Yeonnam-dong dim sum with parents: truffle shumai at Panda Dim Sum

Today I'm bringing an honest review of a visit with my mom to Panda Dim Sum, a dim sum spot in Yeonnam-dong near Hongdae with great atmosphere and even better food. There are so many pretty restaurants around Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong, but when you're going with your parents, you start caring about food quality and the mood of the place too, right? Panda Dim Sum has a cute, clean interior and serves neat, delicious dim sum, so I'd wholeheartedly recommend it for a Yeonnam-dong date or a meal with your parents.

Where is Panda Dim Sum, and what are the hours?

Panda Dim Sum is located in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (a short walk from Hongik University Station Exit 3 toward the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail), and is open daily from 12:00 to 21:00. It's recommended to check the last order time and holidays before visiting.

Inside Panda Dim Sum: a tidy room full of panda decorations

Turning into a Yeonnam-dong alley near Hongdae, you'll spot the cozy yet charming look of Panda Dim Sum. Cute panda-character props are placed all around the store, which made it fun just to look around. The interior was clean and tidy too, so my mom loved it the moment she walked in, saying "this place is cute and neat." It's a comfortable space that would work just as well for a gathering with friends as it does for a meal with your parents.

What we ordered with mom at Panda Dim Sum, and how it tasted

That day we ordered the signature half Peking duck, xiaolongbao, truffle shumai, and a cold zero-sugar cola.

Half Peking duck: crisp skin, tender meat

I'd had this before with a friend at Gwanghwamun and loved it, so this time I ordered it hoping my mom would enjoy it too — the half Peking duck I had high hopes for! When there are two of you, ordering a whole duck can feel like a lot, so having the half-duck option was perfect for pairing with dim sum.

The glossy skin was crispy, and the meat wasn't dry at all — soft and tender instead. Wrapping the duck meat, shredded scallion, cucumber, and special sauce in the accompanying yabing (thin pancake) like a wrap made the flavor spread wonderfully through the mouth. My mom enjoyed it too, saying it was rich and savory without being greasy.

Xiaolongbao: the juicy classic done by the book

You can't skip the most basic of basics at a dim sum restaurant — xiaolongbao. Tearing into the still-steaming wrapper let out a spoonful of hot, savory broth. Dipped lightly in soy sauce with a bit of shredded ginger on top, one bite filled my mouth with rich meaty flavor. Moist on the outside and packed on the inside, these xiaolongbao are the kind everyone would like, so I'd definitely recommend them to dim sum beginners too.

Truffle shumai: the best dish, nothing like frozen shumai

The dish that completely won over both my mom's and my palate that day was, without question, the truffle shumai! The moment it landed on the table, a subtle, luxurious truffle aroma hit our noses. The bouncy texture of the minced shrimp and pork in that first bite was truly a work of art. What stood out most was how the truffle scent didn't clash with the ingredients but instead boosted the umami of the meat and shrimp — I couldn't help gasping in admiration with every bite. My mom said that while the other dim sum was great too, this truffle shumai was a real delicacy and her favorite of all!

Between bites of the savory Peking duck and the juicy dim sum, sipping a cold zero-sugar cola over ice cleared the palate each time, so we could enjoy every last piece without getting tired of it.

Final verdict and tips for visiting Panda Dim Sum

• Taste: ★★★★★ (the truffle shumai is a must-order! The Peking duck and xiaolongbao are excellent too)
• Atmosphere: ★★★★★ (clean and cute — great for a Yeonnam-dong date or a meal with parents)
• Value: ★★★★★ (a reasonable way to enjoy half a Peking duck and premium dim sum together)

This visit to Panda Dim Sum in Yeonnam-dong with my mom checked every box — the taste of the food, the neat presentation, the atmosphere of the space. It's a satisfying dim sum spot near Hongdae. It's great to bring your parents, and it works just as well as a Yeonnam-dong date course. If you go, I strongly recommend ordering the classic xiaolongbao along with the truffle shumai — don't skip it!