Chloe R.

The great dumpling debate rages on while everyone "in the know" (including the Koreans) of Adelaide go to Mandoo. Mandoo is a tiny little hole in the wall in Bank St, run by the sweetest Korean couple who on the night proved to us there were famous (they were featured in the Advertiser). It is the most welcoming venue on a cold winter's night but you will struggle to get a table if you get there anywhere between 6pm-7:30pm in the cold season. Our eyes were almost bigger than our stomachs when we saw the Mandoo Hot Pot on the menu until we saw one come out - not recommended for a 2 person share (more like 3-4)! We settled for 6 pork and 6 chicken steamed dumplings with a serving of Vegetarian Bibimbap. Like a true foreigner we ate our meal the completely wrong way, and were given some concerning looks by our waitress, when mixing the clear soup broth we were given with the Bibimbap ingredients and with our steamed dumplings. Note to self: Bibimbap is meant to be eaten like a salad. Despite that little hiccup everything was so refreshingly light and packed with flavour. The meat was cooked to perfection and the dumplings had plenty of "juice" to suck from them. The salad was crispy (prior to being dumped in salty soup goodness) and a huge serving - enough for 2. Meals came out quickly and this is a great place to go if you are on the run. They also do takeaway which is on the cards next season for me on the way home from work!

Natasha S.

I've tried going to Mandoo many times. Usually I start at the Train Station, make my way past Mamak Corner which is closed, and then stare through the windows of Mandoo interested but also disappointed. Interested because I've heard they do great dumplings. Disappointed because it's always packed and there is usually a crowd of people already waiting outside. Thankfully I managed to finally sneak in on a Wednesday afternoon at around 4pm. I was instantly greeted by a friendly man who I assumed was the owner. He was sitting down having a chat at one of the tables, but he did a quick look around, saw everyone else was busy, and jumped up straight away to serve me. I went for the steamed kim chi dumplings, kim chi has been a favourite of mine since International schooling in Vietnam when I'd hang around my Korean friends at lunch time staring jealously into their bento boxes (I'm sure I'm committing a real faux pas here using a Japanese word... but you get my drift). My dumplings and udon noodles came out quickly, and they were a bit more stylish than the likes of Dumpling King. Each dumpling looked perfect. They tasted delicious as well, especially when dipped into the accompanying sauce. The other thing I loved about this place: they had instructions for how to eat a Korean Hot Pot. I've never ordered a hot pot in my life because I've always been worried I'll 'eat it wrong'. So maybe I'll suck up the courage at Mandoo, using their menu as a guide.

Anita D.

I don't think it is a secret anymore that Mandoo is one of Adelaide's hotspots for amazing dumplings. Actually, I am calling it; they are my favourite dumplings in Adelaide. Now, I must note that these dumplings are a heck of a lot different to the Chinese variety. They are more like dim sums. They are large, packed full of meat, veg, and served with the most delicious sweet fermented style sauce with green onion and chilli. They are served either steamed or fried. The sides are also just so awesome! They are served with pickles!! Yup, pickles! In fact, if you go into this restaurant with a bunch of friends they will give you a whole jar of them! I could actually just eat a jar of pickles for lunch, they are that good. But, you get a lovely Korean style salad dressed with a sweet style mayo and a little mashed potato. It all just works so well. The flavours of everything with the dumplings are at harmony. Balanced saltiness, sweetness, and complimented with the pickles and fermented sauce. This is what I love so much about Korean Cuisine. I only wish this restaurant was bigger. There are only around 8 tables (I think). You will commonly find a line outside the door. But, in saying that. The staff do well to keep up with the demand. You can watch the dumplings being made right in front of you while you dine. You can also see that the staff work so well together and friendly to customers. If you have friends from interstate this is a restaurant you want to take them to for lunch. It is definitely something to show off. Also, this is awesome food to eat if you are going out for a big night in town. My only regret is that I have not tried their bibimbap yet. I have heard that it is really good. I will return to try it and update my review. I just find it so hard not to order dumplings here. hahaha

Luke B.

I am a self confessed dumpling slut. In Melbourne it's Shanghai Street for me. Sydney, Din Tai Fung. In Adelaide, Mandoo has definitely got the moves!! The Kim Chi dumplings are a joy. A bundle of delicious fermented cabbage wrapped up in a crispy shell. A treat! A modern day dim sim. Authentic Korean taste too. The pork dumplings are amazing. The subtlety of texture yet punchy flavour means you'll eat them all and want more. The cucumber and cold potato mash condiments are a nice included touch too. Korean food is not Korean food without a good accompiament or seven. I look forward to getting back here on my next Adelaide trip. Thanks a plenty Mandoo.

Jeff E.

Mandoo came recommended by a friend. Well sort of, he said go to "Bank St and try the noodle joint beside Aussie Pizza House." Err noodles..? Mandoo means 'dumpling' in Korea. I awkwardly wondered around, but 'Mr. Noodles' was no where in sight, so I called into Mandoo's. By this point my lunch break was dwindling. Things picked up for me however with the quick and notably precise service, the server pronounced my take-away dumplings would be "three minutes." There's not enough compartmentalized meals in Adelaide, or that's what I think. So it was a pleasant surprise to have the dumplings accompanied with some tasty friends --a scoop of cold mashed potato, chopped pickles and a salad. Tidy-like, in their own lil homes. It's cool how they let you do half and half. I tried the fried vegetable and pork dumplings. The dumplings are nice, but not the "ish." The filling lets them down a little, too much filler (noodles). Like the fried dumplings, the staff are golden. Kind and genuine. They strike the right balance of trying very hard yet maintaining a comfortable environment. Overall a pleasant experience, I'll be back to try the bi-bim-bab and kim-chi dumplings.

