Jongno 3-ga dumpling shop: solo soup, fried mandu & beer, Jongga Mandu

Today I'm writing about my second visit to Jongga Mandu, a Jongno 3-ga restaurant that's famous for good reason.

After exchanging dollars in Myeongdong, my feet naturally headed to Jongno 3-ga. Jongga Mandu is one of those places you think about again after one visit. I was alone, so no hot pot, but rice cake dumpling soup, fried mandu and a beer made a perfect meal. I'll 500% go back.

I'd finished my errands in Myeongdong when I suddenly craved dumplings, so I turned right toward Jongno 3-ga. This is my second time at Jongga Mandu, and I'd already marked it in my heart after the first visit. They say they've made over 2 million dumplings in 7 years, keeping the taste of the royal court-style dumplings the owner's mother used to make. The real difference is that everything is handmade fresh every morning.

What kind of place is Jongga Mandu?

Jongga Mandu (종가만두) is a handmade dumpling restaurant with locations around Jongno 3-ga, Ikseon-dong and Euljiro. These aren't frozen factory dumplings: they're made by hand every day with fresh vegetables and meat, so they're gentle on the stomach and light. The hot pot is ₩13,000 per person, and you get dumplings, vegetables, mushrooms, beef and even kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) like a full course, so it's great value too.

Eating alone at Jongga Mandu: what did I order?

The hot pot starts at 2 servings, so as a solo diner I ordered rice cake dumpling soup, fried mandu and one bottle of beer. The choices were a bit limited. I was honestly sad about missing the hot pot, but after eating, this combo was plenty satisfying.

How is the rice cake dumpling soup?

The broth of the rice cake dumpling soup is clear and clean. There's nothing harsh about it, just a mild, tidy flavor. After a stretch of too much spicy, heavy food, it was exactly what I needed. In the bowl are two kimchi dumplings and two meat dumplings, topped with joraengi-tteok (rice cakes pinched in the middle) and chopped scallions.

I bit into the meat dumpling first: juicy, packed full, yet tender. The wrapper isn't too thick, just right, so you can really taste the filling. The kimchi dumpling is just as generous with a little spicy kick, which makes it fun in a different way. The kimchi dumpling went better with beer.

Is the fried mandu really crispy?

Was it crispy? Yes, really crispy. Bite the shell and it crackles, while the inside stays moist like a proper dumpling. Crispy outside, juicy inside. This combo is more addictive than you'd expect. It was even better with beer. Picking up the fried dumplings one by one was such a happy time.

What I want to order next time

Next time I'm definitely getting the half-and-half broth dumpling hot pot that I couldn't order this time. It's a popular dish where you enjoy clear and spicy broth together, so no need to choose, you get both. The spicy brisket dumpling hot pot also tempts me, since the brisket is said to make the broth richer and deeper.

I'm curious about the bibim kalguksu too. It's a unique dish where you crush raw fried dumplings into a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce and mix it all together, a totally different combination. They say it's Jongga Mandu's signature specialty, so I'll try it next time.

Jongga Mandu location and hours

The address is 88 Supyo-ro, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It's open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with a break from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

• Mon–Sat: 11:00–21:30
• Break time: 15:30–17:00
• Last order: 14:30 for lunch, 20:30 for dinner
• Sunday: 11:00–16:00, no break time, last order 15:00

Where do you park at Jongga Mandu?

You can use the Sejong parking lot, a 10-second walk from Jongga Mandu. It costs ₩1,000 per 10 minutes, and on the Modu-ui Jucha-jang (Everyone's Parking) app you can buy an all-day pass for ₩20,000 or a late-night pass for about ₩10,000.

You can save on parking by using the free hours at the Cheonggyecheon public parking lot: free after 7 p.m. on weekdays, after 3 p.m. on Saturdays and all day on Sundays.

A quick glossary

• Joraengi-tteok (조랭이떡): white rice cakes pinched in the middle, often added to soups
• Yuksu (육수): a broth base made by simmering meat or seafood for a long time
• Last order: the final time the restaurant takes orders
• Break time: a short rest between lunch and dinner service

Jongga Mandu FAQ

Are there menu items I can order alone?

Yes! At Jongga Mandu, the rice cake dumpling soup, fried mandu and bibim kalguksu can be ordered for one. Only the hot pot needs two or more people.

Can I make a reservation?

Yes, reservations are possible and groups are welcome. It's a good idea to check by phone beforehand.

Is corkage available?

Yes, corkage is free.

Can I bring a toddler?

There are high chairs, and both the entrance and the seating are wheelchair accessible.

Is takeout available?

Yes, takeout is available.

Eating solo at Jongga Mandu: my thoughts

If you like exploring Jongno 3-ga restaurants, Jongga Mandu is worth visiting at least once. The menu works well even for a solo meal with no regrets, and if you go as two you can enjoy the hot pot too, which is even better. I'm already excited about the half-and-half broth dumpling hot pot for my next visit. It reminded me once again how delicious truly handmade dumplings are.