Gaeseong Mandu Gung 개성만두 궁

Gaeseong Mandu Koong is a specialized dumpling house that has been featured in the Michelin Guide Seoul since 2017, including the 2025 edition. Located near the Gyeongin Museum of Fine Arts in Insadong, the restaurant operates out of a traditional hanok where senior staff can be seen hand-folding dumplings at the entrance. The dumpling skins are thin but possess enough elasticity to hold the dense, heavy fillings. The signature Kimchi Mandu-guk contains six large dumplings filled with crunchy, well-fermented kimchi that provides sufficient seasoning on its own. The meat dumplings offer a more subtle flavor profile and are typically paired with the provided soy sauce. The brisket-based broth is clear and lacks artificial additives, reminiscent of the clean taste found in Pyeongyang-style cold noodles. Many visitors choose to add rice to the leftover broth or opt for Joraengi-tteok Mandu-guk, which features small, cocoon-shaped rice cakes. Mandu Jeongol (hot pot) serves as a common choice for groups. The accompanying side dishes, including dongchimi and kkakdugi, are regarded for their quality. Given its popularity among international tourists, particularly those from Japan, wait times are frequent during the lunch rush.