Chinese-style bar in Gwangalli, Busan with Peking duck: Mirim Yangjang

Peking duck in Gwangalli? Mirim Yangjang

Mirim Yangjang in Gwangalli — a place where good vibes and Chinese food meet Peking duck. I wanted something a bit different from the usual Gwangalli fare, so I went looking for Mirim Yangjang.

The old-fashioned name paired with the stylish interior caught my eye right away, and once I learned the story behind the name, it got even more interesting.

Hours: daily, 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM the next day. With plenty of Chinese dishes made for sharing among several people, this Gwangalli restaurant works just as well for a date as it does for a work dinner.

We ordered half a Peking duck, a cucumber and wood ear mushroom salad, and eggplant fritters. Each dish had such a distinct flavor and texture that it was fun switching between them one by one.

Mirim Yangjang, carrying on the time of an old tailor shop

Mirim Yangjang's main branch is in Jeonpo, Busan, and apparently the name comes straight from an old tailor's shop that used to fit women's clothes there.

They kept the story of the original space while giving the interior a fresh remodel to open as today's Mirim Yangjang, which made the name feel even more special once I knew it.

The retro atmosphere carried over from the old name blended naturally with the sleek interior, and it was fun poking around the corners of the space.

This wasn't just a place to eat and leave — it was a Busan spot where you can also enjoy the story built into the space itself.

Peking duck with crispy skin and moist meat

The dish I was most looking forward to here was, of course, Peking duck. Since we were planning to try several dishes together, we ordered just half a duck.

The glossy skin and neatly trimmed duck meat were plated so beautifully that it looked delicious before we even took a bite.

Tasting the duck meat on its own first, the skin was thin and crisp while the meat itself was moist and chewy.

It wasn't overly greasy and had a clean finish, so it was easier to eat than I expected. You get both crispness and moistness in a single bite — this is a Gwangalli spot that anyone who loves Peking duck will enjoy.

Piling duck meat and side vegetables onto a wheat pancake, then adding sauce and wrapping it up, made the flavor so much richer. The chewy pancake, moist duck, and crunchy vegetables came together perfectly, and the savory sauce kept me reaching for more.

Peking duck pairs so well with drinks that I thought this would be a great place to visit when looking for an atmospheric bar in Gwangalli.

Eggplant fritters with an addictive spicy sauce

The eggplant fritters were crispy outside and cooked moist inside, keeping the eggplant's naturally soft texture intact. The spicy sauce on top kept it from feeling greasy and really woke up the appetite.

Since the Peking duck was on the mild side, taking a bite of the eggplant fritter in between naturally shifted the flavor mood.

Thanks to the spicy sauce, it also worked great as a drinking snack — a dish I'd recommend to anyone looking for a Busan bar to visit. Chinese food can sometimes feel heavy all around, but the dishes we ordered that day complemented each other nicely.

Refreshing, crunchy cucumber and wood ear mushroom salad

The cucumber and wood ear mushroom salad was all about its bright, refreshing flavor. The crunch of the cucumber paired well with the springy bite of the wood ear mushroom, and the tangy seasoning left the palate feeling fresh.

Picking at it between bites of Peking duck and eggplant fritters cut through the richness and revived the appetite. It's a light side dish that pairs well with the mains, and I was glad we ordered it.

A Chinese restaurant that's great for Gwangalli work dinners and get-togethers

What I liked about Mirim Yangjang is that beyond Peking duck, there's a whole range of Chinese dishes to choose from based on taste. It's a great spot for a group to order a variety of dishes and share, which makes it well suited to a Gwangalli work dinner or gathering.

Being able to enjoy Peking duck and Chinese dishes in a stylish space that carries the story of an old tailor shop made this a special Busan restaurant. It's also a solid choice when you want to enjoy a meal and drinks together at a good-atmosphere Gwangalli bar. The combination of clean Peking duck, spicy eggplant fritters, and refreshing cucumber wood ear mushroom salad was satisfying, so I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a Gwangalli restaurant that's a bit different from the usual.