Exploring Insadong's GaeSeong Dumplings and Tteokguk
서울특별시 종로구 인사동10길 11-3
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Insadong GaeSeong Dumplings – New Year’s Tteokguk Spot
Insadong's GaeSeong Dumplings is a must-visit for tteokguk, especially at the start of the new year!
Located near Ssamji-gil in Insadong, the closest subway station is Anguk Station.
This place usually has a long waiting line, but reservations are not accepted. Instead, you can wait outside to get in.
Thinking it would be crowded at the start of the year, I arrived a bit early for dinner and was able to get a table without waiting.
Michelin Recognition and First Impressions
The entrance is adorned with Michelin signs, and this restaurant has been featured in the Bib Gourmand list for nine consecutive years.
There are many good dumpling soup places in Euljiro and Jongno, so I was quite excited to try this well-loved spot.
Passing through a grand entrance, the interior was surprisingly modest.
Since they serve alcohol, if you arrive late in the evening, you might end up waiting for a long time.
Menu and Ordering
The menu was neat and tidy.
I debated between the two types of tteokguk: the short rice cake version and the long rice cake version, but there was a significant price difference. I ordered the long rice cake tteokguk, but I wish I had tried the short one too!
You can choose the type of dumplings to include, and I opted for meat dumplings to keep it simple.
Tteokguk and Dumpling Taste
The dish came with a generous amount of long rice cakes and four plump meat dumplings.
At the entrance, there was someone making dumplings, suggesting that they are freshly made every day.
The dumpling skin was perfectly thin and filled with chives and meat.
I dipped a couple of dumplings in soy sauce, and then mixed the remaining dumplings into the soup for a delightful meal.
Although the menu didn’t list rice, I initially wondered if I would be left hungry. However, as I finished the long rice cakes, I found myself quite full.
Side Dishes and Overall Impression
The side dishes included napa cabbage kimchi, cubed radish kimchi, and a bowl of dongchimi.
This was a hearty choice for my first meal of the new year.
Next time, I think I’ll pair the dumpling soup with a beer for a perfect experience!
The operating hours are as mentioned, but they close earlier than expected (around 9:30 PM), so it might be disappointing for a late-night visit.
Restroom: Inside (1 unisex stall)
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