Chinese restaurants in Seoul and what to order
Most Chinese food in Seoul is Korean-Chinese: jjajangmyeon, jjamppong and tangsuyuk. For dumplings or dim sum, try Yeonnam Dumpling or Din Tai Fung (Myeongdong). Listed closing times run from 21:00 to 22:30.
Chinese food in Seoul comes in three kinds. The most common is Korean-Chinese: black bean noodles (jjajangmyeon), spicy seafood noodle soup (jjamppong) and sweet-and-sour pork (tangsuyuk). It was built by Chinese immigrants and adapted over decades, so it tastes different from Chinese food in other countries. The second kind is the handmade dumpling shop. The third is dim sum and modern Chinese kitchens, which cook closer to Hong Kong, Taiwan or the mainland.
Before you go
- Yeonnam Dumpling, Sandong Mandu, Geomhyanggak, Tim Ho Wan (Yongsan) and Din Tai Fung (Myeongdong) all take walk-ins.
- Book a few days ahead for Mashi China and Jeonja Bang. Gaehwa and Gawon take reservations too.
- Opening times run from 10:30 to 12:00, and the latest listed close is 22:30 at Gaehwa. Most kitchens close between 21:00 and 22:00, so eat dinner early.
- Order by the dish. Tangsuyuk is a plate to share, and noodle bowls are one per person. At Gayaseong, portions are large, so one dish each is enough.
- Check the day you plan to go. Sandong Mandu lists no Monday hours, and Gayaseong and Geomhyanggak list none for Sunday.
Ten Chinese restaurants to try
In no particular order; none of them paid to be here. Prices and hours are from our data as of 2026-10-06.
Gaehwa (Myeongdong) 개화 명동점
A family-run Korean-Chinese noodle restaurant that has served Myeongdong for over 60 years, in the alley by the Chinese Embassy. The owners are Hwagyo, Chinese families settled in Korea. The room is on the second floor and is full by noon on weekdays.
What to order: Uni-jjajang, Gan-jjajang, Tangsuyuk (탕수육)
Good to know: The stairs are steep and narrow. Reserve, or arrive before noon. It is about 400 m from Myeongdong Station Exit 5.
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 11:30 am–10:30 pm · Sun 11:30 am–10:30 pm (Sat: not listed)
- Booking
- Takes reservations
Gawon (Mangwon Main) 가원 망원본점
A couple runs this long-running Mangwon restaurant, and the dining room is tidy and unfussy. Come for jjamppong, tangsuyuk with the sauce poured over, and in summer cold noodles in a peanut sauce. The kitchen also keeps a standing vegetarian section.
What to order: Jjamppong (짬뽕), Tangsuyuk (탕수육), Mapo tofu (마파두부)
Good to know: The vegetarian dishes are not on the printed menu. Ask the owner for mapo tofu or mushroom tangsuyuk.
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 11:30 am–9:30 pm · Sun 11:30 am–9:30 pm (Sat: not listed)
- Booking
- Takes reservations
Gayaseong 가야성
A humble noodle room near Euljiro 3-ga that has built its name on jjambbong, the spicy seafood noodle soup, served in several versions. The room is plain. Come for a filling bowl, not for atmosphere.
What to order: Seafood jjambbong (해물짬뽕), Fried dumplings (군만두)
Good to know: Portions are generous, so one dish per person is plenty.
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 10:30 am–9 pm (Sun: not listed)
Geomhyanggak 검향각
A basement restaurant in the LG/LX Gwanghwamun building on Saemunan-ro. It serves the office district at weekday lunch and for team dinners. It is a handy stop if you are sightseeing around Gwanghwamun.
What to order: Cream jjambbong (크림짬뽕), Japchaebap (잡채밥), Samseon jjambbong (삼선짬뽕)
Good to know: There is no reservation system, so expect a wait at lunch. Free parking with 2-hour validation is in the building.
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 11:30 am–9:30 pm (Sat, Sun: not listed)
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome
Mashi China 맛이차이나
The chef here trained in the Palsun kitchen of the Shilla Hotel. The tangsuyuk uses tenderloin and comes with the sauce in a separate dish. The dining room is small, about 20 seats, and bright with large windows facing the street.
What to order: Tangsuyuk (탕수육), Shrimp-stuffed eggplant, Jjajangmyeon (짜장면)
Good to know: The entrance is easy to miss. Look for the newer signage and allow a few extra minutes. Book a few days ahead.
- Hours
- Daily 11:30 am–9:30 pm
- Booking
- Takes reservations
Yeonnam Dumpling 연교
A family-run dumpling specialist in Yeonnam-dong, open since 2017 and now in three nearby outlets. The cooking follows mainland home style rather than the sweeter Korean-Chinese taste. The room is small and tightly packed.
What to order: Xiaolongbao (샤오롱바오), Shrimp toast (멘보샤), Guotie potstickers
Good to know: Walk-ins are usually fine. Order a few dishes, since portions are modest.
