Located in the heart of Seoul, Dongdaemun Mongolian Town is a unique neighborhood filled with an exotic atmosphere rarely found in the city. Here stands Zalus, a restaurant that has quietly preserved the essence of Mongolian cuisine for 18 years. Established in 2006, Zalus is recognized as one of the longest-running Mongolian restaurants in Korea.
More than just a place to eat, Zalus has served as a cultural bridge between Korea and Mongolia, introducing authentic flavors and traditions to local diners. For Koreans planning a trip to Mongolia—or those curious about unfamiliar Mongolian food—Zalus is often considered an essential stop before experiencing the cuisine abroad.
Signature dishes such as Sharsan Khairak (grilled ribs) and Buuz (steamed dumplings) have earned widespread acclaim among food enthusiasts, and the restaurant’s authenticity has been recognized by major media outlets including The Chosun Ilbo and Arirang TV in 2016. At Zalus, dining becomes more than a meal—it marks the beginning of a culinary journey through Mongolia’s history and culture. With rich lamb dishes and distinctive Mongolian seasonings, guests can experience the spirit of the vast Mongolian steppe in every bite. Begin your true gastronomic adventure at Zalus, where Mongolia’s warm hospitality is expressed through food.
Zalus partnered with easyMenu X Mongolia to help guests better understand Mongolian cuisine. What impressed the Zalus team most about easyMenu was its clear and detailed explanations of each dish—describing how it is prepared, what flavors to expect, and the cultural background behind it.
By addressing the curiosity and uncertainty surrounding unfamiliar Mongolian dishes, easyMenu makes it easier for guests to choose with confidence, a point that strongly resonated with the restaurant’s owner.
While the project began with the expectation that it would benefit many diners, fully implementing all of easyMenu’s features in the restaurant has taken time. At present, the menu lists dish names in Korean, but detailed descriptions are still being prepared.
Zalus joined the easyMenu project specifically to address this gap; however, the restaurant has chosen not to deploy the system fully yet. The team is currently working to improve the consistency between food photos and descriptions before introducing easyMenu for on-site use, and as a result, the offline menu is still in place.
This careful approach reflects Zalus’s deep understanding of easyMenu’s potential, as well as its commitment to delivering a complete and polished user experience. Rather than rushing adoption, the restaurant is taking thoughtful steps to ensure that guests encounter Mongolian cuisine in the most accurate and meaningful way possible.
Zalus joined the easyMenu project with the expectation that its detailed dish explanations would be especially helpful for guests exploring Mongolian cuisine. However, at present, easyMenu’s offline menu is not fully in use inside the restaurant, which means Korean-language descriptions on site may be limited.
Visitors should also note that the number of staff members who are fluent in Korean is limited. For this reason, those who wish to take full advantage of easyMenu’s greatest strength—its clear and detailed food explanations—are strongly encouraged to check Zalus’s online menu before visiting.
The online menu provides in-depth information on each dish, including ingredients, preparation methods, and flavor profiles. Reviewing this information in advance allows guests to make more confident and satisfying menu choices once they arrive. A small step of preparation can greatly enhance the overall dining experience, leading to a deeper understanding and greater enjoyment of Mongolian cuisine.
At Zalus, approximately 60–70% of visitors are Korean—an indication of how the restaurant’s long history has attracted many Koreans interested in Mongolian culture and cuisine. First-time Korean guests often arrive with photos of dishes such as Sharsan Khairak (grilled ribs) or Narin Mah Khorog (finely sliced meat), pointing to the images and saying, “This looks delicious,” before placing their order.
In recent years, another popular choice has emerged among Korean diners: Khuushuur (Mongolian fried dumplings). Many guests come specifically to try it after seeing Korean celebrities enjoy the dish on television.
Meanwhile, Mongolian locals tend to favor more traditional staples, including Buuz, Khuushuur, Tsuivan (stir-fried noodles), and Banshtai Tsai (dumpling soup tea).
By offering dishes loved by both Korean diners and Mongolian locals, Zalus presents Mongolian cuisine from multiple perspectives—bridging familiar tastes with authentic traditions and showcasing the diverse appeal of Mongolia’s food culture.
The owner of Zalus recalls a moment he will never forget. Shortly after the restaurant was featured in a newspaper during its early days, he watched long lines of Korean customers waiting outside—newspapers in hand. That scene made him realize that Zalus had become more than just a restaurant; it was serving as an important bridge, introducing Mongolian culture to Korea through food.
Inspired by that experience, the owner hopes that easyMenu will help reduce the number of questions like, “What kind of dish is this?” by placing clear explanations directly on the menu—so guests can read, understand, and order with confidence. As he explains, both Korean and international visitors often ask, “How is this dish made?” Having those answers readily available would not only satisfy diners’ curiosity, but also ease the workload of the staff.
This perspective reflects the owner’s thoughtful consideration for both guests and employees. Moving forward, Zalus will continue its efforts to introduce the richness of Mongolian cuisine to a wider audience, while working with easyMenu to create a more accessible and comfortable dining experience for everyone.
For 18 years, Zalus has faithfully preserved the flavors and spirit of Mongolia in the heart of Dongdaemun. While fully implementing easyMenu on site will take time, the owner’s sincere dedication and warm consideration for guests remain unchanged.
For those who wish to experience the deep, rich flavors of authentic Mongolian cuisine without leaving Seoul, Zalus is undoubtedly one of the finest choices. With heartfelt gratitude to every guest who visits, the owner continues to uphold a simple promise: to always serve the most delicious food possible. At Zalus, diners are invited to enjoy genuine Mongolian dishes and fully immerse themselves in the world of distinctive, international flavors.
