Fortune
파르투내
About
Russian-Uzbek restaurant near Dongdaemun serving skewers, dumplings, and pilaf. Authentic cuisine with reasonable prices but notably slow service.
# Fortune: Where Russian and Uzbek Traditions Meet in Jung-gu Tucked into Jung-gu's emerging Russian quarter near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Fortune serves an unlikely fusion of Russian and Uzbek cuisines that rewards adventurous palates. The restaurant's austere dining room—clean and spare, with menus as thick as storybooks—signals you've entered unfamiliar culinary territory. The kitchen excels at lamb and beef preparations. Shashlik, the signature skewered meat dish, arrives bronzed and glistening after a patient wait, each brochette showcasing different cuts with charred edges. Samsa, meat-filled bread pastries, arrive steaming with a tart tomato sauce that cuts through richness. Pelmeni, the beef dumplings, come either in broth or fried, though a creamy accompaniment will challenge those unaccustomed to Central Asian dairy-forward flavors. Mastava, the Uzbek rice soup, and Pilaf, the aromatic rice dish studded with carrots and quail eggs, anchor the menu with warming spice—cumin and coriander layered generously throughout. These dishes are not delicate; they announce themselves on the tongue with conviction. A carrot pickle arrives unbidden at each table, refreshingly crisp alongside the bread basket that appears perpetually refilled. Service moves at its own rhythm. Food arrives in stages, sometimes with lengthy gaps that test patience, particularly for grilled items. Staff speak limited Korean, creating an immersive foreign experience that proves either charming or frustrating depending on your temperament. Prices remain remarkably reasonable—most mains under 15,000 won—making Fortune accessible for experimentation. The dessert counter redeems any frustrations: honey cake layered with mocha cream, Napoleons studded with nuts, and delicate crêpes with dark berry preserves. These are genuinely accomplished, the sweetness authentic rather than cloying. First-time visitors seeking an honest taste of Uzbek hospitality will find it here, though repeat visits appeal mainly to those whose spice tolerance extends beyond Korean cuisine.
Menu
- Shashlik (Beef/Lamb Skewers)₩12,000
- Honey Cake
- Borscht (Tomato Soup)
- Beef Dumpling Soup (Pelmany)₩8,000
- Plov (Uzbek Fried Rice)
- Beef Cutlet with Mashed Potatoes
- Mastava (Uzbek Rice Soup)₩8,000
- Crepe with Jam
- Khortytsya Vodka₩20,000
- Fried Beef Dumplings₩8,000
- Napoleon (Pastry)
- Uzbek Spaghetti
Local tips
- Shashlik (skewers) takes 1+ hour to prepare — order early or request timing
- Plov (fried rice) is most accessible for Korean palates; tomato-based soups are very strong in flavor
- Desserts are excellent but very sweet — pair with coffee afterward
- Staff speak limited Korean; Russian-language receipts are normal
- Call ahead for large groups; walk-ins accepted but expect waits
Details
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 10:00–23:00
- Monday
- 10:00–23:00
- Tuesday
- 10:00–23:00
- Wednesday
- 10:00–23:00
- Thursday
- 10:00–23:00
- Friday
- 10:00–23:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–23:00