Sinmara Myeongga Sookdae Branch
신마라명가 숙대본점
About
Clean and budget-friendly malatang spot near Sookmyung Women's University, known for kiosk ordering and crisp guobaorou.
Perched just across from the back gate of Sookmyung Women’s University, Shin Mara Myeongga offers a tidy, approachable take on Sichuan hot pot in Cheongpa-dong. Unlike conventional joints where patrons jostle around open refrigerated tubs with plastic tongs, ordering here happens smoothly via touchscreen kiosk. The kitchen compiles the core bowls of *maratang*, ensuring an exceptionally clean prep station while still letting diners tailor noodle choices, broth spice, and add-ins. The broth steers away from the punishing, oil-slicked heaviness that plagues lesser shops. Even at milder calibrations like level 0.5 or 1, the soup maintains a gentle, fragrant numbness from Sichuan peppercorns without scorching the palate, making it a reliable entry point for spice-averse diners. Bowls arrive brimming with crisp greens, fresh tofu, and chewy glass noodles, often bolstered by complimentary beef additions. While the soup draws the lunch crowds, the *ggwabarou* (crispy sweet-and-sour pork) anchors the meal. Served blistered and golden with a notably light, crunch-retaining rice-flour batter, the pork stays tender rather than leathery. The gloss of sauce strikes a deft equilibrium between sharp vinegar and mellow sweetness, avoiding the cloying, syrupy glaze common to late-night takeout spots. The pairing of a steaming soup bowl with a sprawling plate of pork—often ordered together in a high-value combo—easily feeds two. Inside, the setting swaps the typical chaotic grease of late-night noodle bars for spaced-out two- and four-top tables, neatly stocked condiment counters, and warm hospitality, where the owner has even been known to hand out whimsical food-themed keychains. Accessible from Sookmyung Women's University, Hyochang Park, and Namyeong stations, it fills a practical niche for neighborhood university students, solo diners knocking out a quick twenty-minute lunch, and casual evening dates over cold bottles of Cass.
Menu
- Malatang₩10,000
- Guobaorou₩10,000
- Malatang and Guobaorou Set₩18,000
- 마라탕&꿔바로우₩17,000
- 상궈 1인분₩14,000
- 소고기 마라상궈₩15,000
- 양고기 마라상궈₩15,000
- 마라상궈&꽈바로우₩23,000
- 마라상궈&볶음밥₩19,000
- 야채마라탕(1인분)₩8,000
- 소고기마라탕(1인분)₩10,000
- 양고기마라탕(1인분)₩10,000
Local tips
- Order via the kiosk instead of picking raw ingredients manually from a buffet bar.
- Look out for free topping or beef addition events during ordering.
- The malatang plus guobaorou set offers generous portions and great value.
- Spice levels start mild, making it approachable even at 0.5 to 1 level.
Details
- Sookmyung Women's Univ. Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 10:30–23:00
- Monday
- 10:30–02:00
- Tuesday
- 10:30–02:00
- Wednesday
- 10:30–23:00
- Thursday
- 10:30–02:00
- Friday
- 10:30–02:00
- Saturday
- 10:30–02:00