Dongdaemun Special Duck — Restaurant in Seoul

Coming out of Dongdaemun station exit 6, take your first left into the side alley, then a second left and this place is on the second floor.

Went in, ordered the 2 person set meal that comes with half of a duck sliced as well as a duck soup. The soup gets poured into a big sheet pan covered in aluminum foil and the grill is turned on to cook the soup. Don’t eat the soup at this point. It’s supposed to reduce down to the point that it’s not even really a soup.

Then the duck comes out on a special platter that they set on top of the reducing soup. This is some of the best duck I have ever eaten. Perfectly tender and juicy. You can have the duck with a green onion slaw, or with some soy sauce/wasabi. Both great options.

By the time you finish with the duck, the soup will probably still be reducing. It was kind of hard to figure out when it would be ready to eat, but the staff was very nice. One didn’t speak any English, but was able to mime to explain how to eat everything. The other one actually had really good English and service was great. Asked us where we were from and explained everything.

At the end you can also order some rice for only 2000 won to make fried rice with the remaining reduced “soup”. We didn’t do that cause we were already pretty full. The duck was so good that we ordered a whole duck for take out.

The one unpleasant thing about this place is that the chairs and tables are pretty low. I’m 5’10” and have pretty long legs and it’s impossible to fit my legs under the table. Once the grill is turned on you don’t even want to put your legs there. I had to eat kind of leaning towards the table. It wasn’t a huge deal to me, but I wouldn’t recommend a girl wear a skirt here. The food is worth it, only 38,000 won for a 2 person set meal, I can deal with the table situation.

Visit date: 03...

A sophisticated review of a well-prepared duck dish with a perfectly crisp crust might go like this:

The duck served was an exquisite balance of flavor and texture, elevating this classic dish to new heights. From the moment it arrived, the presentation was impeccable: the skin, boasting a deep, golden-brown hue, hinted at the artistry behind its preparation.

Upon the first bite, the crust delivered an impressive crispness that crackled delicately beneath the fork, providing an ideal counterpoint to the succulent, tender meat beneath. The skin, rendered to perfection, avoided any hint of excess grease, which can so often overwhelm the dish. Instead, it was imbued with a deep umami richness, offering layers of flavor—slightly salty, with a whisper of sweetness, and a subtle smokiness that hinted at the mastery of the chef.

The meat itself a harmonious blend of lean and fat, was perfectly cooked—juicy and tender with just the right level of pink at the center, showcasing the careful attention to temperature control. Each bite was a celebration of the natural richness of the duck, enhanced by delicate seasoning that allowed the quality of the bird to shine through without overpowering its...

Loved every part of this meal! Get the set and you won't be disappointed. They smoke their duck and slice it up for you to eat with their chives (seasoned with some light red pepper seasoning). We also got the fried rice which they cook in front of you. Be careful, it's hot! They are very good at reminding you to be careful of the sides that heat up in the pan at the center of the table. Be cautious of where you point your metal chopsticks because metal and metal can conduct heat.) In the mix they stew the duck so you can try it in a different way.

The owner and their son do an amazing job at showing you how to eat the meal and when the food is ready and are very friendly. The father doesn't speak English but he was very patient and kind to us and even went as far to use Google translate to tell us things since we are Chinese - American and do not speak Korean. The son is able to speak English and gave us good tips for travel.

Wish we had more stomach space to eat more of their food! Their portions are huge and...