Discovering My New Favorite Curry Spot in Mangwon-dong: A Review of Domabaem Restaurant
If you ask me what my favorite neighborhood is, I'd say Mangwon-dong without hesitation!
I love Mangwon-dong so much that I worked nearby for two years and even lived in a shared house for six months! (Though, I don't go there as often now that I live elsewhere - it's a secret!)
"Survival is Strength."
Domabaem Restaurant opened in 2016 and has been a fixture in Mangwon-dong for a whopping 9 years.
Despite this, I had preconceived notions about homemade curry, so this was my first visit.
Homemade curry?
I always thought it would have a strong turmeric flavor, making it taste the same everywhere. I felt like it wasn't worth paying for.
Let me introduce you to Domabaem Restaurant, which completely changed my mind!
Located at 75, Huiujeong-ro 20-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor).
It's a 10-minute walk from Mangwon Station. Mangwon Market, Tokyo Bingsu, and Coffee Gake Dongkyeong are nearby.
Personally, I really love the course of Restaurant - Cafe - Souvenir Shop - Mangwon Market - Hangang Park!
Closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Open Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
(Last Order 7:30 PM)
*No Break Time
Many places in Mangwon-dong are closed on Mondays, so a place open on Monday is a gem.
If you're looking for a place to eat on Monday, this is it!
Here are pictures of the restaurant in the daytime and evening:
With three tables for two, one table for four, and a bar area (for two), it's a cozy and comfortable restaurant!
It's also great for dining alone! (I've never had to wait during my three visits.)
The reason I love Mangwon-dong is that each alleyway has its own identity, and there are hidden, charming little shops everywhere.
I got so into finding those shops that I fell deeply in love with Mangwon-dong, and I feel like I discovered Domabaem Restaurant way too late ㅠㅠ
After finding out about it, I wanted to eat there every weekend, but I've only been able to go three times in a month... (sigh)
Here's the menu:
1. Squid Body and Homemade Curry - ₩14,000
2. Grilled Shrimp and Homemade Curry - ₩13,000
3. Grilled Beef and Homemade Curry - ₩13,500
4. Tuna Poke - ₩13,500
5. Grilled Squid Tentacles and Homemade Curry - ₩13,000
I've tried all the curry menu items here except for the Tuna Poke!
When the menu is served, they provide a side of lettuce salad and cabbage with a peanut dressing that's incredibly nutty!
And, if you have nut allergies, be aware that all the curry dishes contain cashews ㅠ,ㅠ
Grilled Beef and Homemade Curry
₩13,500
I think the Grilled Beef and Homemade Curry is the most universally appealing menu item at Domabaem Restaurant!
In fact, 2 out of 3 friends who went with me chose this menu item!
If you ask me what topping goes best with curry, I'd say grilled beef!
Domabaem Restaurant's curry base isn't a simple flavor; it has an explosion of umami, so I feel like the beef complements the curry the best when you eat the curry as the main dish ✨️
Rice and curry can be refilled!
Those floating things in the curry are cashews! They really load it up, maximizing the nuttiness of the curry.
And if you take some rice and curry, add some beef, vegetables + a chili, it's seriously;;;;;;;;;;; delicious.
I have no words other than delicious.
Butter-Seared Squid and Homemade Curry
Squid Tentacles ₩13,000 / Squid Body ₩14,000
Aside from Grilled Beef and Homemade Curry! Want to eat something more unique to Domabaem Restaurant?
I recommend the Butter-Seared Squid (Body/Tentacles) and Homemade Curry.
If you like plumpness - choose the body.
If you like chewiness - choose the tentacles.
What I felt while eating Domabaem Restaurant's curry was that the dish was delicate-
The squid wasn't just a topping grilled in butter, but more like a side dish on its own...?
The reason is...
Lots and lots of squid!
That's because there's a dark red sauce on top of the grilled squid!
This secret sauce makes the squid so delicious even when eaten alone, and it's also delicious in combination with rice and curry. It's just amazing, yeah...
To enjoy Domabaem Restaurant's curry, don't mix the curry, scoop it up to eat!
Grilled Shrimp and Homemade Curry
₩13,000
Domabaem Restaurant's curry comes in two flavors.
Curry with a deep sweetness made of 90% onion moisture
Basic onion base - beef, squid
Onion + carrot + tomato base - shrimp
In other words,
If you want to say you've tried Domabaem Restaurant's curry, you have to try the shrimp curry to have had it all.
When I first visited Domabaem Restaurant, there was a unbelievably delicious smell in the restaurant,
When you eat the curry, that unbelievable scent is conveyed as flavor..;
The basic onion-based curry is also delicious, but how delicious would it be with the added flavor of carrots and tomatoes..
Do you like Thai-style Poo Pat Pong Curry!
I really like it in the order of Thai > Indian > Japanese
(Sorry Korean style)
Domabaem Restaurant's curry also tastes like Poo Pat Pong Curry..
Maybe it's because of the spices? (I'm not sure because it's a secret)
If you don't like the taste of spices, try the basic onion-based curry.
To my taste, it's exotic, so I think it would be delicious with coriander..
Next time, I'll take it to go and add coriander!
I ended up recommending all the menus, which is a bit awkward ㅎ
But they all have different charms ㅠ
Curry base No. 1: Shrimp Curry
Topping No. 1: Squid Curry
Balance No. 1: Beef Curry
Eat Curry Refills!
When ordering one menu per person
You can refill rice and curry~
One bowl, half bowl, 1/4 bowl
I love that you can refill as much as you want.
The owner is also really friendly
So be sure to go!
I haven't felt happy eating food recently-
Domabaem Restaurant's curry has such a sincere flavor,
I was happy because it felt like it had been a long time since I had food like this ????
Please stay open for a long time
Domabaem Restaurant
75, Huiujeong-ro 20-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor)
"Survival is Strength."
Grilled Beef and Homemade Curry
Butter-Seared Squid and Homemade Curry
Grilled Shrimp and Homemade Curry
Curry with a deep sweetness made of 90% onion moisture
Basic onion base - beef, squid
Onion + carrot + tomato base - shrimp
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