Egg noodles and mala soup at Apgujeong Chinese bar Mirim Yangjang

There are so many places to eat around Apgujeong Rodeo Station that picking just one is actually the hard part. There are budget-friendly spots, dishes you've never tried, and high-end restaurants that could rival Michelin picks. Recently, after work on a weekday, a friend of mine wanted mala soup, so we went looking for a place nearby — and found one that also serves Peking duck, so we gave it a shot.

Where Mirim Yangjang Apgujeong is and what the room feels like

Mirim Yangjang Apgujeong is within a 5-minute walk of Apgujeong Rodeo Station, and since it's right by Apgujeong Rodeo street, you can eat and then wander around afterward. The exterior already looks great, and the inside is even better. Even though it was a weekday evening, the place was packed — couples, friends, and even a few company dinners.

True to a Peking duck restaurant, they were cooking duck right there, and it was displayed pretty impressively.

What to order at Mirim Yangjang Apgujeong

Mirim Yangjang, this Apgujeong Rodeo favorite, serves a wide range of dishes, so you can just order whatever suits your taste — but personally, I'd strongly recommend the Peking duck. If a whole duck feels like too much, the half portion is by no means small, so I'd suggest half a duck plus a few other dishes. Once you order and sit down, they set the table like this: sides to eat with the duck, plus peanuts that look sugar-coated.

This is after the Peking duck and egg noodles arrived. The egg noodles are a good-value add-on — the flavor is solid on its own, and if you're planning to order mala soup or hot pot or other spicy dishes, they also help tone down the heat a bit.

How many people does half a Peking duck feed?

As mentioned, half a Peking duck is about right for 2 adults. It can even stretch to 3 grown men sharing, but if there are 4 adults, I'd recommend ordering a whole duck instead.

Wrapping the Peking duck in a pancake with cucumber and green onion is really delicious. Add in the sauce — looked like chunjang (black bean paste) — and you understand exactly why people love this dish. Being able to eat Peking duck this good, at this price, right in the middle of Seoul, honestly feels like a blessing.

How is Mirim Yangjang's mala soup different from delivery mala soup?

We also ordered mala soup on top of everything else. It had a spicier, sharper kick than the delivery versions I usually get, and the ingredients were heartier than expected — really tasty. If you want to try real mala soup, definitely go for it at Mirim Yangjang, an Apgujeong Rodeo favorite.

Why Mirim Yangjang is worth the trip in Apgujeong Rodeo

There's no shortage of great restaurants around Apgujeong Rodeo, but if you want to try dishes you don't usually eat in a place with genuinely good atmosphere, I'd strongly recommend Mirim Yangjang. The brand already has quite a few branches nationwide, but the owner and staff at the Apgujeong Rodeo location are especially friendly, and the interior is beautifully done, so it's well worth a visit.

We actually went specifically for the Peking duck and mala soup this time, but next time I plan to order a wider range of the other Chinese dishes on the menu. They serve more variety than you'd expect, so as I mentioned, anyone can find something that suits their taste. This one officially earns a spot as an Apgujeong Rodeo favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!