Jinjin Gayeon 진진 가연

350m from Hapjeong Station. Jinjin Gayeon is a Chinese restaurant located on Worldcup-buk-ro in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and part of the well-regarded Jinjin restaurant family. The establishment earned a Michelin one-star rating in 2019, reflecting a kitchen that takes its craft seriously. The signature dish is menbosha, a deep-fried shrimp toast where the seafood filling is packed generously inside a thin, crispy bread shell, delivering both crunch and oceanic richness in every bite. Kkampunggi arrives with a balanced, non-aggressive spice profile where the seasoning hits precisely the right notes, and kkansho saeu offers another avenue into the kitchen's skill with seafood. Among the noodle dishes, the white jjamppong stands out: a clear, deeply flavored broth loaded with fresh shellfish and squid that makes it nearly impossible to leave any liquid in the bowl. For larger parties, elevated options such as stir-fried king crab, kailan beef, and abalone balbochae showcase the restaurant's range across Cantonese and Sichuan traditions. At lunch, simpler options like fried rice or seafood jjamppong are available as individual dishes. A distinctive feature is the membership system: a one-time enrollment fee of 30,000 won grants a permanent 20 percent discount on all dishes, with same-day registration accepted. Wine corkage runs 10,000 won for members and 20,000 won for non-members. Complimentary starters include pickled mustard stem, roasted peanuts, and fresh coriander. A separate reservation-only menu exists for groups, and advance booking is strongly recommended as the restaurant draws heavy corporate and group traffic, especially on weekends. The restaurant is closed every Wednesday, and street parking in front can be expensive at around 12,000 won per hour.