approximately 250 meters. It's a 3-4 minute walk.

1-3-3) Parking:

One hour of free parking is available in nearby parking lots, but it may be crowded, so public transportation may be more convenient.

1-4) Hyundai Meat Restaurant (Gangnam):

1-4-1) Characteristics: Deep savory flavor with generous amounts of salted seafood such as anchovies and shrimp paste, and large pieces of kimchi and meat. t is open until late at night and is known to have many regular customers who have been visiting since childhood.

1-4-2) Address: Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (near Hakdong Intersection)

1-4-3) Public transportation: subway Gangnamgu Office Station at subway line 7, Exit 8 taking about 9 minutes for 590m or It is convenient to take a bus or taxi from Gangnam-gu Office Station , and it is near Hakdong Intersection.

1-5) Jangho Wang Gopchang (near Jongno/Gongdeok):

1-5-1) Characteristics: Famous for its kimchi stew and gopchang, this is one of the restaurants that has been loved by middle-aged men for a long time. Famous for kimchi stew and ‘jjalla’, it boasts a 35-year tradition.

1-5-2) Address: 6-16 Sunhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.

1-5-3) Public transportation: Take Subway lines 5 at Seodaemun Station Exit 7 and walk for about 2 minutes referring to the map attached.

2. Common characteristics of delicious restaurants (Seoul-style kimchi stew)

2-1) Use of aged paper: Use well-ripened aged paper for a deep flavor.

2-2) Pork: Add large pieces of meat such as neck meat and front leg meat to enhance the chewy texture and flavor.

2-3) Broth: Enhance the savory flavor by using salted seafood such as anchovies and shrimp paste.

2-4) Various seasonings: Every household has its own secret recipe, such as grinding green onions, garlic, and onions in a blender.