Gangnam dim sum counter-seat solo meal at Sinbok Myeongwan

I love dim sum so much that I go out for it often, but strangely, there are days when I crave nothing but dim sum.

No other food even came to mind—I just desperately wanted to fill myself up with all kinds of dim sum. Hahaha.

Sinbok Myeongwan near Gangnam Station Exit 1

So this time, I deliberately looked for a restaurant with a really broad selection of dim sum. The place I found and headed to was Sinbok Myeongwan.

The location was honestly amazing. It is just a one-minute walk once you come out of Gangnam Station Exit 1, so the accessibility was absolutely unreal.

It is practically attached to the subway station, so I thought it would be wonderfully easy to visit even on a hot or rainy day.

That location advantage would be huge for anyone looking for a good Chinese restaurant around Gangnam Station. Once inside, the restaurant also felt very neat, with a well-finished interior.

Comfortable counter seats for solo dining

What especially caught my eye was the counter seating. When you go to a restaurant alone and order lots of different things, you can sometimes feel a little conscious of the people around you, right?

But the counter seats here were set up so comfortably that I could come alone and enjoy a meal without feeling self-conscious at all. It felt perfect for a solo lunch near Gangnam Station, too.

Ordering crystal dumplings, xiaolongbao, and siu mai

My goal that day was to properly dive into dim sum, so I ordered all the signature dim sum without hesitation. I chose crystal dumplings (sujeong dal mandu), xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), and siu mai—three kinds in all.

As the food arrived one dish at a time, steam rose from the bamboo steamers and the nutty, delicious aroma filled the air. My mouth was watering before I even took a bite.

Xiaolongbao with rich juices

I started with the xiaolongbao! I gently placed one on my spoon and tore the wrapper slightly, and warm, rich juices came pouring out. It was simply impossible to resist.

I slurped up the juices first, and the deep, rich flavor of the meat spread all through my mouth. It was incredible.

Dip it lightly in soy sauce topped with shredded ginger and pop it into your mouth: clean but savory juices burst out. Honestly, calling these life-changing xiaolongbao would not be an exaggeration, hahaha. The wrapper was not overly thick and had a lovely chew that paired perfectly with the juices.

Siu mai packed with meat and shrimp

Next, I tried the siu mai. It was wrapped in a yellow skin, packed full of meat and shrimp, and the bite was seriously the best!

The moment I bit into one, the shrimp inside popped with a springy texture. It had such a lively bite.

The savory meat and umami-rich shrimp came together, and a sweetness emerged the more I chewed. It was not greasy at all—only deliciously nutty! The filling was so substantial that the satisfying, mouth-filling bite was unbeatable. Hahaha.

Crystal dumplings with memorable chewy wrappers

Last, I tried the crystal dumplings, and even their appearance was lovely, with translucent, glistening wrappers.

The outer wrapper was truly as clear as crystal, so I could glimpse the filling. I could feel the chewiness at my fingertips from the moment I picked one up with chopsticks! Once I bit into it, the wrapper was the absolute peak of chewy texture.

Inside the chewy wrapper, which clung pleasantly like a glutinous rice cake, was plenty of soft, moist filling, making the textures so much fun, haha. Its subtle, clean flavor was so moreish that I kept reaching for another.

The satisfaction of alternating all three

Each dim sum had its own distinct flavor and texture, and every one was so well defined, haha. Alternating among the rich juices of the xiaolongbao, the springy bite of the siu mai, and the chewy, translucent crystal dumplings meant there was never a dull moment. Dim sum alone can sometimes become rich, but everything here was made with fresh ingredients and a clean flavor, so I enjoyed it right to the end.

The complimentary peanuts and zhacai (pickled mustard stem) were seasoned just right, making them great to pick at between dumplings. A little shredded ginger in soy sauce over the dim sum also lifted the flavor another notch.

It had been such a long time since I had wanted to fill up entirely on dim sum, and I properly fulfilled that wish. The location is so convenient, the atmosphere is pleasant, and every dim sum was excellent, so I think I will be craving another visit soon. If you want proper dim sum near Gangnam Station, or a comfortable place for a solo meal, go have a full-on dim sum feast at Sinbok Myeongwan, hahaha!