Family-friendly dumpling takeout in Hongdae, Seoul: MANDOO BAR

I got three kinds of dumplings to go from MANDOO BAR in Hongdae and ate them at home. It's known as a gyoza spot near Hongik University Station and the Red Road, but today I went specifically planning to take everything home instead of eating in. Here's my honest review!

Where is MANDOO BAR in Hongdae? Second floor in a Red Road alley

MANDOO BAR is on the 2nd floor down an alley off Eoulmadang-ro in Hongdae, easy to reach by public transit.

You can order and pick up quickly on the 1st floor — MANDOO BAR is usually a place with a wait.

Every item on the menu looked delicious, the kind of place that would go perfectly with a drink.

Inside MANDOO BAR: seating and atmosphere

The interior of MANDOO BAR is a decent size, with about 5–6 tables, and the window seats are great for taking in the Red Road atmosphere.

The interior and lighting are cozy — this would work well for a date or a night out with girlfriends too.

What's on the MANDOO BAR menu?

MANDOO BAR has a wide variety of dumplings by type, plus several other dishes and side menu items.

How QR pickup ordering works: dumplings bagged in 10 minutes

Since I came planning to take everything home, I checked MANDOO BAR's pickup-only menu through the QR code.

As a dumpling lover, I'd heard this was a must-visit place, so I waited with high expectations!!

While waiting I read through what felt like a guestbook of notes customers had left — it was clear MANDOO BAR has been around a while and already has a huge regular following as a famous Hongdae spot.

About 10 minutes after ordering, the food was packed up neatly and quickly, which made it easy to carry home.

The three dumplings ordered and what they cost

• MANDOO BAR gyoza — ₩9,000
• Half-and-half dumplings — ₩8,000
• Meat dumplings — ₩8,000

The unboxing shot as soon as I got home!! Wow — it looks so generous, MANDOO BAR.

Ha — the smell filled the car the whole ride home and it was hard to resist!! No wonder, given how amazing it looked!!

MANDOO BAR gyoza, 9,000 won: between pan-fried and steamed

The MANDOO BAR gyoza can be considered the restaurant's signature dish.

The dumplings are clustered together and grilled almost like a savory pancake — and that turns out to be a real specialty. You get the appeal and texture of both pan-fried and steamed dumplings in one bite. This is genuinely delicious.

Half-and-half dumplings, 8,000 won: 8 pieces, meat and kimchi

MANDOO BAR's half-and-half dumplings come as a combo of 8: meat and kimchi, and the portion is very generous for the price.

Meat dumplings, 8,000 won: the kids ate three each

My kids usually love dumplings, but they ate the MANDOO BAR meat dumplings especially well.

They sat there eating three each with their hands — wow, MANDOO BAR really earns its reputation.

The kimchi dumplings had just the right amount of spice, cutting through any greasiness — I enjoyed those a lot myself.

Is MANDOO BAR worth it as takeout? Next time, a drink in the restaurant

MANDOO BAR even included pickled radish, which is great to eat alongside when things get rich. Everything tasted great and the portions were generous, yet the price was very reasonable, and the owner was kind with nothing lacking — so next time I want to go back and have a drink with my meal there.

MANDOO BAR left me completely satisfied, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a Hongdae dumpling restaurant, a Hongdae restaurant, a Red Road restaurant, a Red Road bar, or a Hongdae bar.