Goyang Korean restaurant: dumpling hot pot with mom at Arirang

Now that the heat is gradually fading and mornings and evenings are getting cooler, I was craving a steaming bowl of broth. So I revisited Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch (아리랑 개성손만두 식사점), which I had visited with my grandmother before, this time with my mom.

Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch

My mom likes dumpling hot pot too, so I thought she would enjoy it—and sure enough, she was happy with the meal afterward 👍🏻 In weather like this, I really think a menu that fills you up and comes with warm broth is the best.

I would also recommend it to anyone stopping by Dongguk University Hospital and looking for lunch in Siksa-dong, Ilsan. It is a great place to visit when you want a hearty meal.

A great place for dumpling hot pot in Siksa-dong

Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch has a parking lot right in front, so it is convenient to visit by car.

The signature here is Gaeseong-style handmade dumpling hot pot! I also loved that solo meals are available.

A half-and-half hot pot with meat and kimchi dumplings

Once again, we ordered the half-and-half handmade dumpling hot pot for two. Since it lets you try both meat and kimchi dumplings, I recommend the half-and-half option if you do not have a strong preference for just one kind—it would be a shame to miss out on either one.

The hot pot comes with three meat dumplings and three kimchi dumplings, along with kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) and steamed dumplings.

The steamed dumplings included one meat dumpling and one kimchi dumpling, so my mom and I shared them nicely.

The broth was mild rather than overpowering, so I kept reaching for it. It was easy to enjoy without feeling heavy.

As you eat the dumplings and vegetables with the broth, it feels like your insides are warming right up, which makes it an even better fit for cool weather, right!? If you are looking for Korean food in Siksa-dong and craving a substantial brothy dish, dumpling hot pot would be just the thing 😎

Mild meat dumplings and spicy kimchi dumplings

The steamed meat dumpling was mild and delicious in its own way, while the kimchi dumpling had that distinct spicy, refreshing kimchi flavor. My mom said both were tasty, but if she had to pick one, the kimchi dumpling was more her style haha.

On one side, they were hand-forming dumplings. Being able to see the handmade dumplings being made right in the restaurant made me trust it even more—and somehow it felt like watching a craftsperson at work, too, right!?

A tip for adding broth before the kalguksu

You can comfortably pick up any extra side dishes from the self-service bar, and if the broth runs low while you are eating the hot pot, just add the broth prepared there. One important tip here! Add broth in advance before putting in the kalguksu noodles. Absolutely!! Absolutely, okay? Hahaha.

Since the kalguksu noodles take a little time to cook, you need to top up the broth generously so it does not become salty and stays delicious through the end. After eating some dumplings, I added broth and then put in the noodles, and we were able to finish even the broth deliciously.

The dumplings are large and generously filled, so if there are leftovers, just put them in the takeout containers at the front and you are all set!

I was satisfied when I visited with my grandmother before, but coming with my mom this time brought a different kind of happiness. If you are looking for Korean food in Siksa-dong, or a lunch spot near Dongguk University Hospital in Siksa-dong, Ilsan, I recommend Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch for its filling dumpling hot pot on a cool day 💕