Hongdae gyoza bar with dried-radish steamed dumplings: MANDOO BAR

I was walking along Eoulmadang-ro and stopped by MANDOO BAR on the 2nd floor! It's a Hongdae gyoza spot known for enjoying dumplings in a totally different way, so I was curious what kind of menu they'd have even before going in haha. Right from the entrance there were cute dumpling touches, so it definitely didn't feel like an ordinary dumpling joint!

Where is MANDOO BAR, and how does QR takeout ordering work?

MANDOO BAR is on the 2nd floor of the Jeongung Building, 55-2 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It's a pretty walkable location from both Sangsu Station and the Hongdae area haha. Follow the sign in front of the building and go up the stairs, and the shop is right there!

Right at the entrance there was a QR code set up so you can place a takeout order without any waiting. You scan the QR, order ahead, and pick it up straight from the 1st floor, which seemed especially convenient for takeout! Being able to order and collect without even going up to the shop felt like a smart touch.

On the wall, big photos of the menu were posted, from gyoza to hot pot! It wasn't just basic-style dumplings — there were combos like yurinki (crispy chicken with sweet-tangy sauce) and okonomi and ppuring, so it was fun just browsing haha. As a Hongdae gyoza spot, it stood out for taking a familiar dumpling and reworking it in so many different ways.

At the entrance, the seating, self-bar, and waiting instructions were all clearly laid out! You could see ahead of time how things work when it's busy, so there'd be no confusion. Reading through it once before going in makes things much easier to navigate.

What the MANDOO BAR room and seating are like

Once inside, it felt way hipper and cozier than I'd expected from a dumpling specialty place haha. The lighting was soft too, so it was a comfortable atmosphere for eating and chatting~! There were dumpling-themed touches scattered around, so MANDOO BAR clearly had its own personality.

There were tables ranging from ones good for a group to sit around to smaller ones for a quick bite. Overall it wasn't too cramped, so it seemed comfortable for talking while eating haha. The vibe would suit coming with friends for dumplings and a drink!

What's on the MANDOO BAR menu?

Looking at the menu, the phrase 'serious about dumplings' fits perfectly given how varied it is! From the signature gyoza to red shrimp gyoza, yurinki gyoza, and okonomi gyoza, there were plenty of dishes with different toppings and sauces. At a Hongdae gyoza spot, it's fun to pick something a bit different from ordinary dumplings! There's also hot pot, wonton, and jeyuk on the menu, so if dumplings alone feel like not enough, it's good to order those alongside haha.

On the wall, mood lighting and little props added a pretty cozy feel. The lighting wasn't too bright, so it felt comfortable to hang around like at a bar. It was casual yet full of character, almost like a little hideout!

In front of the mirror there was even a cute dog figurine holding a dumpling! The way it was clutching the dumpling so earnestly was so adorable I kept looking back at it haha. Playful touches like this were scattered everywhere, making the whole vibe more fun.

Mexican taco gyoza with guacamole, ordered to go

This time I didn't eat at the shop — I took everything I ordered home as takeout! Among them, the Mexican taco gyoza with guacamole was the one I was most curious about since the combo sounded so unusual haha. It's gyoza given a taco-style twist, so it seemed like it'd be a totally different experience from the dumplings I usually eat!

Inside the packaging there was even a guide explaining the types of gyoza and how to eat them! It explained which sauce or topping goes with which menu, so it was good to read before digging in. Since there were so many varieties, having this guide made each one's character much easier to understand.

The gyoza had all kinds of toppings piled on top, so it looked pretty flashy right from the start! Coming with guacamole on the side too, even a single dumpling could be enjoyed in a whole new way. Crispy gyoza plus creamy guacamole made for a fun combo.

The Mexican taco gyoza also came with crispy nachos. Instead of just spreading the guacamole on the gyoza, dipping the nachos into it worked really well too. Popping one in every so often made the whole thing feel even more like eating tacos!

Handmade steamed dumplings with dried radish in the filling

The steamed dumplings came neatly packed in their own separate container. The lid was sealed tightly, so it stayed stable the whole way home haha. Since this is a takeout menu item, having these little details so clean was a nice touch!

Opening the lid, the steamed dumplings were sitting there nice and plump, looking hearty just to look at. Unlike the gyoza dishes piled with flashy toppings, the steamed dumplings had a look that was strictly basic. Alongside all the flashy fusion options, I was curious how this Hongdae gyoza spot's plain, classic dumpling would taste haha.

Up close, you could tell the filling was packed tightly right up to the wrapper! The wrapper was moist and soft, and the dumpling itself was on the heavier side, so even one felt filling. It looked plain on the outside, but the filling was so generous it exceeded expectations.

Taking a bite, I found dried radish mixed in among the meat and vegetables, giving it a distinctly unique texture! Adding a crunchy bite to the moist filling made it clearly different from an ordinary steamed dumpling. Even the basic menu item at this Hongdae gyoza spot had personality — I think I now understand why they put dried radish in there.

Who should order takeout from MANDOO BAR?

This time I got everything as takeout, and the packaging was clean and easy to carry. From the plain steamed dumplings to the taco-style gyoza, each dish had such a different vibe that picking between them was genuinely fun haha. Being able to enjoy a familiar dish like dumplings in so many different ways felt like MANDOO BAR's own special charm! If you're looking for a Hongdae gyoza spot and craving something a little different, it might be worth a visit.