KOREA 2024: Mokran 목란, Korea Star Chef’s Lee Yeon Bok’s restaurant
[Travel in March 2024]
If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine, you’ve probably heard of Chef Lee Yeon-bok (이연복), the legendary chef who refined Menbosha (멘보샤) and made it a household name in Korea. Originally a Hong Kong-style dish, Menbosha is a deep-fried shrimp toast that became incredibly popular after Chef Lee showcased his version on the TV show “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator” (냉장고를 부탁해). His perfectly crispy, juicy Menbosha gained so much attention that many restaurants and home cooks started recreating it!
Today, I’m excited to share a Chinese restaurant that serves this famous dish—along with many other delicious specialties. If you love crispy shrimp toast and authentic flavors, this is a place you won’t want to miss! Keep reading for all the details.
You can spot Chef Lee banner right outside the doorstep!
Many cars are also waiting too! We are one of the first few to reach 🙂
Do remembered to make reservation because no reservation = no seat! haha!
The menu!
The menu is in Chinese, making it easy to order if you don’t read Korean—though there are no photos, so be prepared to recognize dish names! 😆
Heads up! The Menbosha (멘보샤) needs to be pre-ordered when making a reservation. Since I booked online, I couldn’t place the order in advance, but luckily, the staff checked with the kitchen, and they had extras for us! Super lucky! 🍀🔥
Are you ready?
the pickle that is free! 🙂
Ordered 2 bowl of JJM for sharing – It’s 10,000 won per bowl! 🙂
Did you know, we have this “must-do” things in Korea is to have JJM on our last day of our trip! 🙂
They do have prawn in it, that explain why its slightly more expensive than normal JJM
You have to order tangsukyuk when eating JJM, its come as a pair! haha!
Have to order this for shumin, her favourite! 🙂
I definitely must try their Menbosha (멘보샤)!
I absolutely love how thick and juicy the patty is—made with real prawns! 🦐✨ The bread is thin and perfectly crispy, creating the ideal contrast. I mean, nothing beats a dish that’s so simple yet incredibly hard to execute perfectly, right? 😍🔥
We really had to be this lucky to get our hands on it since we didn’t pre-order! 😆 Feeling so thankful that they had extras for us—what a treat! 🙌✨
Direction to Mokran 목란
We took a bus from Hongdae Station and got off at Yeonhui-dong Community Center. To get here, you can take Bus 7612, 7734, or 7739. Once you arrive, just follow my step-by-step guide coming up next!
Walk towards the traffic light
Continue to walk straight
Cross the road and walk straight
Cross the road at GS25! and turn right to the alley beside!
Continue to walk straight
Continue to walk straight
You will see a chinese restaurant here! turn left 🙂
Walk straight, you will see the restaurant on your right!
You are almost
here already!
😀
Your Menbosha (멘보샤) is waiting for you! 🙂
Mokran 목란, Korea Star Chef’s Lee Yeon Bok’s restaurant
Address: 21 Yeonhui-ro 15-gil, Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-324-8300
Nearest Subway Station: Hongdae Station
Operating Hours: 11.30am – 3.00pm, 5.00pm – 9.20pm (Tue to Sun), Closed Mon
Costing: 122,000 Won
HELLOSIHUI’S THOUGHTS:
I think this is definitely worth trying, especially if your hotel or Airbnb doesn’t allow you to order delivery yourself. This might just be one of the best options in Seoul! That said, I personally still prefer the delivery versions—they’re packed with umami, and the way they’re sealed during delivery keeps everything moist and flavorful! 😂🔥
you can check out this post that we order delivery – https://hellosihui.com/2019/11/26/seoul-august-2019-accommodation/
HELLOSIHUI’S TIPS:
Must make reservation, and order in advance for Menbosha (멘보샤)!
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Air Tickets
Singapore > Incheon: Korean Air Ticket – SGD891.40
Gimpo > Cheju: Korean Air Ticket – SGD177.99
Brown Suites Hotel Sinchon Central
Room Type: Deluxe Double Room City View – SGD412.24 (3 Nights)
~ SGD137.40 per night / SGD68.70 per night per pax
L7 Hongdae
Room Type: Standard Double Room – SGD1,584.78 (2 Nights 2 Rooms)
~ SGD396.195 per night / SGD198 per night per pax
Jeju Airbnb
Room Type: Landed with 2 Bedroom – SGD903.44 (3 Nights)
~ SGD301 per night / SGD75.25 per night per pax
Transport
Airport Transfer 6002 Bus Limousine: 17,000won
Private Transport: Kakao Taxi and payment via Youtrip
Within Seoul: T-Money
Car Rental with Insurance: SGD439.56 (via Lotte Car Rental)
Camera Canon R50, Go Pro 12 Hero, iPhone 14 Pro Max
Follow me: IG @superstarhui
#hellosihuigoeskorea for Korea travels