Jongno Korean restaurant with split-broth hot pot: Jongga Mandu

It’s the change-of-seasons period lately, so colds are going around. My throat was scratchy and sore too, so I went to a great dumpling hot pot place for some warm broth.

I’d been curious about this place because it specializes in handmade dumplings made fresh every day. But it was much more popular than I expected.

I arrived at 11 a.m., and there weren’t many customers then. But around 11:30, people started pouring in, and a waiting list appeared in no time.

There were enough waiting customers to fill the space in front of the restaurant. Maybe lots of places in this neighborhood start lunch at 11:30. There were quieter restaurants nearby, but Jongga Mandu (종가만두) really seems famous as a good local spot.

Jongga Mandu is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with a break from 3:30 to 5 p.m. On Sundays, it is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so keep that in mind when you visit.

Handmade dumplings shaped by hand

Once you walk in, you can see dumplings being made by hand across from the counter. Watching them shape each one individually really gave the place that handmade-specialist feel.

Jongga Mandu says it makes its dumplings fresh every morning and sells out of everything made that day.

They say they have made more than 2 million dumplings over seven years. Seeing the dumplings made right in the restaurant made their care for the food feel very real.

Dumplings can vary a lot in flavor depending on the filling and the wrapper, so I liked that these were handmade rather than factory-made frozen dumplings.

What does split-broth dumpling hot pot taste like?

Jongga Mandu has several options, including clear dumpling hot pot, spicy dumpling hot pot, and spicy brisket dumpling hot pot. I wanted both clear broth and something spicy, so I ordered the split-broth dumpling hot pot. I love variety, so I’m really into half-and-half dishes like jjajang-jjamppong and split cold noodles, haha.

This was the first place I’d found where dumpling hot pot could be ordered half-and-half, so it was completely my kind of restaurant. The pot had a divider down the middle, like a hot pot pot, so you could enjoy both broths at once.

Refreshing, clean dumpling hot pot broth

One side was clean and mild, while the other was peppery and spicy. Even though it was the same dumpling hot pot, the broth made them feel like completely different dishes.

The clear broth was wonderfully warming, as if it melted your body from the inside. The spicy broth was very hot and a little difficult to eat, but it had such an appealing flavor that I kept going back for more. Alternating between the clear and red broths also helped balance the heat, which made it easy to enjoy.

The dumplings and everything else here had a home-cooked feel, and nothing was aggressively spicy or salty, so it was easy to eat.

The dumpling hot pot is boiled vigorously with dumplings and all kinds of fresh vegetables. The broth had a savory depth from the ingredients, so I kept scooping it up.

As the dumplings and vegetables cooked together, the broth seemed to grow deeper in flavor over time.

Fresh vegetables and a generous spread

I also liked how fresh the vegetables served with the dumpling hot pot were. Broth matters in a hot pot dish, but vegetables that are too wilted or not in good condition can make the whole meal disappointing. These felt crisp and fresh.

You cook the dumplings with vegetables, mushrooms, and beef, then add kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) at the end. It was incredibly filling for one meal.

The dumpling hot pot requires an order for at least two people, and it costs ₩14,000 per person, which is a reasonable price. Considering restaurant prices these days, being able to fill up on handmade dumpling hot pot with so many ingredients felt like great value.

Kind staff

The staff here were all kind, too. They looked after each table attentively and handled everything well. Places with lots of people and a waiting list can be hectic and often unfriendly, but the service here was pleasant overall. Seeing them make dumplings whenever they had a moment, even while busy, also made me trust the food more.

Mild, neat royal-style dumplings

As Jongga Mandu describes itself, serving “the same royal-style dumplings my mother used to make,” I think it would suit people who prefer mild, neat dumpling hot pot over flashy, intensely seasoned flavors.

Jongga Mandu is a dumpling hot pot restaurant where you can properly enjoy handmade dumplings and clean broth. Since many people began waiting from 11:30 a.m., I recommend arriving a little early or allowing for a wait. Personally, I really loved the split-broth dumpling hot pot because I could have both broths at once. You get the mildness of the clear broth and the peppery kick of the spicy broth, so there is no need to agonize over the menu. Being able to watch the dumplings made by hand was another thing that made this place special.