Baby-friendly dumpling hot pot after sports day, Jongno: Jongga Mandu

Why we went to Jongga Mandu in Jongno 3-ga after the baby's sports day

In October 2026, on the day of the baby's sports day, I had dumpling hot pot at Jongga Mandu in Jongno 3-ga with Mom and the baby. Sports day was fun, but afterwards I was so wiped out, hahaha. It was chilly and I was craving something hot and soupy, and I figured the baby would eat dumpling hot pot well, so I picked it.

Jongga Mandu location and opening hours

Jongga Mandu is at 88 Supyo-ro, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 311 m from Exit 15 of Jongno 3-ga Station. Hours are Mon–Sat 11:00–21:30 (break time 15:30–17:00) and Sunday 11:00–15:30.

It was right near Cheonggyecheon, about halfway between Jongno 3-ga Station and Euljiro 3-ga Station. Jonggak Station isn't far either!

What is the atmosphere like inside Jongga Mandu?

Once inside, I could see them making the dumplings by hand, which got me even more excited haha. With dumplings the filling matters, and so do the wrapper and the texture, so seeing them made right there made me even more curious about the hot pot, haha.

The restaurant is on the roomy side, and even though we went a little after lunchtime, there were quite a lot of diners. I heard there's a wait at mealtimes, so yes, a proper Jongno 3-ga favorite..!

Does Jongga Mandu have a baby chair and baby tableware?

Jongga Mandu had a baby chair and baby tableware! Dumpling hot pot is a dish that works well to share with a baby, so it was a good place to go with a little one haha. The owner and staff were all kind too!

Jongga Mandu menu and the half-and-half broth hot pot we ordered

True to a dumpling specialist, the menu is led by dumpling hot pot, and the sides are dumplings too. I wanted spicy broth and also clear broth, and there was a half-and-half broth hot pot, so I ordered that.

The basic side dishes were crunchy kimchi and pickled radish, and if you need extra sides or anything else, you can grab them from the self-serve bar.

How does the half-and-half broth dumpling hot pot come out?

The half-and-half broth dumpling hot pot at Jongga Mandu came split into one spicy broth and one clear broth. The dumplings came half kimchi and half meat, and they put the kimchi dumplings in the spicy broth and the meat dumplings in the clear broth.

Spicy broth vs. clear broth: taste comparison

You add the meat and vegetables and eat it shabu-shabu style, but I'm a broth person, so I tried the broth as soon as it was flavorful. The spicy broth wasn't salty, and it was refreshing yet had a kick, exactly the kind of taste older folks would love, hahaha. The clear broth wasn't harsh either but had real depth, the kind of flavor you keep going back for!

How are Jongga Mandu's handmade dumplings?

We cooked meat, vegetables and mushrooms shabu-shabu style, and also fished out the well-cooked handmade dumplings. Maybe because it's a hot pot specialist, the wrappers were just right and the dumplings were packed with filling, and they were really good, hahaha.

Finishing the dumpling hot pot with kalguksu

Into the broth, now richer from cooking the dumplings, meat and vegetables, we dropped the kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) at the end~ From the warm broth to the shabu-shabu and dumplings and finally the noodles, it was a really filling meal, hahaha. And the broth was so deep and good that my spoon kept going back until I could see the bottom of the pot.. hahaha.

When to go to Jongga Mandu in Jongno 3-ga

If you're craving something hot and brothy on a chilly day, Jongga Mandu is a good pick. You get spicy and clear broth in one pot, with handmade meat and kimchi dumplings, beef and vegetable shabu-shabu, and kalguksu to finish, all very filling.

• When you crave hot broth on a chilly day
• When you want to try both meat and kimchi dumplings
• When you want shabu-shabu through to kalguksu, nice and filling
• When you're looking for a warm meal near Jongno 3-ga