A Memorable Evening at Sinseungkwan in Jongno
2F, Le Meilleur Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Near Jonggak Station Exit 1)
Sinseungkwan Jongno


Spending the Last Day of 2025 in Jongno
On the last day of 2025, I headed to Jongno with my second child to enjoy the New Year's bell-ringing ceremony.
First, we visited a well-known Chinese restaurant in Jongno where we had made a reservation for dinner.
Today, I want to share my experience at Sinseungkwan, famous for its Jjamppong in Jongno.
Sinseungkwan is located just a 2-minute walk from Exit 1 of Jonggak Station, making it convenient for public transport users. It's situated on the second floor of the Le Meilleur building, so it wasn't hard to find.
While driving in Jongno can be challenging, this place offers free parking in its underground garage, which is a great advantage for those who prefer to drive.
As expected from a popular restaurant, the entrance was adorned with photos of various media appearances, showcasing its reputation.
A Long-Standing Restaurant with History
Founded in 1964, Sinseungkwan has been passed down through three generations, making it a traditional Chinese restaurant. It has received numerous awards from organizations like the Korea Consumer Industry Evaluation and the Korean Red Cross, raising my expectations for the food.
The interior was spacious and decorated with red accents, creating a classic Chinese dining atmosphere. The main hall features tables for four and eight, accommodating up to 35 guests.
There are also several private rooms for enjoying meals in a more intimate setting, making it suitable for gatherings with friends or family.
We dined in a private room for four, and my second child couldn't take their eyes off the beautiful night view outside the window. The view made the meal even more enjoyable.
What We Ordered
The menu offers a variety of noodle, rice, and dish options, but since it is renowned for its Jjamppong, we ordered the seafood Jjamppong, Jajangmyeon, and Lemon Cream Shrimp.
The basic side dishes included pickled radish and Chajang, which had a spicy and savory flavor that kept us reaching for more.
Jajangmyeon and Jjamppong
Finally, our ordered dishes arrived. The Jajangmyeon, an essential dish in Chinese cuisine, was topped with a quail egg and chives.
While many places use pre-made dough nowadays, Sinseungkwan makes its own noodles daily, allowing them to ferment for 48 hours. This made the noodles chewy and easy to slurp up.
The Jajangmyeon was not overly sweet and had a delicious taste that exceeded expectations.
The red Jjamppong, featuring abalone and crab, looked delicious. Sinseungkwan uses chili powder ground at a local mill, which added to my trust in their ingredients.
Interestingly, the broth was not overly soupy but just enough to be impressive. The portion size was generous, and the homemade noodles were chewy and delicious. Despite being on the spicier side, my second child, who usually can't handle spice, enjoyed it immensely.
There was a small abalone, and the dish was filled with shrimp, squid, and mussels.
The broth, made with young chicken and ginger, seemed beneficial for recovery, being rich, refreshing, and slightly spicy. It had a flavor that made you want to keep eating, although I wished there was a bit more broth.
Lemon Cream Shrimp and Final Thoughts
Lastly, the visually appealing Lemon Cream Shrimp was made with a batter that had been fermented for 48 hours, resulting in crispy shrimp topped with lemon cream.
Each shrimp was large and had a delightful crispy texture. Taking a bite revealed a perfect blend of the succulent shrimp and sweet, rich lemon cream sauce.
The nut topping added a nice nuttiness and enhanced the flavor. This dish paired well with the Jajangmyeon and Jjamppong, making it a great addition to our meal.
After our meal, we enjoyed a cup of coffee to cleanse our palates, concluding a satisfying dinner.
If you're looking for Chinese cuisine in Gwanghwamun or Jongno, consider Sinseungkwan, which has been a family-run business for 60 years. With private rooms available, it's a fantastic place for gatherings with friends and family to enjoy authentic Chinese dishes.
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