Apgujeong Gadam: A Hidden Gem of Authentic Old-School Chinese Cuisine in Seoul – Must-Try Dishes & Honest Review

Hey everyone! Today’s “Mukbang” (eating broadcast) takes us to a truly special place. After a rigorous diet, it’s finally cheat day, and boy, have I earned it! After a hungry night and a morning workout, I’m ready to indulge in some delicious food. Let’s head inside and talk about this amazing restaurant.

Discovering Gadam: A Legacy of Huagyo Chinese Cuisine

We’re at Gadam in Apgujeong, a Chinese restaurant run by Huagyo (overseas Chinese) owners with a long history. I’ve been thinking a lot about food prices lately, especially when reviewing restaurants for my audience. I want to introduce delicious food, but price sensitivity is always on my mind. This restaurant, Gadam, is one I’ve wanted to visit since the beginning of “Mukbang.” While it’s on the pricier side, it’s worth it. I remember coming here with comedian Yoo Se-hoon about two years ago – we had quite a night here!

Gadam is well-known and has been featured in many places. What really convinced me to finally review it was comparing it to another famous, expensive restaurant, Hongmyeong. Hongmyeong is pricey, yet I hardly see complaints about it being expensive in the comments, maybe because a world-famous star introduced it. I actually paid for a meal at Hongmyeong once, including their expensive Mongji Lam liquor – I don’t even want to say how much it cost! But Gadam’s dish prices are similar, and the taste is absolutely not inferior. In fact, in my personal opinion, Gadam might even be better.

Must-Try Dishes at Gadam: Focusing on Culinary Art

The highlight at Gadam is definitely their dishes (Yori). They are all incredibly delicious, thanks to the skilled Huagyo chefs. While their noodle dishes like Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) and Jjampong (spicy seafood noodle soup) are decent, they are more Korean-style and not as strong as their dishes. Think of Gadam as a place to savor exquisite Chinese cuisine rather than just casual noodles.

Today, I’m focusing on Nanja Wanis (Braised Meatballs with Vegetables). It’s a dish I want to enjoy with a drink. They also have amazing Crab Meat Soup (Gesal Seulsoup), but it’s quite expensive at 88,000 won. If you have the budget, it’s worth trying. For those looking for something similar but more affordable, there are other places that do delicious, rich, stir-fried dishes, which I’ll introduce in the future. Today, we’re skipping the crab and going for Nanja Wanis and Gochutangsuyuk (Spicy Sweet and Sour Pork), a popular choice.

Nanja Wanis and Gochutangsuyuk: A Perfect Pairing

I ordered both Nanja Wanis and Gochutangsuyuk (large size), along with a Tsingtao beer. This kind of place is perfect for bringing parents. They excel in seafood dishes like sea cucumber and abalone, and rich, savory sauces. These kinds of dishes are hard to find done well, but Gadam truly masters them. In my opinion, almost all of their dishes are fantastic, while the noodle dishes are a bit simpler and might seem bland to those used to strong Korean flavors. However, surprisingly, their Jajangmyeon, even at 10,000 won, is delicious. It might not be the absolute best Jajangmyeon, but I prefer it over their Jjampong. Their fried rice is also good, with a classic Huagyo-style flavor.

Gochutangsuyuk (Spicy Sweet and Sour Pork) has become famous on Instagram. While it’s popular, I personally prefer their regular Gogi Twigim (Fried Pork) when I come here – perfect for a drinking session. But today, I wanted to introduce something more mainstream. The staff here are all Chinese, adding to the authentic atmosphere. The complimentary tea pairs wonderfully with the dishes. Interestingly, the style of Nanja Wanis varies greatly from restaurant to restaurant. Gadam’s style, similar to Hongmyeong, is rich and savory with a dark, deeply flavored sauce and firm meatballs. Other places might have a lighter, less intensely flavored version. It really comes down to personal preference.

Overall, Gadam is a fantastic restaurant, especially for their dishes. If you’re looking for authentic, old-school Huagyo Chinese cuisine in Apgujeong, Gadam is a must-visit. While it’s not a budget-friendly spot for everyday students, it’s perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself or your parents to a truly delicious meal.

Restaurant Information:

• Restaurant Name: Gadam (가담)
• Location: Apgujeong, Seoul, South Korea (압구정, 서울)
• Cuisine: Chinese (Huagyo Style)
• General Rating: Highly Recommended (Based on review)