Spice-shy cloudy-day dumpling hot pot, Jongno 3-ga: Jongga Mandu

Jongga Mandu in Jongno 3-ga: an old-school dumpling hot pot spot for gloomy days

Jongga Mandu (종가만두) is an old-school mandu (dumpling) hot pot restaurant in Jongno 3-ga, Seoul. When I'm achy or tired, hot pot is what I reach for, and when the weather is gloomy, dumplings are what I crave. I discovered this place on a walk along Cheonggyecheon, and in the end I recommended it to office workers nearby, who thanked me for it. Funny how that worked out!

The restaurant used to be famous under the name Seonggyeong Mandu Yori Jeonmunjeom (a dumpling specialty restaurant), and it seems the name changed recently. But the taste hasn't changed at all!

It has had a word-of-mouth reputation as an old-school Seoul dumpling hot pot place for a very long time, so feel free to expect a lot.

Jongga Mandu location, hours and parking

Jongga Mandu is at 88 Supyo-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 15 of Jongno 3-ga Station, so it's easy to reach. Ikseon-dong and Nakwon Instrument Arcade are close too, so it's a nice place to wander before or after a meal.

• Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00
• Saturday 11:00–21:30
• Sunday 11:00–16:00
• Parking: There is no private car park. It's easier to use a nearby public car park or come by public transport.

Inside Jongga Mandu

When we walked in, there were already quite a few customers. As you'd expect from a place loved for so long, the crowd was mixed: families, office workers, even tourists. The atmosphere is clean yet homey, so it's comfortable to eat in.

How does the half-and-half dumpling hot pot arrive, and how do you eat it?

That day we ordered Jongga Mandu's half-and-half dumpling hot pot, which lets you enjoy white broth and red broth in one pot. Personally, I love a setup like this. Haha.

One side is a clear broth and the other is red, so it looks great and you can pick whichever suits your taste.

Once the broth starts to boil, plop the big dumplings in first, and when they've cooked a little, add the vegetables and meat. Don't stir too hard, though, or the filling will burst out. T_T

Handmade dumpling taste and texture

True to handmade dumplings, they were quite large and packed with filling. The wrappers weren't thick, but silky and chewy, so the texture was great. The reputation of a Seoul old-school dumpling hot pot place is something else.

White broth vs red broth: how spicy is it?

The white broth of the half-and-half hot pot is mild, and the red broth is spicy but not too spicy. I tried the white side first, and it was perfectly light. It isn't harsh, it's a clean style, so I could keep eating without feeling weighed down. You can really taste the ingredients, and the broth is refreshing, so I think it would be great as a hangover cure the morning after drinking. Haha.

The red side, on the other hand, had a nicely spicy charm. The sharp kick made the flavor suddenly come alive. Still, it wasn't so hot that someone who can't handle spicy food couldn't eat it.

Half-and-half hot pot for spice-averse diners and kids

Jongga Mandu's half-and-half dumpling hot pot is a good choice when someone who loves spice and someone who can't handle it go together. People who like it spicy like me are happy, and anyone who finds spicy food a burden can stick to the clear side, so everyone is covered. I think half-and-half is a really good pick especially for families with kids or when you bring a friend with a low spice tolerance. Everyone eats to their own taste, so nobody is left disappointed. Haha.

There were also plenty of vegetables, mushrooms and beef, which made the flavor even deeper. The dish itself was quite high quality, this Seoul old-school dumpling hot pot.

Finishing with kalguksu noodles

After eating a good amount of the dumpling hot pot, we added kalguksu (knife-cut noodles). A Korean meal always ends with carbs, and for me that means kalguksu. Haha. Putting the noodles into the broth enriched by all the ingredients was totally filling. Even though I was already quite full, I enjoyed it to the very end.

Is Jongga Mandu good for a group dinner or gathering in Jongno 3-ga?

Jongga Mandu is a Jongno 3-ga old-school spot that wins with honest, clean flavors rather than flashy or intense ones. To wrap up, let me remind you that all of this is folded by hand. After eating here myself, I understand why Jongga Mandu has long been established as a representative old-school restaurant of Jongno.

If you're looking for a place for a group dinner or gathering near Jongno 3-ga, it's worth a visit. I'd also recommend it for a family meal out or a social club get-together. It's the kind of place you'll think of when you want a hearty, warm meal. Haha.