Turns out there’s a Kubok Mandu branch, company-run, out in Paju. Kubok Mandu is that dumpling place that’s been drawing crowds in front of Sookmyung Women’s University.

Here’s the place.

Honestly, when I came to Paju the plan was — obviously — to eat at one of the big bakery cafes, but the problem was that the bread was so predictable that I lost all interest in eating it.. I still had to eat something though, and while hunting for somewhere to go, I found this. No way a place like this ruins a precious meal.

The table

Simple. The ginger on the side is very much a dumpling-house thing.

Inside

This place is genuinely good, but a lot of people still don’t seem to know about it.. which is lucky for me, I suppose. They’re also pushing udon here alongside the dumplings.. but today I ordered dumplings only.

Whole shrimp dumplings

Fragrant, full of juice — high-level dumplings. My pick was spot on. Really good restaurants are hard to find in Paju, so I hope they do well.

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