Red-toned Gwangalli Chinese bar for a half-duck date: Mirim Yangjang

What kind of place is Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch?

Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch (미림양장 광안리점) is a Peking duck Chinese spot in an alley near Gwangalli beach. I was walking near the beach when I came across this Chinese restaurant with a slightly different kind of atmosphere.

Even the name is a bit special. It carries on the story of the site of the original Jeonpo main branch in Busan, and keeps the name of a yangjangjeom (tailor shop that used to make women's clothes). Maybe because of that, it felt less like just a place to eat and more like a small hotel lounge that shifts your mood for the day. Today's Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch suits dates, gatherings and company dinners alike.

The address is 4-3 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 295beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan (1st floor), and it is open daily from 12:00 to 02:00 the next day.

Highlights of Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch

• Bright, soft and radiant mood
• A space where you can enjoy Peking duck alongside a variety of Chinese dishes
• A Chinese restaurant that works well as a Gwangalli date course
• Spacious, upscale atmosphere that also suits company dinners in Busan and Gwangalli
• A wide menu: Peking duck, hot pot, lamb skewers, guobaorou (sweet and sour fried pork), mala tang, mapo tofu, kung pao-style shrimp, fried eggplant, youlinji (crispy chicken with sauce) and mensha (shrimp toast)
• Open from noon to 2am, so you can visit whenever suits you

What are the atmosphere and seats like at Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch?

Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch is known for its red-toned interior, warm lighting and private back seats. The exterior quietly catches the eye in a Gwangalli alley. Standing in front of the building, you get the feeling of an old space freshly polished,

and the entrance has subtle red accents that build anticipation.

Step inside and the red-toned interior is the first thing you notice. The lighting is warm and not overdone, so photos capture both the food and the space nicely.

The tables aren't cramped, and each seat has a slightly different mood, so it's good for a date and would be fine for a group too.

The back seats in particular feel private and were good for a quiet meal, and the red walls with the lighting create that classic upscale Chinese restaurant mood. It suits anyone who wants atmosphere as well as food when looking for a Gwangalli restaurant.

What's on the menu at Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch?

Besides Peking duck, Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch has plenty of other Chinese dishes: hot pot, lamb skewers, guobaorou, mala tang, mapo tofu, kung pao-style shrimp, guroyuk (sweet and sour pork), fried eggplant, youlinji and mensha. The wide lineup looked good for going with people who have different tastes.

The review event was Hong Kong-style egg noodles (half).

What we ordered and the prices

• Half Peking duck: ₩39,000
• Duck fried rice: ₩8,000
• Zero cola: ₩3,000

The table setting was neat. Water and side dishes were laid out tidily, and it was fun wrapping things up one by one.

How does the half Peking duck at Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch taste?

The half Peking duck (₩39,000) at Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch is served kaoya-style (roast duck eaten in wraps): skin and meat with a savory yajang sauce, spring onion and julienned cucumber.

The spread looks quite generous, and the flow of eating was good too.

You can eat a piece of duck on its own, wrap it in a thin pancake, or add a little sauce, and the taste shifts a bit each time, so it's nice to take your time.

The glossy look of the half Peking duck caught my eye first. The skin had a nutty aroma and the meat was moist and tender, never heavy.

Put the duck and crispy skin on a pancake, add spring onion and cucumber, dip it in yajang sauce, and the flavors blend together calmly.

The savory sauce, the richness of the duck and the freshness of the cucumber come up together, so every bite was quite satisfying.

It doesn't feel too heavy; it's upscale yet comfortable, so I thought it would make a good date menu.

Should you order the duck fried rice too?

The duck fried rice at Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch can be ordered when you order duck, and it costs ₩8,000. It worked well as a finishing meal after the Peking duck.

The fried rice looked appetizing from the color, with finely chopped ingredients stir-fried until fluffy. Each spoonful left a subtle, nutty duck aftertaste, and the seasoning wasn't overdone, so I could eat comfortably to the end.

Peking duck alone might leave you wanting a little more, but adding the duck fried rice filled in the end of the meal naturally.

The zero cola (₩3,000) was a refreshing pairing with the Chinese dishes.

Is Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch worth visiting for a date?

From the mood of the space to the makeup of the food, Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch made the day feel a little brighter. The half Peking duck was upscale yet easy to enjoy, and wrapping it in pancakes kept the meal from getting dull.

Adding the duck fried rice made the finish hearty, and with its late hours it looks good for lunch, dinner or a late gathering. If you want a Chinese restaurant with atmosphere, or a Gwangalli spot that suits both dates and company dinners, Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch is a place worth keeping in mind.

绽放你的每一天 — For your wonderfully beautiful everyday life, 美림양장 (Mirim Yangjang)