Fried Ginseng and Rice Wine Sorbet at Chin Chin

Crispy Fried Ginseng at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae
Sometimes you have to give a restaurant a second chance. Chin Chin in Hongdae had a reputation for having great food, however, I never understood the hype. My first experience at Chin Chin was...meh. The rice wine, makgeolli, was great-but the food wasn't anything spectacular. I ordered a grilled mackerel dish and I remember getting an tiny, almost spoiled fish- it didn't go well with the Makgeolli. The chef, a recent graduate of CIA, was bolting out the door as soon as it was served. I mentioned my problem with the dish and they told me the kitchen had closed.

The second time I went, I stuck with just the Makgeolli.

My last trip back, I noticed that the excellent makgeolli was still there, but there was a new chef. The food had traditional Korean flavor fused with modern techniques and plating. I was utterly amazed. My favorite dish was the very crispy, tempura ginseng. The battered, pan-seared fish was also excellent.

Name: Chin Chin (친친)
Phone: 02-334-1476, 010-7252-2001
English Spoken, English Menu
Type: Makeolli (Korean Rice Wine) Bar and Fusion Restaurant
Directions: Go out Hongdae Station Exit 5 and make a left and the second right (at Coffee Brown). Go all the way up to Hongdae University Entrance. At the intersection in front of Hongdae, make a left. You'll find Chin Chin next to Starbucks.
Address: 343-9, Sekyo-dong, Mapo-ku, Seoul, Korea (서울시 마포구 서교동 343-9)

Frozen Makgeolli Sorbet at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae



The Grains of Rice Lights at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae
Frozen Makgeolli Sorbet at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae
Makgeolli at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae
Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae
Raw Fish Salad at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae
Battered, Pan Fried Fish at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae
North Korean Beer at Chin Chin Makgeolli Bar in Hongdae

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