Mapo · Hongdae / Cantonese-leaning Chinese kitchen
Main Hall
진진
A Chinese restaurant in Seogyo-dong run by chef Hwang Jin-sun and listed in the Michelin Guide Seoul as a Bib Gourmand address for several years. The kitchen works in a Cantonese-leaning style rather than the usual Korean-Chinese delivery menu, and dishes are plated for sharing. The main hall is small and fills quickly at lunch.
Listed in the Korea on a Plate guide
Menbosha · deep-fried shrimp toast
The menbosha, the fried shrimp-paste toast the place is known for, plus one vegetable or tofu dish. Alone, the seafood noodle soup is the cheapest way in.
What a visitor needs to know before going. Google Maps listing checked 2026-10-04; prices and stations from our own records.
The afternoon break runs from 15:00 to 17:00, so aim for an early lunch or after five. Two people will struggle to finish more than two large dishes.
For allergies or dietary restrictions, ask the restaurant about ingredients and preparation before ordering.
FROM OTHER DINERS
Michelin Bib Gourmond restaurant serving Korean Chinese food. Limited menu with slightly different fare from the typical Korean Chinese cuisine. Appreciated how they changed our plates between dishes, so that we can enjoy each dish without mixing the different sauces. Very small
Really good, Michelin-rated, Chinese food. They had an English menu available. We were seated upon arrival even though we didn't have a reservation. We ordered the crab and mapo tofu. Both were great, with the mapo tofu was the best I've ever had and the crab was very generously
The food is great for the price. However the service is somewhat poor and there are way too many tables for the space. I would still go again for sure because the price is very reasonable for the flavors you get.
Reviews from Google. Shown in part; read the full reviews on Google.
NEAR YOU
Other guides close to this restaurant, by straight-line distance.
The menbosha, the fried shrimp-paste toast the place is known for, plus one vegetable or tofu dish. Alone, the seafood noodle soup is the cheapest way in.
Expect about ₩26,000 per person. Menbosha ₩26,400; mapo tofu ₩20,000; spicy seafood noodle soup ₩12,000.
Mon–Sat 11:30–21:30; Sun 12:00–21:30. Open daily.
Jin Jin Main Hall is at 60 World Cup buk-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul in Seoul. In Korean the address is 서울특별시 마포구 월드컵북로1길 60 1층. The nearest station is Hongik University Station (Line 2, Airport Railroad, Gyeongui-Jungang).
Jin Jin Main Hall suits First time in Korea, Groups & sharing.
KEEP EXPLORING
Sinnonhyeon
해화옥 신논현 직영점
₩20,000 per person
Open 24 hours
Haehwaok is a 24-hour Korean restaurant near Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. Visit for Hanwoo beef soup, beef shank and tendon hot pot, bulgogi and Korean beef barbecue, from breakfast to late-night dining.
철철복집
₩28,000 per person
Hours Mon–Sat 11:00–22:00
A blowfish restaurant on a side street between Euljiro 1-ga and Myeongdong where the whole menu is bok: clear bok-jiri and spicy bok-maeuntang at ₩28,000, and salt-grilled blowfish, blowfish bulgogi and grilled milt at ₩43,000. DiningCode reviewers mostly describe it as lively, old-school and unpretentious.
Nonhyeon
용용선생 논현점
₩30,000 per person
Hours Sun–Fri 17:00–02:00; Sat 17:00–05:00
A Hong Kong-style pub in Nonhyeon for a table of bold, shareable dishes. Start with the signature volcano mala hot pot.
Also on these lists: Where to eat in Hongdae, Seoul · Korean dishes to share: jokbal, jjim, pancakes