Ililhyang Mapo (Gongdeok) 5th 일일향 마포(공덕)5호점

Ililhyang Mapo (Gongdeok) 5th Branch sits in an alley beside the Garden Hotel, midway between Mapo Station and Gongdeok Station. As one of the flagship locations of the Ililhyang premium Chinese dining chain, the restaurant spans two floors with both open seating and private rooms, accommodating everything from casual weekday lunches to corporate dinners and family celebrations. The signature eohyang-donggo, whole shiitake mushrooms stuffed with shrimp, fried until crisp, and coated in a savory doubanjiang-based sauce, is priced at 43,000 won for four pieces, with the option to add extra portions to match the party size. The springy shrimp, fragrant mushroom, and layered sauce create a combination that leaves a lasting impression from the first bite. The tangsuyuk wraps lean pork in a deliberately thin batter, producing a result that is packed with meat yet yields tenderly under the teeth, satisfying even without the accompanying sauce. The jjamppong follows an old-school preparation with measured wok heat and a generous load of vegetables that make the broth both warming and refreshing. The eggplant fried rice carries a subtle mala fragrance and benefits from the crunch of fresh eggplant, while the gan-jjajang delivers clean wok-charred flavor. The yangjangpi features Chinese glass noodles as a distinguishing touch, and the palbochae brings an assortment of seafood cooked to a firm, bouncy texture. The jeonbok-bok showcases impressively sized abalone, and the nurungji-tang stays true to fundamentals with neatly trimmed seafood in a crispy rice crust broth. Visiting with a group and sharing multiple a-la-carte dishes is the best way to experience the full breadth of the menu. Set menus offer sensible value relative to ordering individually. Lunchtime waits are common, so reservations are advisable. On-site parking accommodates roughly five vehicles, and the adjacent community center public lot provides a one-hour free parking voucher.