This is a dumpling that you can easily start with one or two bites and end up eating N bites. You can order a variety of dumplings and eat several plates in front of you, or simply enjoy them with a bottle of beer. Here are some of the best dumpling restaurants in Seoul. Many of them have been featured in the Michelin Guide, Blue Ribbon, and other media.
1. Seodusan Dim Sum – Jamsil
For Chinese dumplings with a wider selection in the Songpa neighborhood, head to Seodusan Dim Sum. They also have dishes like mapo tofu rice bowl and fried eggplant. The first branch is a bit small, but there’s a second branch right next door that’s spacious and perfect for a leisurely accompaniment.
📍52, Olympic-ro 32-gil, Songpa-gu
2. Wonsan Mandu – Songpa
A dumpling shop that opens only four hours a day, from 11am to 3pm. You can feel the confidence from the opening hours. Wonsan Mand u in Jamsil is famous for its flower-shaped kimchi dumplings. They also have hand knife noodles and hand mandu soup, which are made by showing off their knife skills in front of customers (open kitchen).
📍39, Baekje Tomb-ro 46-gil, Songpa-gu
3. Gubok Mandu – Namyeong
Even if you’re not a dumpling lover, you’ve probably heard of Gubok Dumpling at the entrance of Sookmyung University. This Chinese dumpling restaurant has been on the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list for eight consecutive years. Now a franchise, Gubok Dumplings can be found in Jamsil, Hongdae, Incheon, Paju, and more.
📍7, Dutubawiro, Yongsan-gu
4. Tin Dumplings – An Guk
Tin can dumplings are tucked away in a small alley in Bukchon Hanok Village. The bibimbap noodles are also delicious on a hot day, but the root of the restaurant is the mandukguk. In winter, there are many people waiting in line, so be sure to visit in the cool fall to enjoy the flavor.
📍5-6, Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu
5. Johnny Dumpling – Itaewon
Johnny Dumpling has been around for a long time and is responsible for the early pre-drinks of Itaewon party people. It’s a classic place to stop by if you’re looking for dumplings in Itaewon, even if it’s not necessarily before a party.
📍33, Bogwang-ro 59-gil, Yongsan-gu
6. Xiaolongbao – Zayang
Like the other restaurants on this list, Xiao Long Bao in Ziyang has been featured in various media outlets. As the man himself says, there are many places that do it better than this one, but if you’re in the neighborhood, I recommend stopping by and trying it. The named xiao long bao is good, but the peanut-flavored sesame bean noodles are the flavor I keep thinking about.
📍1F, 20 Ziyang Prosperity Road, Guangjin District
7. Five Spice Dumplings – Yanhee
Ohyang Dumplings is located in Yeonhee-dong. It is famous for its moderately grilled military dumplings and the chive japchae and flower bun duo. Other Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood, Ipum and Convenience Store, also have good dumplings, so if you want to try dumplings in Yeonhee-dong, put them on your map.
📍22, Yeonheumat-ro, Seodaemun-gu
8. Paozupu – Children’s Grand Park
Located near Children’s University Park, Paozupu specializes in thin and juicy dumplings. The clear soup of the hundunmyeon is also good because it is refreshing. There is also a branch in Seoul Forest.
📍13, Wangsimniro 6-gil, Seongdong-gu
9. Cheonjin Spore – Buam
This is the place to go for thick, Chinese Tenjin-style home-style dumplings. The flavor of Tianjin Poja ‘s dumplings is plain and simple. Fill up here at the corner of Buam-dong and take a digestive stroll to Yundongju Hill next door for a pleasant and easy fall night out.