If you to get some xiaolongbao, shaomai or dandan noodles at this affordable dim sum joint in Seochon, hurry and get there before 2pm; their ingredients are likely to run out way before their regular closing hour, while calling them won’t help you as the staff will be running around serving all of the hungry souls lining up outside the restaurant.
Upon walking in, you'll notice the bright red and orange-colored interior while being welcomed by the extremely inviting waiting staff. In the menu, there are 5 different types of dim sum, 3 types of entrées, 3 types of noodles dishes and the shrimp fried rice. A quick glance into the kitchen will have you notice how delicately each piece of dim sum is created. It's certainly a scene that makes you tempted to try all 5 types of dim sum — if it feels too difficult to decide, you can go with the Podam Xiaolongbao and the Shrimp Shaomai the house special and the photogenic choice, respectively. The xiaolongbao's wrapped in an extremely thin skin which was strong enough to hold the filling yet almost melted away in my mouth. Although the amount of broth inside was shy of the expected amount, but with a generous amount of meal that it's based, it was quite rich. The shaomai was equally flavorful. Wrapped in seaweed, topped with bright orange-colored flying fish roe, it is also definitely Instagram-worthy. The dandan noodles, though, were our least favorite, as the broth was rather bland. It's got a strong peanut flavor, but it didn't make up for the noticeable lack of savoriness.
Overall, Podam does deliver what it promises to offer in its name: "wrapped lightness." The light and silky dim sums are quite scrumptious and instantly satisfying. Do be wary, though: afterward, they seem to quickly melt away from your stomach as well.