Cuisine

Chinese (중국 음식점)

District

Mapo (마포구) , Seoul

Address

Seoul Mapo-gu Woldeukeopbukro1-gil 60

Quick read

Why go

Located 400 meters from Hapjeong Station, Jinjin Main Branch is a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in the residential area of Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu.

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Located 400 meters from Hapjeong Station, Jinjin Main Branch is a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in the residential area of Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu. It is co-managed by Chef Wang Yukseong, a veteran of luxury hotel Chinese kitchens, and Chef Hwang Jinseon, a participant in the competition program Black and White Cooks. The name Jinjin combines the character for Tianjin in China with a historical name for the Mapo area, reflecting a focus on Tianjin-style culinary traditions. The restaurant follows a philosophy of serving hotel-quality cuisine in an unpretentious environment. The menbosha, a consistent bestseller, features a generous shrimp filling between bread slices, fried to a crisp texture that balances with the bouncy interior. Occasional charring can occur due to high-heat frying. Another favorite is the stir-fried crab meat, which offers a creamy and mild flavor profile that can be enhanced with house-made chili oil. The steamed sea bass with soy sauce and fresh herbs (chingjing wureok) represents exceptional value, available at a member price of 34,400 won, whereas similar dishes often exceed 100,000 won in other high-end establishments. The fish is steamed to a firm texture and topped with a savory soy-based sauce and plentiful herbs. Other notable items include the Sichuan-style eggplant and mapo tofu, the latter featuring a subtle use of Sichuan pepper. Appetizers such as the chilled chicken salad (shaogi) show careful attention to detail, including hollowed cucumbers. Meal options are limited to fried rice and white jjamppong, suggesting that visitors should focus their orders on the specialized cooking dishes. A lifetime membership system is available for 50,000 won, providing a 20 percent discount on all visits. Dinner service operates in two sessions starting at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and reservations are necessary. Some menu items require advance ordering. Small-scale parking is available in front of the shop, and nearby public parking is relatively high-priced.