Seoul | A Quiet Corner in Bustling Insadong: Michelin Bib Gourmand's Kaesong Dumplings Palace and Gyeongin Art Museum

After some observation, it seems that sharing food is more appealing than writing seriously about history, so I want to introduce the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant 'Kaesong Dumplings Palace'. According to the official story, seventy years ago, a daughter-in-law married into the family and learned how to make dumplings from her mother-in-law. They started a small business in Insadong, and it has been passed down for three generations. In recent years, it has been recommended by Michelin Bib Gourmand multiple times, still preserving the traditional flavors. The dumplings come with either meat or kimchi filling, and they are huge. They are light yet flavorful, with a vegetable base, and the beef bone broth adds the perfect finishing touch. While waiting in line, I was shivering from the cold, but after a few sips of the soup, I felt warm. Six dumplings are definitely enough to fill you up. Besides the usual kimchi, they also offer radish water kimchi, which is sour and sweet, refreshing the palate and stimulating the appetite. For groups, you can choose the dumpling hotpot, dumpling and pork belly platter, or pancakes to share. The current owner, the third generation, said something that really attracted me: 'The palace is like a warm harbor for me, and I hope it can warm every customer's heart.' The old Korean house has no luxurious decorations, and the service is not overly attentive. The large windows not only provide light but also allow customers waiting in line to see how the delicious dumplings are made. Next to the palace is the Gyeongin Art Museum, the former residence of Park Yeong-hyo, a late Joseon Dynasty politician. He was an important figure in the Enlightenment Party and the son-in-law of King Cheoljong, as well as a promoter of the Taegukgi (Korean national flag). There are many stories about him, but I won't go into detail. The old Korean house has now been converted into an art museum and tea house, hidden at the end of a quiet alley, as if the bustling Insadong outside is a different world. Next time you visit Insadong, don't forget to walk into this alley, have some dumplings and tea, and experience a different kind of beauty. 📍Address: 11-3 Insadong 10-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea 📍Address: 11-4 Insadong 10-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea