Maenting
맨팅
About
Tidy Chinese restaurant in Yeonhui-dong run by a Taiwanese-Chinese chef, known for sweet-and-sour pork with lasting crispness.
Tucked away opposite the Seodaemun Fire Station and near the Seoul Overseas Chinese High School, Maenting is a refined Chinese restaurant run by Taiwanese-Chinese owners, signaled by a small Taiwanese flag hanging quietly inside. The entrance is framed by replica terracotta warriors, leading into an impeccably clean, grease-free dining room that expands behind closed doors into private rooms suited for group gatherings. During the day, nearby workers fill the tables for the cost-effective lunch sets, but the evening crowd settles in for generous sharing portions and dialed-in wok classics. Maenting's signature sweet-and-sour pork (*tangsuyuk*) arrives pre-sauced (*bumeok*), yet the glutinous rice batter remains remarkably crunchy from the first bite to the last. The glossy, tart sauce tightly coats tender, odorless pork, cutting through any potential richness. Noodle lovers lean heavily toward the *ganjjajang* (dry-tossed black bean noodles). The restaurant dices its ingredients finely, packing the bowl with tender meat and crisp onions swimming in a deep, assertively seasoned sauce that tempts diners to mix in a bowl of rice with the leftovers. Those craving extra heat often gravitate toward the fiery spicy pepper version (*gochu ganjjajang*). The savory dishes showcase thoughtful textural touches. The mapo tofu over rice (*mapo dubu bap*) uses soft silken tofu draped in a glossy, starch-thickened sauce that leans gently sweet and spicy rather than numbing, punctuated by umami-rich mushrooms that ground the plate. Paired with ice water, standard yellow pickled radish, and crisp *jjassai*, Maenting strips away the heaviness often associated with neighborhood Chinese joints in favor of a spotless room and crisp, deftly fried staples.
Menu
- Sweet and Sour Pork₩25,000
- Jajangmyeon₩8,000
- 어향동고(새우)₩40,000
- 게살샥스핀₩40,000
- 게살산슬₩38,000
- 수제멘보샤 (6pcs)(20분소요)₩35,000
- 칠리중새우₩35,000
- Cream Sauce Prawns₩35,000
- 깐풍중새우₩35,000
- 작은새우튀김₩32,000
- 중새우튀김 (10~12마리)₩32,000
- 왕새우튀김 (1마리)₩15,000
Local tips
- Tangsuyuk comes pre-sauced (bumeok) with a tangy, glossy sweet-and-sour glaze.
- Lunch set menus are available on weekdays with great value.
- Private dining rooms are available for family gatherings or group meals.
Details
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 11:30–21:30
- Monday
- 11:30–21:30
- Tuesday
- 11:30–21:30
- Wednesday
- —
- Thursday
- 11:30–21:30
- Friday
- 11:30–21:30
- Saturday
- 11:30–21:30