Gimhae Chinese restaurant regular tries junghwa bibimbap: Dongbaek

What kind of Chinese restaurant is Dongbaek in Gimhae?

Dongbaek (동백) is a Chinese restaurant on Gaya-ro in Gimhae where you can enjoy course meals at an easy-on-the-wallet price. If you're looking for a Chinese place in Gimhae with affordable course dishes, Dongbaek is the one I recommend with confidence.

I first visited a few months ago, and every single dish satisfied me so much that I've naturally become a regular.

Lunch Special Course A is ₩20,000 per person, and the spread is so generous it's hard to believe the price. One visit and you'll see right away why word got around.

At lunchtime it's packed with family gatherings, office group meals and all kinds of get-togethers, and it fills up fast, so I'd suggest arriving a little early.

Is parking easy at Dongbaek in Gimhae?

Besides the building's parking lot, there's also a vacant lot right next door (the second lot). Parking: passed already! A real good restaurant is different, isn't it? Parking is one of the things I appreciate every time I visit. You can come by car without worrying.

A good restaurant has to have easy parking or you won't go back, so I'm even happier with a place that thinks about this too.

Is Dongbaek's 20,000-won Lunch Special Course A worth it?

Dongbaek's Lunch Special Course A is ₩20,000 per person, and the quality of the food is good and the portions generous enough that the price is hard to believe. If you're looking for a course-meal restaurant in Gimhae, do try the lunch special.

Maybe that's why I get it now: at lunchtime it's always bustling with office workers, family gatherings and people entertaining guests. The lunch special satisfies on both value and taste, so I end up going often myself.

What we ordered: tangsuyuk, jjajangmyeon and junghwa bibimbap

This visit to Dongbaek, I ordered tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork), jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) and jungwha bibimbap (Chinese-style spicy rice bowl). Everything I ordered today was a hit!

Dongbaek's tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork)

The moment I bit into Dongbaek's tangsuyuk, the crispy batter and the thick-cut meat texture were really great. The meat was moist, tender and had no off smell, so I immediately understood why it's a popular dish.

Dongbaek's jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles)

Dongbaek's jjajangmyeon was, as always, a no-fail dish. Rich black bean paste flavor, sweet yet deeply savory, and bouncy noodles, so I ate every last bit.

How was Dongbaek's junghwa bibimbap on a first try?

The jungwha bibimbap I tried for the first time this visit was better than I expected. Even in photos the generous ingredients stand out, and in person it was even more satisfying. It was packed with fresh cabbage, onion, mushrooms and other vegetables, plus plump shrimp and squid in generous amounts, so the chew was really good.

The sauce is spicy with a subtle wok-fire aroma, it blends well with the rice and adds a nutty richness, and the bowl vanished in no time. I liked it enough that I'll order it again next visit.

Is Dongbaek good for group meals and hosting guests?

Dongbaek has a spacious hall and a clean atmosphere, but above all it has a variety of private rooms, which makes it a really good spot for family gatherings or entertaining guests. It's a quiet place to eat, so you can visit without worry even for an important appointment.

The Dongbaek review-event prize draw with my child

At Dongbaek you can join a review-event prize draw. We came with a child and joined the draw too, and my nephew won a drink, which made the meal even more fun. I think kids would really love a small event like this.

Why a regular recommends Dongbaek

If you're looking for a course-meal restaurant in Gimhae, Dongbaek is a place that stays highly satisfying even after many visits.

• Great-value Lunch Special Course A
• Plenty of parking
• Delicious food
• Clean atmosphere and private rooms

It has all of these, so I strongly recommend it for family meals, office lunches and entertaining guests.

I'm already a regular, and whenever I crave Chinese food in Gimhae, I'll probably head here first. If you're looking for a Gimhae lunch special or a Gimhae course-meal restaurant, Dongbaek will be a choice you won't regret.

Dongbaek location and opening hours in Gimhae

• Address: 514 Gaya-ro, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam, South Korea (1st floor)
• Hours: 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:20)
• Parking: building parking lot, second lot (vacant lot at 1114-2 Dongsang-dong)