Mangwon Market is always full of energy.
The narrow market lanes were crowded with local shoppers, food lovers, and international visitors looking for traditional Korean market food.
On this visit, I went to Wooyirak Mangwon Main Branch (우이락 망원본점), a popular restaurant inside Mangwon Market known for its oversized Korean fried chili peppers.
Wooyirak Mangwon Main Branch Location
Address:
22 Poeun-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 마포구 포은로8길 22
Nearest subway station:
Mangwon Station (망원역), Seoul Subway Line 6, Exit 2
📍 View Wooyirak Mangwon Main Branch on Google Maps
Wooyirak is located inside Mangwon Market and is within walking distance of Mangwon Station. Search for Wooyirak Mangwon Main Branch (우이락 망원본점) on the map because the restaurant now has several locations around Seoul.
When I arrived, there were already 12 groups ahead of me.
Fortunately, the line moved faster than expected. Some people may have left while waiting, and I was called sooner than I had anticipated.
Wooyirak uses a kiosk ordering system. The menu includes its signature fried chili peppers as well as dishes such as tteokbokki and jjolmyeon.
I also noticed an interesting selection of regional Korean rice wines and other alcoholic drinks.
What Is Gochu Twigim?
Since I usually eat fried food with beer, I decided to try something different and ordered makgeolli.
Gochu twigim (고추튀김) means Korean fried chili pepper.
It is usually made by slicing open a large green chili pepper, filling it with a mixture of minced meat, tofu, vegetables, or other ingredients, and coating it in batter before deep-frying it.
Despite the word “chili,” it is not always very spicy. The large green peppers commonly used for this dish are often mild, while the savory filling provides most of the flavor.
The result is different from simple vegetable tempura. The outside is crisp, while the stuffed center remains moist, savory, and surprisingly filling.
Wooyirak’s Famous Fried Chili Pepper
I had not eaten stuffed fried chili peppers since trying them in Apgujeong many years ago, so I was curious to taste them again.
At the time of my visit, an order of three fried chili peppers cost 12,000 won.
I had also seen other stalls in Mangwon Market selling fried chili peppers for around 3,000 won each. Wooyirak’s version was more expensive, but the peppers were much larger and generously filled.
At first glance, they almost looked like fried dumplings or meat patties.
The batter was crisp, while the inside was moist and packed with a savory meat filling. Each bite was rich and juicy, and the green pepper helped balance the heavier fried coating.
Fried Chili Peppers and Makgeolli
I paired the fried chili peppers with Jipyeong Makgeolli (지평막걸리).
It was my first time pairing fried food with makgeolli, as I normally order beer with anything deep-fried.
The combination worked better than I expected.
The lightly sweet and smooth rice wine balanced the richness of the fried peppers. It also made the meal feel more like a traditional Korean market experience.
A small plate of shrimp-flavored crackers was served as a complimentary snack. They were simple but surprisingly addictive with the makgeolli.
Jjolmyeon Was the Perfect Side Dish
Three fried chili peppers were not enough for two people, especially since we had arrived hungry.
Other tables were ordering tteokbokki and additional side dishes. After leaving a review, we received a complimentary serving of jjolmyeon (쫄면) as part of a review promotion.
Jjolmyeon is a Korean noodle dish made with thick, chewy noodles mixed in a spicy, sweet, and tangy red sauce. It is often served with vegetables such as cabbage, cucumber, and bean sprouts.
I already love jjolmyeon, but the version at Wooyirak was especially satisfying. The sauce had a good balance of sweetness, acidity, and heat, and the noodles had a pleasantly chewy texture.
More importantly, the fresh and spicy flavor helped cut through the richness of the fried peppers.
If I return, I would order the fried chili peppers and jjolmyeon together from the beginning. They complement each other much better than eating the fried peppers alone.
We Ordered Another Round
The jjolmyeon brought my appetite back, so we ordered another serving of fried chili peppers.
We also added a draft beer.
Unfortunately, the beer tasted somewhat flat and lacked the refreshing carbonation I expected, so I did not finish it.
For my taste, the makgeolli was a much better match for Wooyirak’s fried chili peppers.
Even if you usually prefer beer with fried food, this is a good place to try the Korean combination of gochu twigim and makgeolli.
Is Wooyirak at Mangwon Market Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you want to try a filling Korean market snack with traditional rice wine.
The fried chili peppers are larger and more substantial than ordinary market-style vegetable fritters. The crisp coating, juicy filling, and mild green pepper create a satisfying combination.
However, three pieces may not be enough for two hungry people. I recommend adding jjolmyeon or tteokbokki to make the meal more complete.
Wooyirak now has several locations around Seoul, so I would also like to visit another branch in the future.
Still, eating its signature fried chili peppers with makgeolli inside the lively Mangwon Market made this visit especially memorable.
Explore More of Seoul
If you are visiting Seoul for the first time, the Seoul City Tour Bus Downtown Palace and Namsan Course can be a convenient way to see several major attractions in one day.
The hop-on hop-off route includes stops near popular places such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Namsan Seoul Tower, and Myeong-dong. You can get off at the places that interest you and take a later bus when you are ready to continue.
Check Seoul City Tour Bus tickets and current route details on Klook
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. If you book through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Tour routes, schedules, and prices may change, so please check the booking page for the latest information.
More Seoul Market Food
Planning another traditional market visit in Seoul? Explore these local market food experiences.
Visit Namdaemun Market’s famous Kalguksu Alley for a generous meal with chalbap, cold noodles, and soybean paste soup.
Namdaemun Market Food: My Honest Lunch at Kalguksu Alley
Try gireum tteokbokki, a traditional pan-fried rice cake dish, at Tongin Market near Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Tongin Market Seoul: Gireum Tteokbokki and Local Food
Before shopping at Dongmyo Flea Market, stop at Gwangju Sikdang for spicy dongtaetang filled with pollock, radish, tofu, and seafood.