Gangnam Chinese pub with half Peking duck: Mirim Yangjang

Good-value Peking duck near Seolleung Station

I had only eaten Peking duck once in my life. Even then, it was this precious dish I got to try only because the CEO at my old company bought it for a farewell party. Since it is usually such a pricey dish, it had felt daunting to pay for it myself. But then I found a place with incredible value! As soon as I heard I could enjoy proper Peking duck at a reasonable price, I raced straight to Mirim Yangjang Seolleung Branch, a great restaurant in Seolleung.

Visit to Mirim Yangjang Seolleung Branch for Peking duck

Basement entrance with red neon signage — Arriving at the hip basement entrance, welcomed by red neon signage.

Even from the entrance downstairs, it had this hip Hong Kong movie-set vibe that made my heart flutter. Being near Seolleung Station also made it super accessible—the perfect location for a drink after work.

Mirim Yangjang Seolleung Branch information

Address: B1, 30 Seolleung-ro 86-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 강남구 선릉로86길 30 지하1층)
Public transit: 327 m from Exit 1 of Seolleung Station on the Suin–Bundang and Line 2 lines
Hours: Daily 12:00–02:00 the following day
Parking: Nearby paid parking is recommended
Restrooms: Separate men's and women's restrooms inside

Roasted ducks hanging inside the open kitchen — Golden ducks hanging inside the open kitchen... the visuals are overwhelming!

When I opened the door, the red interior and stylish lighting absolutely nailed the Chinese-style pub mood. Through the glass display by the open kitchen, golden roasted ducks were hanging up, which was fun to look at too. The tables were comfortably spaced as well, so I thought it would be ideal among Gangnam restaurants for a work dinner or date.

Basic sides of roasted peanuts and pickled bean sprouts — Savory peanuts and tangy pickled bean sprouts—enough to call for a beer already, haha.

As soon as we sat down, pickled cabbage and roasted peanuts arrived as the basic sides. Snacking on the sweet-and-tangy, crunchy pickled bean sprouts and the savory-sweet peanuts really woke up my appetite.

Half Peking duck and side dishes

Half Peking duck
Mapo tofu
Hong Kong egg noodles (Naver receipt-review event)
Xiaomai (restaurant service)

When two people go to a Chinese restaurant, a whole Peking duck is always a lot, both in portion and price, right? I loved that this place has a half-duck option.

Half Peking duck arranged on a plate — The half Peking duck is finally here! What is that shine...?

Not long after we ordered, the half Peking duck we had been waiting for appeared! The portion was more generous than I expected. Looking closely at the plate, the rich, nutty skin—which was delicious on its own—was neatly arranged on top. Underneath were moist slices of meat cut to a nice eating thickness. Such a stellar visual from a Seolleung Station favorite!!

A full table setting of Peking duck and accompaniments — A perfectly neat table setting—instantly approved~~!

Peking duck and mapo tofu full spread — Mapo tofu has joined the party! A proper Chinese-food feast starts now.

Once the mapo tofu arrived too, the table became gorgeous in an instant. Just looking at it made my mouth water.

Shredded scallions and cucumber strips for Peking duck — Shredded scallions and cucumber, the perfect match for duck—ready to wrap generously!

Fresh shredded scallions, cucumber strips, and a special yajaeng sauce were neatly served too—absolute must-haves with Peking duck.

Individually wrapped wheat pancakes in a steamer — Steamed hot in a basket and individually wrapped too—such thoughtful service!

Here is what really impressed me! Steaming wheat pancakes came in a bamboo steamer, each one individually wrapped. They did not stick together when we took them one by one, and they stayed hygienic and moist right to the end. Even better, the wheat pancake refills are unlimited! We wrapped and ate to our hearts' content without feeling self-conscious.

From crisp duck skin to a perfect wheat-pancake wrap

Crisp Peking duck skin — The essence of crisp, nutty deliciousness... I could eat a whole plate of skin alone.

First, to taste it in its pure form, I tried the crisp duck skin on its own. Wow—the rich, nutty fat spread through my mouth as soon as I bit in, but it was not greasy at all and wonderfully crisp!

A Peking duck wrap in a wheat pancake — A perfect wrap, beautifully layered on a wheat pancake^^

Next, I put a piece of mild duck meat on a thin, chewy wheat pancake, added shredded scallions and cucumber, dabbed on sauce, and wrapped it up. Because the pancake was thin, it did not feel heavy; the meat juices and the vegetables' crunch came together for such a clean flavor that never got tiresome. Honestly, duck probably will not make you gain weight either—what a brilliant meal plan, right?^^

Mala mapo tofu with dried tofu — Mapo tofu with a waft of mala aroma; the chewy dried tofu texture is a work of art.

Whenever I wanted something spicy while enjoying the Peking duck, this mapo tofu was the perfect relief pitcher. The mala seasoning gave it a lightly numbing, spicy flavor that refreshed my whole palate. It was not salty, so the seasoning was just right even eaten as a drinking snack without rice, and the chewy dried tofu tucked among the soft tofu was the real highlight!

There was a slight ordering mix-up that day, so there was a small gap before the food arrived. Honestly, we were not inconvenienced at all. But the staff were so considerate and kindly brought us one piping-hot xiaomai each on the house! The flying fish roe popped, while the moist juices and springy shrimp filling packed each bite—it absolutely deserves recognition as a dim sum spot too.

Hong Kong egg noodles received through the review event — Is this amount of egg noodles from a review event even real...? Joining is an absolute must!

Lastly, these were the Hong Kong egg noodles we received for joining the Naver receipt review. Since they were an event item, I expected a small serving, but I was shocked by the generous, full à la carte-sized portion! (Highly recommend joining.) The bean sprouts and bok choy were crunchy, the noodles delightfully firm, and the savory, nutty sauce soaked right in, so we polished it all off to the last bite. If you visit, definitely do not miss the review event!

The staff were genuinely kind, and this Seolleung Station bar has it all: flavor, value, and a Hong Kong-inspired atmosphere. I am definitely coming back next time for a post-work beer!