Busan bar with Peking duck and spicy seafood soup: Mirim Yangjang

Today, I finally headed to Jeonpo-dong, one of Busan’s hottest neighborhoods, with friends again after a long time. We wondered where to go, then visited Mirim Yangjang, a popular Seomyeon spot that has been all over social media for its Peking duck. I loved both the atmosphere and the food so much that I had to tell you about it.

Mirim Yangjang Busan Main Branch information

• Mirim Yangjang Busan Main Branch: 37 Seojeon-ro 68beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea
• Hours: 12:00–02:00

A neon-lit exterior in a Jeonpo alley

Mirim Yangjang’s Jeonpo branch makes quite an impression from the entrance. It is tucked between alleyways, but the flashy neon sign and distinctive exterior make it easy to spot even from afar. It had the cool feeling of stepping into a Hong Kong movie, so lots of people were taking photos from the entrance. Through the clear window beside the door, you can even see the Peking ducks hanging there, which was fascinating.

Counter seats and the second-floor space

Once inside, the dim space and red lighting came together for a dreamy atmosphere that was just right for drinks. The first floor is divided into dachiseok (counter seats) facing the open kitchen and regular tables. We sat at the counter and enjoyed our meal while watching the cooking.

There is also a second-floor space, so it would be great for group gatherings or company dinners. With its dim mood, it would make a perfectly good spot for a blind date or date night, too. If you are looking for a bar with a great atmosphere in Jeonpo, I would strongly recommend Mirim Yangjang.

Peking duck and Chinese dishes

Mirim Yangjang’s signature menu item is, without question, Peking duck. My boyfriend and I visited together, and we ordered half a duck plus seafood jjamppong-tang (spicy seafood soup) because we were craving a hot broth.

There were also many other Chinese dishes available, including kkwabarow (sweet-and-sour fried pork), mapo tofu, and chili shrimp. Drinks such as Yantai gaoliang liquor, Tsingtao, and highballs were well stocked too, all pairing nicely with Peking duck, so I could see why drink lovers would enjoy this Seomyeon spot.

The addictive complimentary roasted peanuts

After we ordered, they first brought out a complimentary snack. These roasted peanuts were surprisingly addictive, and I kept reaching for them before the main dishes arrived.

How to eat half a Peking duck

At last, our long-awaited half Peking duck arrived! The glossy duck skin and moist-looking meat came sliced into easy-to-eat pieces.

A staff member kindly explained how to eat it. You place cucumber, shredded scallion, and duck on a thin wheat pancake, dip it in the house sauce, wrap it up, and eat. I made a wrap just as she showed us and took a big bite—the crisp duck skin and tender meat were an incredible combination.

The house sauce in particular brought out the duck’s flavor beautifully. My boyfriend clearly loved it too, exclaiming over how good it was as he ate. As Mirim Yangjang’s signature dish, it was outstanding in both looks and flavor.

Seafood jjamppong-tang that balanced the rich duck

While we were enjoying the Peking duck, the seafood jjamppong-tang arrived too. It came in a large pot generously filled with assorted seafood and vegetables.

One spoonful of the broth revealed a wonderfully spicy yet refreshing flavor, making it perfect with drinks.

The seafood was fresh and the broth stayed refreshing, so we enjoyed it deliciously to the last bite. The jjamppong-tang neatly cut through the rich flavor of the Peking duck, and the two dishes were such a great pairing.

A Peking duck bar I want to revisit in Jeonpo

Mirim Yangjang’s Jeonpo branch was a place where we could enjoy delicious Peking duck and Chinese dishes in a cool setting. The atmosphere was lovely and the food was excellent, so we had a wonderful time with friends.

If I make plans in Seomyeon or Jeonpo-dong again, this is a Seomyeon favorite I definitely want to revisit. If you are looking for a Jeonpo bar with a great mood or an unusual nourishing meal, make sure to visit Mirim Yangjang at least once! You will probably fall for its charm just like I did.