Im Sabu Mongkok Mapo: Authentic Sichuan Flavors in Seoul

Looking for authentic Chinese Sichuan cuisine in Seoul, with an unbeatable price point? Look no further than this fantastic Chinese restaurant in Gongdeok-Mapo!

After a stay at Hotel Naru in Mapo, I stopped by Im Sabu Chinese Restaurant Mongkok for a late breakfast/early lunch.

The verdict? It was genuinely delicious! So good, in fact, that it earned a spot on my Google Maps favorites for Chinese food.

Im Sabu Chinese Restaurant Mongkok

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Address, Location:

1st Floor, 22-4 Dohwa-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Near Mapo Station Exit 3)

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Operating Days, Hours:

Daily 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

[Break Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM]

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Menu:

Classic Chinese dishes + Szechuan Mapo Tofu specialties + various Dim Sum (plenty of options!)

Prices: starting around ~$7 per dish ~

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Great for a quick lunch, company dinner, or evening get-together.

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Now, I'm usually quite a harsh critic when it comes to Chinese food.

I often find myself saying, "This isn't how it tastes in China..." and because of that, I rarely eat Chinese food with friends in Korea.

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That's because when you go to China, you can find incredibly delicious food for just 20 Chinese Yuan (approximately ~$3).

It's truly phenomenal. But it's hard to find that same flavor profile in Korea, so lately, the only Chinese food I've been eating is hotpot (and absolutely no rotating hotpot places for me!).

So, I walked into Im Sabu Chinese Restaurant Mongkok in Mapo with a mix of apprehension and excitement.

And the conclusion? It was surprisingly good!

The Mapo branch seems to be newer, with the original Im Sabu Chinese Restaurant Mongkok located in Yongsan. Apparently, the chef used to work at a Chinese restaurant in Lotte Hotel before starting this brand.

The interior is filled with Chinese characters, giving it a distinct Hong Kong vibe.

This place perfectly captures that 90s Hong Kong aesthetic. Even the restaurant's name is Mongkok!

Yet, the walls also feature explanations about traditional Chinese Sichuan cuisine and official certifications.

There are descriptions promoting the authentic taste of Szechuan, Szechuan Mapo Tofu, and Szechuan culinary culture, along with official-looking photos.

The menu itself is a fascinating blend of Hong Kong, Szechuan, and even a touch of Korean style. It left me wondering, am I about to experience truly authentic Chinese local cuisine, or something else entirely?

Is Hong Kong just a concept here? Amidst my confusion, I ordered the following:

Szechuan Laziji (spicy fried chicken), Dim Sum, and the restaurant's signature Samseon Haemul Jjampong (spicy seafood noodle soup).

Laziji is a dish from the Szechuan and Chongqing regions of China, made by stir-frying fried chicken with dried chilies, Szechuan peppercorns, garlic, and ginger.

Ultimately, it was the Laziji that truly stole the show and made me want to write this recommendation. It was incredibly delicious and tasted authentically Chinese!

The moment it arrived, the aroma of cumin filled the air. Pure bliss!

It was so good it made me feel like I was back in China.

(My friend thought the chicken was a little dry, but considering this dish was only around ~$7, there was absolutely no room for disappointment in terms of value!)

Shanghai Amanyangyun Hotel Review & Special Deals, Shanghai 2026 | Trip.com3ha.in

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And then there's the true signature dish of Im Sabu Chinese Restaurant Mongkok:

Samseon Haemul Jjampong.

I took these photos mid-meal, so I used official photos because mine were, well, not great.

This was a truly delicious seafood jjampong, with a subtle smoky flavor and a generous amount of ingredients and fresh seafood.

The noodles were thin and flavorful.

It almost felt like eating noodles in Hong Kong... or perhaps reminded me a bit of the smoky jjampong at Paradise Cimer's swimming pool.

I wanted to try the Eohyang Gaji (Sichuan eggplant), but it's only available for dinner, not lunch.

Ah, the dim sum...

...well,

.....I'd still recommend eating dim sum in Hong Kong or mainland China.

If you're in a pinch, just order from Market Kurly.

Home | Market Kurly3ha.in

In any case, Im Sabu Chinese Restaurant Mongkok in Mapo was a surprisingly good and budget-friendly restaurant, even for someone like me with extremely high standards for authentic Chinese food.

They open at 11 AM for lunch, so it seemed popular with office workers in the Gongdeok and Mapo area, though it appeared to be busier in the evenings.

We ordered three dishes and drinks, and the total was under ~$29, making it a great spot for an affordable meal or even a company gathering.

My intention to return? Definitely!

However, next time I'll skip the dim sum and focus more on their Szechuan specialties.

(If you're not as particular about Chinese food as I am, the dim sum is probably fine. But as a dumpling fanatic with 'authentic Chinese food syndrome,' I have high standards!)

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