Mongjungin

About

Hong Kong-inspired kitchen and bar tucked in Sharosu-gil, serving Chinese dishes alongside signature themed cocktails.

Tucked toward the end of Sharosu-gil between Seoul National University Station and Nakseongdae Station, Kitchen & BAR Mongjungin has operated as an intimate neighborhood hideaway for a decade. The venue evokes a moody Hong Kong drinking den with low ambient lighting, tinted hues, an open kitchen, and a compact floor plan split between counter seats and a handful of tables. It functions as a quiet retreat for hushed conversations, date nights, and diners seeking affordable Chinese-inspired bar fare alongside creative pours. The food menu trades heavy banquet staples for focused drinking bites. Steamed cabbage with bacon (*baechujjim*) emerges as an understated staple, braised until tender and sweet, absorbing savory oils and salt from the bacon to pair naturally with shots of fiery *goryangju*. Tangy, palate-clearing marinated olives and tomatoes provide a briny bite upfront, while skewers of lamb shoulder (*yang-ggochi*) arrive cleanly seared without gaminess, accompanied by wasabi. For heat, the kitchen stir-fries *mala xiangguo*—offering choices of beef, seafood, or lamb—tossing the tongue-numbing spices with unexpected chunks of pineapple that lend bursts of acidity against the peppercorns. Classic crispy *kkwo ba rou* rounds out the savory anchors. Drinks receive equal attention, spanning spirits, traditional Chinese liquor, and thematic house concoctions. The signature Mongjung Shot layers melon liqueur under whipped cream for a single-gulp drink that channels an alcoholic melon cream soda, while cinematic cocktails like Decision to Leave swirl sea-and-botanical notes into an elusive blue-green wash. For patrons bringing their own bottles, Mongjungin also offers a welcoming corkage policy (around 15,000 KRW per person), accommodating whiskey and wine lovers looking to linger over plates without tavern crowds. With limited seating that fills up quickly from opening hour, securing a reservation via Naver or Catch Table ensures a spot in this dimly lit Gwanak bolt-hole.