Mangwon Japanese restaurant, no 1pm wait, 3 dishes under ₩50,000

I told a friend of mine, exhausted from parenting, that I'd treat her to something good in Mangwon. Since she was getting a rare day of freedom, I took her to Padong, a Japanese restaurant in Mangwon-dong that I go to often.

The two of us ordered three dishes and it didn't even hit ₩50,000. If you're looking for a Japanese restaurant recommendation in Mangwon, seriously give Padong a look.

Where is Padong, and what are its hours?

Padong is on the basement level of 47 World Cup-ro 17-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It's 248 meters from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station on Line 6.

Coming out of the exit, head right, then turn left at Number One Outdoor Leaf and walk about 23 meters. It's open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30am to 9pm.

It's closed every Monday, so check ahead if you're planning to go then. Parking is a bit tricky — I'd recommend the public parking lot near Mangwon 1-dong Community Center. They also close early once ingredients run out, so it's best to go early.

Lunch peak wait: what happens if you arrive after 1pm?

If you go during lunch, the wait at Padong gets pretty long! The waiting list posted at the entrance was really packed haha. I deliberately went after 1pm and it turned out to be a great call! It's popular enough on weekends that reservations are basically necessary, so I'd recommend booking ahead through Catch Table.

The entrance is decorated in a cute, detailed way — that's a highlight! The interior was totally my style too haha.

One small downside: the tables are on the small side, so I'd recommend groups of 2–4 rather than a bigger party. That said, it seemed like a comfortable enough spot for solo diners too!

Padong's main menu prices

Let me run through Padong's main menu! Futomaki is ₩16,000, basil soba ₩13,000, mazesoba ₩12,000. Kimchi cheese nabe is ₩15,000, steak rice bowl ₩13,000, tuna rice bowl ₩15,000, and salmon rice bowl ₩15,000!

There are also seasonal items — cold soba (naengmomil) for ₩13,000 and shrimp tempura udon for ₩12,000. My friend and I ordered futomaki, basil soba, and kimchi cheese nabe, three dishes total, and it came under ₩50,000! Seeing the total, you'll really be surprised.

Futomaki, basil soba and kimchi cheese nabe: the three-dish order

Futomaki and basil soba at Padong are my must-order top two, every single time!

Futomaki (Japanese-style seaweed rice roll) comes as 5 pieces including the end pieces, and they're substantial and generous. This version is packed with tuna, shrimp tempura, shiso leaf, fried tofu, burdock root, dried gourd strips, cucumber, and dashimaki (rolled egg).

I liked that we didn't end up stuffed on just one dish and unable to try the others. In that sense, Padong's futomaki at ₩16,000 is a real pass!

Basil soba at ₩13,000 is a Japanese-style mixed noodle dish tossed with basil pesto, ground pork, and arugula. It's similar to mazesoba, but since the base is basil pesto, the basil aroma spreads richly!

It's less salty than regular mazesoba and the noodles are chewier, so the texture is nice too. I'd want to learn how to make it and try it at home.

Kimchi cheese nabe was the most surprising of the three dishes! You'd expect pork cutlet in a nabe (hot pot) usually, but this one turns ebi fry — fried shrimp — into a nabe. Three big pieces of fried shrimp topped with cheese, and a spicy, punchy kimchi nabe aroma wafts up!

The flavor comes from kimchi, tare sauce, and mozzarella cheese, paired with handmade fried shrimp. It was perfect for taking a bite in between the futomaki and basil soba! At ₩15,000, isn't that a really solid deal?

It cut through the richness right when things could've felt heavy, so the three-dish combo worked really well! Adding a Sprite makes the combo feel even more complete.

Would I go back to Padong in Mangwon-dong?

Every dish at Padong is delicious and the prices aren't a burden at all! If you're looking for a good Japanese restaurant in Mangwon, Padong is genuinely worth a visit.

Reservations are available through Catch Table, and if you go after 1pm, you can walk right in without a wait. If you're searching for a Mangwon-dong Japanese restaurant, Mangwon mazesoba, or Mangwon futomaki, keep Padong in mind!