Hongdae bar with fusion dumpling takeout: MANDOO BAR

Fusion dumplings on Hongdae Red Road

I normally love dumplings, and when I found MANDOO BAR, a great Hongdae street-food spot, I had to go! There were lots of fusion dumplings, so it was such a different flavor experience. I got takeout and ate some right on the street before heading off.

MANDOO BAR visitor information

MANDOO BAR is on the second floor at 55-2 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is open from 16:00 until 01:00 the next day, with last orders at 00:00. It is regularly closed every Monday, and takeout is available too.

I was surprised by the atmospheric interior too. Next time, I need to come back for a drink on a Hongdae date. The owner is kind as well.

The soft café-like lighting makes it great for a date when you are in that getting-to-know-each-other stage, too. Can a dumpling place really be this pretty?

This warm lighting makes everyone’s face look more handsome and pretty, you know.

A cute menu and QR ordering

MANDOO BAR’s menu is unbelievably cute too. There was such a wide selection. There were so many distinctive, delicious-looking things that you can only enjoy at MANDOO BAR—I wanted to try every single one. Everything is so thoughtfully done.

You can order easily by QR code, and they also had Okinawa draft beer, Ilpum Jinro Oak, and Cream Tsingtao.

It is great for a group of four too. I really want to bring a friend who loves dumplings. There was seating out front as well.

The seasonal muksabal (chilled acorn jelly soup) with cold pork is a drinking snack that simply cannot taste bad.

There was a mirror for a selfie, so I snapped a proof shot. I was fasting then, so apparently I had abs. It’s me.

Takeout dumplings picked up on the first floor

Packed up beautifully! They wrapped everything with such care. You can order takeout and pick it up on the first floor!

They included soy sauce and danmuji (pickled yellow radish). Isn’t the receipt cute too? It has a dog on it.

I will sit on a nearby bench and dig in. Everyone walking by keeps looking, but that must mean it looks that delicious, right? What should I try first?

Just the smell makes it look insanely delicious.

Half kimchi, half meat Ppurinkle dumplings

Ppurinkle dumplings

I will start with the Ppurinkle dumplings I was most excited about. Ppurinkle powder makes anything good. That crispy-looking appearance alone has me growling.

I chose half kimchi dumplings and half meat dumplings because I wanted to enjoy a variety.

They were the most special and delicious dumplings I have ever had. I cannot believe dumplings and Ppurinkle powder go this well together—eureka.

Crisp outside and tender inside: crackly, then soft. The juices in these handmade dumplings are still so alive.

If you know MANDOO BAR on Red Road, you know good food.

The kimchi dumplings had a nice spicy kick. I liked that the lid was easy to open and close. It is handy for taking the leftovers home too.

Gyoja with Cheongyang chili topping

They look a bit like okonomiyaki.

Doesn’t that combination look ridiculously delicious? The Cheongyang chili peppers on top kept them from feeling rich. Looks good, right?

Seriously ingenious. It is hard to stop at one—I kept eating. I think even people who do not like dumplings would be completely won over.

These savory, crisp dumplings are grilled to order.

Classic steamed dumplings, half and half too

I could not skip the classic steamed dumplings either. I got these half and half too.

The danmuji is seasoned too, which makes it even tastier. You can feel the care in it.

There was a note inviting us to experience the charm of the world’s first K-gyoja: crisp gyoja topped with original toppings available only at MANDOO BAR.

It is 444 m from Exit 1 of Sangsu Station.