- Hours
- Daily 11:30 am–9:20 pm
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome
Sandong Mandu 산동만두
A one-room dumpling shop in a side alley in Huam-dong, Yongsan. The elderly owner makes shrimp and pork dumplings by hand to order. It has one six-seat table and two small bar tables.
What to order: Shrimp fried dumplings (새우군만두), Shrimp steamed dumplings
Good to know: Come with a small party. The owner works alone, so check your order when it arrives.
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 10:30 am–9 pm (Mon: not listed)
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome · Naver booking
Tim Ho Wan (Yongsan) 팀호완 용산점
A Hong Kong dim sum chain with a Michelin Bib Gourmand reputation, serving a full Cantonese menu at moderate prices. It sits inside a mall linked to Yongsan Station, so it suits a meal before or after a movie or a shopping trip.
What to order: BBQ pork bun (차슈바오번), Har gow (하가우), Siu mai (샤오마이)
Good to know: Plates are small, so order more than one dish per person. Parking is free for 2 hours with validation.
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 11 am–10 pm · Sun 11 am–10 pm (Sat: not listed)
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome · Naver booking
Din Tai Fung (Myeongdong) 딘타이펑 명동점
A Taiwanese dumpling chain whose main order is pork xiaolongbao. Cooks fold the dumplings at an open station right by the entrance, so you can watch before you sit down. Beef noodle soup and crispy lemon chicken fill out the table. High chairs are available.
What to order: Pork xiaolongbao, Beef noodle soup, Crispy lemon chicken
Good to know: Walk-ins are usually fine. Open daily 11:00 to 21:00.
- Hours
- Daily 11 am–9 pm
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome · Naver booking
Jeonja Bang 전자방
Chef Gye Hyung-woo opened this modern Chinese bistro in 2018, after years in hotel kitchens and a stint cooking in Canada. The room has exposed brick and a terrace. It seats about 20 and fills quickly.
What to order: Lemon cream shrimp (레몬크림새우), Eggplant mapo tofu with egg fried rice, Mala gambas
Good to know: Book a few days ahead. A waiting list is posted at the door at weekday lunch.
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 11 am–9:30 pm · Sun noon–9 pm (Sat: not listed)
- Booking
- Takes reservations
Which kind to pick
Choose Korean-Chinese when you want a noodle bowl and a plate of tangsuyuk at a table with locals. Choose a dumpling shop for a light lunch or a solo meal. Choose dim sum or a modern kitchen when you want a longer, shared meal with several small plates.
At a glance
| Place | Area | Listed hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gaehwa (Myeongdong) | Jung | Mon-Fri 11:30-22:30, Sat holiday listing (2026-10-03), Sun 11:30-22:30 |
| Gawon (Mangwon Main) | Mapo | Mon-Fri 11:30-21:30, Sat holiday listing (2026-10-03), Sun 11:30-21:30 |
| Gayaseong | Jung | Mon-Sat 10:30-21:00, Sun not confirmed |
| Geomhyanggak | Jongno | Mon-Fri 11:30-21:30, Sat holiday listing (2026-10-03), Sun not confirmed |
| Mashi China | Mapo | Every day 11:30-21:30 |
| Yeonnam Dumpling | Mapo | Every day 11:30-21:20 |
| Sandong Mandu | Yongsan | Mon not confirmed, Tue-Sun 10:30-21:00 |
| Tim Ho Wan (Yongsan) | Yongsan | Mon-Fri 11:00-22:00, Sat holiday listing (2026-10-03), Sun 11:00-22:00 |
| Din Tai Fung (Myeongdong) | Jung | Every day 11:00-21:00 |
| Jeonja Bang | Seongdong | Mon-Fri 11:00-21:30, Sat holiday listing (2026-10-03), Sun 12:00-21:00 |
From SeoulSearch place data as of 2026-10-06. "Not listed" and "Not confirmed" mean we have no measured value, not that the answer is no.
How we picked these
Every place here is a Chinese restaurant in Seoul where we have checked the opening hours. Together they cover noodle halls, dumpling counters and dim sum rooms, so you can match the meal to your day.
Questions
Is Chinese food in Seoul the same as in other countries?
Mostly not. The most common type is Korean-Chinese, with jjajangmyeon, jjamppong and tangsuyuk. For mainland dumplings or Hong Kong dim sum, try Yeonnam Dumpling or Tim Ho Wan.
Can vegetarians eat at a Chinese restaurant in Seoul?
Gawon in Mangwon keeps a vegetarian section with mapo tofu and mushroom tangsuyuk. It is not on the menu, so ask the owner. The menu is not fully vegan.
Which of these stay open latest?
Gaehwa in Myeongdong has the latest listed close, 22:30. Tim Ho Wan (Yongsan) lists 22:00, Geomhyanggak and Gawon list 21:30, and Din Tai Fung (Myeongdong) and Sandong Mandu list 21:00.
Sources
- SeoulSearch place data (as of 2026-10-06)