# Solo makgeolli toast with mixed dumplings at Jongga Mandu, Jongno - By Noeul (https://superchart.com/en/@shared-bowl-seoul/) - Written Sep 7, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was made with a meal provided by the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@shared-bowl-seoul/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@shared-bowl-seoul/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/index.md) ## In short Jongga Mandu is a handmade dumpling restaurant near Jongno 3-ga Station in Jongno, Seoul, where the grandmother owner shapes dumplings on site. Celebrating a job application pass alone with a glass of makgeolli (rice wine), the writer ordered bibim kalguksu (spicy cold noodles) with fried dumplings plus half-and-half steamed dumplings of kimchi and meat, and the freshly fried dumplings stayed crisp enough that the edges felt sturdy as a handle. Rich in flavor but light in volume, it's the kind of dumpling place you can easily finish solo. ## Good to know - **Address**: 88 Supyo-ro, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - **Directions**: About 311m from Exit 15, Jongno 3-ga Station - **Hours**: Mon–Sat 11:00–21:30 / Sun 11:00–16:00 - **Break time**: 15:30–17:00 - **Last order**: Lunch 14:30 / Dinner 20:30 - **Parking**: Paid parking available at Jongno Sejong Parking Lot / ₩6,000 per hour - **Service**: Groups, takeout, and reservations available - **Ordered**: Bibim kalguksu (includes 2 pieces fried dumplings), steamed dumplings (3 kimchi + 3 meat), makgeolli *as written by the visitor on Sep 7, 2026* ![Handmade dumpling table setting at Jongga Mandu in Jongno 3-ga](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-01-m66pu-1200.webp) If you're looking for handmade dumplings in Jongno 3-ga, Jongga Mandu (종가만두) is worth a stop. You can watch the dumplings being shaped right in the store, which gives the place a warm, homey feel. ![Bibim kalguksu and steamed dumplings order](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-02-sawt5-966.webp) This time I ordered bibim kalguksu (spicy mixed noodles) and steamed dumplings. The bibim kalguksu comes with fried dumplings included, which is a pretty satisfying combo for dumpling lovers. The tangy-sweet bibim kalguksu had a nutty sesame aroma that really woke up the appetite, and it paired well with the crispy fried dumplings too. ![A bite of dumpling eaten with bibim kalguksu](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-03-3s6ct-966.webp) Eating the dumplings together with the bibim kalguksu, the two different flavors blended really well. If you're looking for a Korean-style spot in Jongno 3-ga, Jongga Mandu is worth a visit. ## A solo toast at a Jongno 3-ga dumpling restaurant Hi, this is Jimi. I was working out as usual, and when I finished, I saw a bunch of KakaoTalk messages had come in. Seems like the results from that SK Hynix application I submitted earlier were out. It was my first résumé submission, and since the company is so popular, I wasn't expecting much. Turns out I passed the document screening. But looking around, it seems most people passed this round too, so I'm trying not to get too excited either way. Still, a toast was in order — so I headed to Jongga Mandu, a Jongno 3-ga favorite. ![Outside Jongga Mandu in Jongno 3-ga](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-04-105ku-966.webp) I'd been here before, and the handmade dumplings are really tasty. ![Dumplings being shaped by hand in the store](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-05-d2f3w-966.webp) As soon as I walked in, I could see the elderly grandmother owner shaping dumplings by hand. For her it's probably just an ordinary day, but as an unemployed person, seeing it every time gives me a bit of a lump in my throat. Anyway, I sat down and ordered. ![Seating inside Jongga Mandu](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-06-16nka-966.webp) ### No solo seats, but plenty of solo diners There's no dedicated solo-dining seating, but quite a lot of people come to eat alone here, like me. I ordered bibim kalguksu and steamed dumplings. The bibim kalguksu itself comes with 2 pieces of fried dumplings, plus there's a separate side option with 2 more pieces — a great setup for a big eater like me. Before the food arrived, I had a glass of makgeolli (rice wine) with kimchi. My own little solo celebration, I guess. ![A glass of makgeolli with kimchi](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-07-1g3lw-966.webp) ![Makgeolli and kimchi side dish enjoyed solo](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-08-8mvuh-966.webp) It's definitely good news, but at some point sharing it with people starts to feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable. Still, the makgeolli was delicious. ![Makgeolli glass and table setting](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-09-gg21l-966.webp) ## Bibim kalguksu: sesame aroma and tangy-sweet flavor The bibim kalguksu I ordered arrived. It was topped generously with pickled radish, perilla leaves, and dried seaweed flakes — very appetizing. When I mixed the noodles, the nutty aroma from the finely ground sesame was great. It was tangy and sweet, and delicious. That kind of tart mixed-noodle flavor really fills in the umami that dumplings lack — they pair perfectly together. ![Bibim kalguksu topped with sesame and garnishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-10-unjxa-m-966.webp) ### Freshly fried dumplings The fried dumplings were also delicious. ![Fried dumpling served with bibim kalguksu](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-11-11hi3-966.webp) ![Cross-section of a crispy fried dumpling](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-12-bq9y5-966.webp) Probably because they were fried fresh, steam was rising gently from the filling, and the fried outer layer stayed crispy enough that you could practically use it as a handle. I wrapped one in the mixed noodles and took a bite. ![Fried dumpling wrapped in mixed noodles](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-13-x0o5y-966.webp) ## Steamed dumplings: half kimchi, half meat Next up were the steamed dumplings. I'd only ever had the fried ones before, so this was a new try for me today. The set came with three kimchi dumplings and three meat dumplings. Since I like both, it was really satisfying. ![Half kimchi, half meat steamed dumplings](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-14-1k09c-966.webp) Even after already being pretty full from the mixed noodles and fried dumplings, these were still genuinely delicious. ![Cross-section of a steamed dumpling showing the filling](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-15-s7ysf-966.webp) ![A steamed dumpling held with chopsticks](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-16-zspq8-966.webp) Personally, I love how the flavor here is really rich, but the dumplings themselves aren't too heavy, so they go down easily one after another. ![A whole kimchi dumpling on a spoon](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-17-1oe05-966.webp) My favorite kimchi dumplings are great eaten whole off the spoon like this, ![Kimchi dumpling eaten with extra kimchi on top](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-18-fbak5-966.webp) but if you're Korean, I think the real charm comes out when you add a bit of kimchi on top like this. The kimchi itself was really tasty too. Anyway, another delicious meal today. Hope you all eat well and have a happy day too. ## Jongga Mandu location and hours ![Jongga Mandu location and business hours information](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast-19-1hfno-966.webp) - Address: 88 Supyo-ro, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - About 311m from Exit 15, Jongno 3-ga Station - Mon–Sat 11:00–21:30 / Sun 11:00–16:00 - Break time 15:30–17:00 - Lunch last order 14:30 / Dinner last order 20:30 - Paid parking available at Jongno Sejong Parking Lot (₩6,000 per hour) - Groups, takeout, and reservations available - Known for handmade dumplings shaped in-store ## Where it is - Jongga Mandu (종가만두) - 88 Supyo-ro, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 종로구 수표로 88 1층 종가만두 - 37.5689062, 126.9896787 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%A2%85%EA%B0%80%EB%A7%8C%EB%91%90/@37.5689062,126.9896787,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@shared-bowl-seoul/jongno-jongga-mandu-solo-makgeolli-toast/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt