Sinchon Chinese restaurant Friday date, beef noodles: Cheonghwaweon

Why we came back to Cheonghwaweon in Sinchon

Cheonghwaweon (청화원) in Sinchon is a Chinese restaurant that my husband and I loved so much on our first visit that we promised, "We're definitely coming back!" On a happy Friday evening, with a whole week of tiredness waiting to be blown away, we made it a Sinchon date and returned. We both really love Chinese food, and if we hear a place is good, we'll happily travel a long way for it.

Last time we fell for the clean, deep flavors and the friendly service and promised to return, and now we finally did. It's a Sinchon Chinese restaurant that people in the know already know about, so we walked over full of excitement after such a long gap.

Friday 8pm at Cheonghwaweon: how long is the wait?

We arrived a little after 8pm on Friday. It was busy, but tables turn over quickly, so we didn't wait long. Walking through Sinchon after work, with its lively, energetic atmosphere, we got there in no time. The first thing I noticed when I opened the door was the clean, stylish interior ^^

As you'd expect from a well-known Sinchon Chinese restaurant, even late in the evening the place was packed, from couples out on a Friday-night date to small groups getting together. Luckily, turnover is good, so we were shown to a comfortable seat without a long wait.

Tablet ordering, side dishes and iced tea

Every table has a tablet ordering system, so you can browse menu photos and prices and choose at your own pace. That's one of Cheonghwaweon's biggest strengths. With detailed, high-resolution photos and prices in front of us, my husband and I could pick slowly, and ordering was really convenient.

On our first visit we were amazed by the smoky stir-fried noodles and the juicy shumai (steamed dumplings). This time we wanted to conquer the signature dishes, and after some deliberation we chose the beef noodle soup and the shrimp fried rice.

Soon after we ordered, the basics arrived first: nutty roasted peanuts, crunchy, tangy pickled cabbage, and iced black tea (binghongcha). While my husband and I chatted about our week, the steaming main dishes started arriving one by one.

How were the beef noodle broth and noodles?

The beef noodle soup (uyukmyeon) came in a big bowl of richly simmered broth, topped with beef and plenty of scallions, and the broth was deep and savory. The first dish to catch our eyes was this signature bowl with its deep broth. The big bowl was full of rich stock, generously topped with tender beef and fresh green scallions, and just looking at it made my mouth water.

I tried a spoonful of the broth first. The spice flavor wasn't overpowering at all, and a deep, savory richness filled my mouth. The chewy noodles in particular had a wonderful texture.

I wrapped the beef, which tears apart softly along the grain, around some noodles and took a big bite, and a week's worth of stress melted away like snow. My husband kept saying the broth was refreshing and deep, and he couldn't stop spooning it up.

Does the shrimp fried rice go well with the beef noodles?

The shrimp fried rice is a light dish with plenty of egg and plump shrimp, and it was great to alternate with the beef noodle broth. It came in a pretty bowl, stir-fried until fluffy, light yet full of the natural savory flavor of the ingredients. Each grain was nicely coated in oil and not clumpy, so it was lovely to feel every grain as I chewed.

The bouncy, plump shrimp were outstanding. Because the fried rice is mild rather than punchy, taking a sip of the spicy, rich beef noodle broth and then a spoonful of shrimp fried rice made the two dishes a truly perfect pair.

Our verdict on Cheonghwaweon after a second visit

Cheonghwaweon was more satisfying than expected even the second time, and we're convinced it's a proven place that never lets you down. We chatted quietly as a couple, cleaned our bowls completely, and felt wonderfully full.

Besides the excellent food, the staff were attentive and kind even during the busy evening rush, so we felt good the whole meal.

The prices are reasonable for the generous portions and high quality, so taste, portions, atmosphere and value were all there. It was a perfect dinner date.

If you're looking for a weekend or Friday-night date in Sinchon, or want proper Chinese food that pleases everyone, don't hesitate: I strongly recommend Cheonghwaweon! We plan to come back soon to conquer the dishes we haven't tried yet.