A Cozy Date at Myeongdong's Xinlongfu Malatang
After a long time, we decided to enjoy a date in Myeongdong to feel the New Year vibe. It was so cold that we opted for some warm malatang!
Xinlongfu Malatang is located across from Lotte Department Store, making it a unique dining spot in Myeongdong. There's also a huge Olive Young right in front, so it's easy to find. You can check the map below for a more detailed location.
We came for a malatang fix! The menu at Xinlongfu Malatang offers a variety of options, including basic malatang, malabian, malashengguo, and malarozeshengguo. There are four types of malatang alone! Additionally, you can choose side dishes like cream shrimp, guobaorou, eggs, and mini fried rice.
The ingredient showcase was tidy and had a wide variety of options, which made it quite challenging to choose. My picks included squid and quail eggs, while my boyfriend insisted on adding potatoes for a nuttier flavor.
We couldn't skip the enoki mushrooms and tofu, along with lotus root, which I love for its crunchiness. We also added bean sprouts and corn noodles, which I absolutely adore for their chewy texture.
One surprising ingredient was the fried egg! It was my first time seeing this in a malatang restaurant. I quickly grabbed two fried eggs out of curiosity.
We then added the essential corn noodles and some meat. What impressed me further was that the meat was portioned and stored in the fridge. Usually, when you ask for extra meat, the staff adds it from the kitchen, but on that day, the owner was portioning the meat using a scale. It felt great to add it directly myself.
After placing our order, we received a number on the receipt. When the food is ready, the number will ring, and you can pick it up. Water, plates, ladles, and tongs are self-service, which I appreciate for hygiene reasons.
We visited on a weekday evening and noticed quite a few solo diners, likely office workers stopping by for a meal. There was even a lunch discount event for those eligible to enjoy a cheaper meal.
Additionally, Xinlongfu Malatang in Myeongdong accepts Zero Pay! The sauce bar was a delightful surprise, allowing us to mix our preferred sauces. There was plenty of pickled radish available, and the rice was free!
Finally, our malatang arrived, and the fried egg peeking out was quite a sight! We ordered the second level of spiciness, which turned out to be just right—not too spicy at all. The broth, based on bone stock, was rich and perfectly suited to Korean tastes. It was delicious even when mixed with rice.
I highly recommend the corn noodles again! We also ordered a side of yuzu cream shrimp. I personally prefer cream shrimp over guobaorou. Typically, you only find guobaorou in malatang places, so having cream shrimp available here was a pleasant surprise.
What was even more touching was that they offered two sizes for the shrimp! There are times when you want a side dish but can't finish a large portion alone. So, coming here for a mini size of cream shrimp and malatang is a great option.
The tables are available for two or four people, and there are partitions that create a comfortable atmosphere. Even when it was crowded, it didn't feel overwhelming, allowing us to enjoy our meal in a pleasant setting.
While enjoying our meal, my boyfriend remarked on how clean the place was. I wondered if it was newly opened, but we noticed a banner indicating it had been around for 10 years. The owner was busy checking and replenishing ingredients and cleaning the self-service area, which contributed to the cleanliness.
As we finished our meal, we found only strawberries left from the dessert. However, it was still delicious, and it felt refreshing after the spicy malatang. I would love to come back for another malatang date in Myeongdong!
To get to Xinlongfu from Myeongdong Cathedral, head down the street past the large Olive Young and turn right when you see Line Friends. Follow the alley until you spot the quirky shell shop, then head in the direction indicated by the arrows on the ground. Eventually, you'll see the Xinlongfu Malatang sign above!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/pompom_latte/224175613091
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