Suwon Chinese restaurant: half duck, large mapo tofu, Mirim Yangjang

Where should you go when you want Peking duck in Suwon? My boyfriend had never tried it, so I went searching and ended up at Mirim Yangjang (미림양장) in Time Villas at Suwon Station.

At Mirim Yangjang, the wrong menu choice changes the whole mood. Do you leave after just the Peking duck, or go on to a proper meal too? That one choice decides how satisfied you'll be. I wavered at first too, but there was only one conclusion: this combination never fails. Let me walk you through why, based on real experience.

Where is Mirim Yangjang Suwon, and how is the parking?

Mirim Yangjang is on the 3rd floor of Time Villas at Suwon Station, and you park in the Time Villas parking lot. I found it while looking for good food near Suwon Station, and it turned out to be a Time Villas find.

It's easy to reach, so it's convenient if you're hunting for a good place in Suwon. Since it's in a shopping mall, there's plenty of parking, which is why it's a stress-free pick for a group dinner near Suwon Station. Drive over and you won't have any worries.

The table setting is neat and totally Chinese-restaurant style, and the staff were kind.

What's the atmosphere like at Mirim Yangjang?

Even from a distance Mirim Yangjang screams Chinese restaurant, and as soon as you walk in you see Peking ducks hanging in a row. That was the thing that caught my eye at the entrance.

They say these aren't just for display; they're the ducks actually used for cooking. That convinced me: yes, this really is a Peking duck place. I'll admit I was extra hopeful because it's run by a Chinese-Korean (hwagyo) family.

Spices and cooking methods vary a lot in Chinese food, so I was looking forward to this, and at Mirim Yangjang you really can taste the difference.

The inside is calmer than I expected. If you're looking for a drinking spot near Suwon Station, it isn't noisy, and the layout is good for conversation, so it works for a group dinner too.

What's on the menu: is Peking duck alone enough?

The signature dish at Mirim Yangjang is Peking duck, and even half a duck is plenty. And here's the important part: meal dishes can be ordered in a large portion. This is really great.

Peking duck alone might leave you wanting more, but add something like mapo tofu (spicy Sichuan tofu) and the meal feels complete.

Even among Suwon restaurants, a pairing this good is rare. So here's a question: do you leave after just the duck, or add a meal? I'd say add one, absolutely.

Half a Peking duck with a large mapo tofu

This time we chose half a Peking duck and a large mapo tofu. Conclusion first: this combination is the right answer.

The Peking duck at Mirim Yangjang is crisp outside and moist inside. It's fatty but not heavy. And now the key part: how to eat Peking duck properly.

How to eat Peking duck properly

• Place a piece of duck on a thin pancake (jeonbyeong)
• Add cucumber and scallion shreds
• Add a little sauce
• Roll it up and eat it in one bite

That combination is the finished dish. The cucumber adds texture and the scallion shreds lift the aroma. The sharp bite of the scallion especially cuts the grease, so you keep reaching for more. Eating it this way really feels like being at a proper Peking duck restaurant.

Mapo tofu with a subtle mala aroma

The mapo tofu has a completely different charm. The mala (numbing-spicy) spice is alive in it, but it spreads subtly rather than hitting you hard, which makes it feel deeper.

Eating some Peking duck, then a spoonful of mapo tofu: that flow is really good. The mala aroma tidies up the rich, oily taste. This is what I'd call Chinese food balance.

We went as a couple, and thanks to the large portion we both ate until we were full. The amount was generous and we were very satisfied. Ordering is by QR code, which may be a little confusing the first time, but you get used to it quickly.

Would I go back to Mirim Yangjang?

If you're looking for a good restaurant near Suwon Station, I definitely recommend Mirim Yangjang. Especially if you want a drinking spot near Suwon Station, a place for a group dinner there, or a good restaurant in Time Villas. With those three conditions, it's almost the perfect answer. If you're after a Peking duck restaurant, you're even more likely to be satisfied.

Even by Chinese-restaurant standards, the flavor is clearly different. Next time I'll order exactly the same: half a Peking duck with a large mapo tofu. This is a combination worth saving.