`Eedam` in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul

The history of traditional Chinese dumplings dates back to the Qin Dynasty. Xian in China, famous for the royal tomb of Qin Shihuangdi (BC 259-BC210), is also renowned for restaurants specializing in dumplings.

Of them, "Dopachang¡¯¡¯ with more than 60 years¡¯ in the business, is famous for the diverse shapes of its dumplings. "Eedam¡¯¡¯ in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, employs chefs with more than 15 years` experience at the Chinese restaurant, and serves traditional Chinese dumplings called "Xian Flowers.¡¯¡¯

About 20 kinds of dumplings of various shapes and colors are on the menu at Eedam, whose named is derived from a Chinese literary work. Customers may be surprised at the various shapes of its dumplings, which include monkey, duck, chick, hedgehog, rabbit, crab, goldfish, butterfly, lotus, rose, leaf and weather vane. Upon seeing them, many customers openly wonder how dumplings in such shapes could be made.

Of the dumplings, Meikui, priced at 8,000 won, is a favorite choice of women for its sweetness. It comes in the shape of a red rose and is stuffed with pecans, beans, sesame and honey.

Peiyu, also priced at 8,000 won, comes in the shape of a butterfly, is stuffed with shrimp and chicken breast and tastes like sesame.

Chinshyang (9,000 won), in the shape of a leaf, is stuffed with vegetables and chicken, while Jiangshangxien (9,000 won), in the shape of a seal, is stuffed with seafood.

For lunch, the restaurant recommends "jajangmyon¡¯¡¯ (Koreanized Chinese noodles with bean sauce). This dish, a favorite of Korean children, is made of noodles from China and is priced at 6,000 won.

Also recommended are fried rice (6,000 won), boiled dumplings (8,000 won) and the 10,000-won lunch set. The latter features three dishes, including crab meat soup, six different kinds of dumplings, and jajangmyon.

Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended and valet parking is offered free of charge. For further information call 082-518-5867.

Dentist Kim Jae-Chan