Aaron T.

Not my favorite style of dumplings but they are good at what they do I guess. Fried ones were a bit dry inside, and with no liquor license I couldn't wash them down with a beer or wine. The staff are really friendly and they make the dumplings fresh in front of you so you know they're not pre made and frozen. Not too keen on their sauce either; I asked for soy sauce... How embarrassing for my dinner companions

Reuben W.

The staff was very friendly, and the prices were decent...now onto the food.. The friend dumplings were amazing...even better was their home made sauce..dont be afraid to ask for more, they are happy to give it!

David M.

Wow, this place is the real deal. Mandoo serves authentic Korean style dumplings on Bank Street. Perhaps some of the best I have tried in Adelaide, the menu has a great variety of flavours to choose from and the pricing is quite fair. The restaurant itself is cosy with not many tables and chairs so on busy nights like Friday and Saturday it is good to get there early otherwise you may to have wait outside for a bit. I tried the steamed vegetarian dumplings which were served with a salad and a small amount of mashed potato. The dumplings were made well and tasted very fresh. The sauces they used were also very flavoursome and by no means bland. I also tried some of their fried vegetarian dumplings which were quite nice too and were served with a coleslaw style side that was covered in a spicy sauce. All in all, I highly recommend trying this place if you are in to dumplings.

Wing ..

I really wish that Yelp has a 1/2 star coz I want to rate this a 3.5. A 3 star rate is not fair but I also dont feel like rounding it up to 4. Anyway, this is my second time to visit Mandoo. This was introduced to me by my Korean friend. We ordered dumplings and I found it ok but not really impressive. We were a group of 4 in my recent visit. It was late night but luckily there was no long line. We ordered the spicy hot pot. Honestly, I was in awe with the overall presentation of the meal. It looks so pleasant and delicious. However, taste wise, it's just ok. I feel disappointed with myself because I really want to love it. I think the main key there is the soup coz it holds all the flavour from that dish... and I just find it lacking somehow... or maybe it's just not my taste.I mean, I like all the ingredients in that hot pot especially the tofu and the bacon... but I should also find the soup really yummy to make me crave for that hot pot again. Otherwise, it's just something that I'm glad I've experienced. Customer service is really good. The guy who served us is naturally friendly. For a popular restaurant like Mandoo, I think having a staff with a pleasant personality really adds to the positive impression for that restaurant. Despite my 3.5 rating (I really want to emphasize that there's a .5 haha), I still want to recommend this restaurant to others. Maybe you guys would find their food more into your liking than mine. PS I'll probably go back for their fried dumplings and bibimbap. I dont think I've gauged them that well yet until I've tried more of their dishes.

Chloe L.

In the last year or so Bank St has had a whole bunch of new eateries open - partially because of the new student housing development. Mandoo is one of my favourites. Dumplings are an important part of any balanced diet (yep!) and Korean dumplings (mandoo) are very, very excellent. There are a range of different dumplings here, my favourites are the kim chi ones. The chef makes them by hand behind the counter, and it is definitely impressive to watch. I can barely wrap a present neatly, let alone make a perfect dumpling. Mandoo dumplings are very fresh, with vermicelli and spring onion inside. Nom nom nom. You can get a set of right for ten bucks, it comes with an odd little scoop of mashed potato, some salad and pickles. They come steamed or fried - they aren't too soggy so they are great steamed, but if you are a big fan of crispiness, fried is good too. Mandoo also does great bibimbap, and dumpling soup. The service is really lovely - a family-run business and very friendly. If you want to do something special they also offer a great hot-pot - a big hot plate of soup in the middle with lots of ingredients that you can add. It's a nice place to eat - not too fancy but neat and tidy with cute bamboo imitation lino.

Fifi D.

Probably my favourite Korean BABIMBAP in Australia. Dumplings are hand made and delicious, nice to see a vegetarian dumpling mastered. Gets pretty busy and is a small establishment, no frills. BABIMBAP is $16 and dumplings with it are $8. Wonderful fresh meal

Joyce V.

The bi bim Bab was recommended, hence am here to check it out. True to word it was a flavoursome one with plenty of accompaniments, the beef was perfect n the clear soup was just perfect. The last time I was here, I only had the dumpling n this time around with 2 of us, I was able to try the kimchi dumpling. So glad we did, it had smashed tofu, minced pork etc as filling. Awesome with the dipping sauce. Definitely well satisfied lunch n all I need now is a nice ice cream on a warm spring day on my way home.

Gina L.

This place opens from 11:30am, not as said here from 10:30am, so don't come too early. We were asked to leave first time coming in lol. The hot pot is amazing! The pork is so well seasoned and has noodles and dumplings plus a whole lot of fish cakes and vegetables! Yummmmmm and it's heavenly in a cold rainy day! The side dishes are amazing too! The staff was there helping us and explaining to us how to eat it, and constantly looking over just to make sure everything is alright, always ready to give us a hand. Try to come in as soon as they are open as this place is quite small and even its lunch time, every table is full.