[1] Mandoojib(만두집): A 30-year-old dumpling soup restaurant known only to residents of Apgujeong-dong.

I don't know exactly what year it opened, but it's definitely over 30 years old. I remember eating there with my parents since I was a kindergartener, and I've been going there for more than 30 years. That's why I chose Mandoojib(만두집) as the first post for the Seoulmate blog. 

(1) Location

The location of the restaurant can be a bit hard to find, as it is located on the street between the Under Armour building and the T store, as shown in the photo below. (FYI: The current Under Armour building was the first McDonald's in Korea, which eventually closed in 2007 due to rent issues).

 

(2) Introduction

This dumpling soup restaurant has been serving its menus for 30 years in Cheongdam-dong, a neighborhood full of upscale restaurants. The restaurant's signature dish is a simple and neat Pyeongando-style dumpling soup(Mandoo-guk). The owner, Hyun, who inherited the business from her late mother, has been quietly preserving her mother's flavor that was loved by many. 

(3) Interior

The atmosphere hasn't changed much over the years, but it's still clean and cozy. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it's nice to feel the old tradition.

※ From 2017 to 2024, the restaurant was listed in the Michelin Guide every year except 2019.

<Mandoojib Menu>

 

(4) Menu

The dumpling soup(Mandoo-guk) is a light but flavorful broth in which the brisket is simmered and topped with spicy seasonings. If you don't like spicy, you can ask for it to be left out when ordering, but it's highly recommended.

The dumpling hotpot(Mandoo-jeongol 75,000 won) is usually chosen as a dish when drinking alcohol, and the dumpling soup(Mandoo-guk 15,000 won) is recommended for a meal. 

Guk: This is a simple soup with ingredients like meat or vegetables in a broth. It's usually served in individual bowls as part of a meal with other dishes.
Jeongol: This is a richer, communal hot pot stew with many ingredients like high-quality meat and vegetables, cooked at the table and shared among diners. It's more elaborate and meant for group dining.

I usually order one Mandoo-guk(6pcs) for two people and a mix of bindaetteok + gochujeon(half&half 24,000 won)

*half&half is not on the menu, you have to specifically order half&half.

Then, they serve two bowls (3 dumplings for each bowl) as shown in the image below, and on paste of bindaetteok and 4pcs of gochujeon in one bowl. (Total 39,000 won)

One Mandoo-guk split for two

Bindaetteok and gochujeon(Half&Half)
1pc of Bindaetteok and 4pcs of gochujeon

※ If your portion is larger than the average person, I recommend ordering an extra Mandoo-guk or an extra biji, or you can order a bowl of rice to roll in the dumpling soup.

Biji (Kong-Biji) is a traditional Korean stew made primarily with crushed beans, usually in the form of tofu pieces, cooked with various vegetables in a clear broth.

(5) Review

Mandoo-guk: The first bite is very simple and light. It may seem fresh, but after a few more bites, you can taste the flavor of the soup. The soy sauce that comes with the order can be added to the dumplings after they are taken out of the soup for a more savory flavor. 

Bindaetteok: You can also find these at Gwangjang Market, a popular tourist destination in Seoul, but the bindaetteok here are thinner and more crispy. It's usually made with mung beans, but it also tastes like you're eating a meat bouche.

Gochujeon: This dish is made with minced meat inside chili peppers and pan-fried, so it's not too spicy. However, it can be a little spicy for children.

(6) How to Order (Just Show this to the order-taking employee)

<For Two people(39,000 won)>

One order of Mandoo-guk split for two(15,000 won) and
One order of Bindaetteok and gochujeon half&half (24,000 won)

 

<For Two/three people(54,000 won)>

Two order of Mandoo-guk for Two/Three(30,000 won) and
One order of Bindaetteok and gochujeon half&half (24,000 won)

<For three/four people(69,000 won)>

Three order of Mandoo-guk for three/four(45,000 won) and
One order of Bindatteok and gochujeon half&half (24,000 won)

※If you are a group of 5 or more, you can order the bindaetteok and gochujjeon separately, which will serve you 8pcs of gochujeon and 2pcs of bindatteok. Alternatively, you can add just a bowl of Biji / Rice.

(7) How Korean are you?

Dumplings are very popular and accessible to foreigners, so it's not one of the more challenging Korean restaurants. However, the menu is a bit unfamiliar to foreigners like Biji, so I give it 2.5 stars.

*The level is an indicator of how challenging and Korean-like the culture is.

☆☆☆☆☆    - More Korean than Korean

☆☆☆☆       - You are Korean

☆☆☆          - Half Korean

☆☆             - Foreigners who have visited Korea

☆                - Foreigner

Hope you enjoy true Korea!