Sinsa Chinese restaurant XO crab fried rice à la carte: Samsin

While looking for a different kind of dining experience near Sinsa Station, I found a place that had a striking aura right from the entrance.

Samsin Garosu-gil at a glance

• One-line review — a premium fusion Chinese restaurant that beautifully blends the strengths of Korean and Japanese cuisine
• Location — 46 Gangnam-daero156-gil, 2nd & 3rd floor, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours — Daily 11:00–23:00, closes 24:00 Fri–Sat, break time 16:00–17:00
• Parking/Reservations — Valet available on the 1st floor, supports Naver Reservation and Catch Table

At the entrance to Serosu-gil in Sinsa-dong, a grand tiled eave and a haetae stone statue stood guard, catching my eye immediately.

Walking through a mysterious mist effect and stepping inside, I felt like I'd entered an elegant palace. Knowing a former Michelin two-star chef teamed up with a Chinese cuisine master only raised my expectations.

How do you get to Samsin from Sinsa Station, and what does valet parking cost?

Samsin Garosu-gil is just a 3-minute walk from Exit 8 of Sinsa Station, served by Line 3 and the Sinbundang Line. It's right at the entrance to Serosu-gil, on the way to the main Garosu-gil road, so there's no chance of getting lost even on a first visit.

If you're driving, you can hand your car over to the dedicated valet booth on the 1st floor of the building for ₩5,000 for 2 hours. The additional charge is ₩1,000 per 10 minutes, which is quite reasonable considering you're in the heart of Gangnam.

There can be a wait during peak meal times, so I'd recommend booking ahead through a reservation platform. In particular, if you aim for the first Naver Reservation slots at 11am or 5pm, you can grab a handy 10% discount too.

Oriental-style interior and 7 private rooms on the 3rd floor

The moment the door opened, a dazzling golden dragon chandelier on the ceiling completely stole my attention. The interior, with its black, mint, and turquoise marble tables in harmony, showed off an oriental elegance.

Samsin Garosu-gil uses both the 2nd and 3rd floors, so it's a large space with unusually wide gaps between tables, making it exceptionally comfortable. The hall seats are also separated by tall partitions, so we could chat privately and cozily.

On the 3rd floor especially, there are 7 independent private rooms fully equipped to handle anything from small groups of 4 to gatherings of 13.

It's a really fitting space for anyone near Sinsa-dong looking for a business meeting spot, an important appointment venue, or a quiet room-style restaurant.

Samsin menu prices and reservation discounts

Slowly browsing the menu on the table, it was full of original dishes that crossed the culinary traditions of three countries.

The course meals ranged widely, from lunch starting at ₩25,000 per person up to a dinner course of ₩125,000.

Beyond signature à la carte items like galbi-jjim jajangmyeon (braised short rib noodles) and Beijing chicken, the handmade dim sum stood out.

There was also a wide range of drinks and alcohol on offer.

After much deliberation, we chose the crispy Tokyo tangsuyuk, the Donghae Coast seafood jjamppong, and the savory XO crab fried rice.

Wine corkage is also free, so don't forget to grab the opening celebration coupon for one free bottle of wine corkage on Naver Place before your visit. Also, if you leave a receipt review, they'll give you a refreshing handmade fruit sherbet for dessert afterward — definitely worth doing.

Welcome gonggalbbang (hollow fried bread) and Korean-Chinese-Japanese side dishes

As soon as we sat down, warm tea with a subtle floral scent and heavy gold cutlery were neatly laid out.

The welcome dish that appeared first, served in a rattan basket, was freshly baked crispy ggonggalbbang (hollow puffed bread).

Cracking open the round puffed bread revealed a thin layer of brown sugar and cinnamon syrup inside — quite the delicacy.

The basic side dishes were sugared kimchi, spicy shredded ginger in soy sauce, and crunchy pickled radish, each served in small dishes. The staff explained that this represented Korea's kimchi, China's ginger, and Japan's pickled radish, all on one table. Even a small side dish carried Samsin's unique concept and care, and it brought a smile before the real meal even began.

Tokyo tangsuyuk served in a stone pot: how does it taste?

When the Tokyo tangsuyuk arrived at the table in a piping hot stone pot, we couldn't help but gasp.

As soon as the chef's special sauce was poured on at the table, it sizzled with a satisfying hiss and started bubbling away. A slice of fresh butter placed on top of the sweet and tangy sauce slowly melted in the residual heat, releasing a rich buttery aroma.

True to its inspiration from Tokyo-style steak, the sauce was deeply infused with savory richness and umami throughout.

The thickly sliced pork loin was moist and tender, with the crispy batter offering a pleasant crunch. The sweet honeycomb sauce combined with the butter's flavor made every bite genuinely amazing.

East Coast seafood jjamppong and XO crab fried rice

Soon after, the Donghae Coast seafood jjamppong appeared, giving off a powerful wok-fired aroma.

I went with my partner, and the owner thoughtfully split the one bowl into two (nice touch, haha).

In the reddish broth were plump baby octopus, plump squid, and generous amounts of vegetables.

From the first spoonful, a hearty smoky flavor together with the refreshing umami of seafood spread cleanly across the tongue.

The XO crab fried rice we ordered alongside was stir-fried quickly over high heat, so each grain of rice was coated in oil and fluffy.

Big chunks of snow crab meat came apart along the grain in every bite, and the spicy, savory flavor of the XO sauce clung nicely to the rice. Breaking the yolk of the crispy fried egg on top and mixing it into the rice, then washing it down with a sip of the fiery jjamppong broth, was the perfect combination.

Frequently asked questions about Samsin Garosu-gil

Q. Is it hard to find on foot from Sinsa Station?

A. Just walk 3 minutes from Exit 8 into the Serosu-gil alley and you'll immediately spot the building with the large haetae stone statue — very easy to find.

Q. How is parking and the valet fee calculated if I drive?

A. The dedicated booth on the 1st floor offers valet for ₩5,000 for 2 hours, with an additional ₩1,000 charged per 10 minutes after that.

Q. Is it good for group gatherings or business meetings?

A. There are 7 independent private rooms ranging from 4-person to 13-person capacity, so you can enjoy a quiet and comfortable gathering.

Q. What's the secret to the signature Tokyo tangsuyuk's flavor?

A. The savory richness of butter melted by the residual heat of the hot stone pot pairs perfectly with the chef's special honeycomb sauce and the crispy batter.

What I liked and what fell short at Samsin Garosu-gil

What I liked — an originality that blends the strengths of Korean and Japanese cuisine into a fusion Chinese flavor unlike anything else, along with a luxurious mood.

What could be better — since the dish is served in a hot stone pot, the batter touching the bottom softens over time, so if you want to enjoy the crispiness, eat the meat from the top first.

If you have a fancy meal or important appointment coming up, I'd recommend heading out for a different kind of dining adventure at Samsin Garosu-gil, a Chinese restaurant near Sinsa Station.