Hyehwa Chinese restaurant, weekend wait & peanut refills: Cheonghwawon

Where is Cheonghwawon Daehangno Branch, and when is it open?

Cheonghwawon Daehangno Branch (청화원 대학로점) is near Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on Line 4, and it is open 365 days a year. Go about your life, and every so often you suddenly crave the taste of a stir-fry. For me, that's Cheonghwawon.

I've long been a fan of this Daehangno Chinese brand, so I simply can't leave Cheonghwawon out. It isn't a Koreanized jajangmyeon (black bean noodle) and jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle) place, which makes it all the more appealing. The ingredients, the craftsmanship and the seasoning all taste like the work of skilled chefs from Chinese-speaking regions.

Is it good for a late dinner after a movie, or drinking alone?

Cheonghwawon is open until 10 PM, and many of the couples were date-night types who had just watched a film at the neighboring CGV Daehangno and walked straight over. The interior is genuinely clean, and since the air circulates well, food smells don't cling everywhere, which felt fresh and pleasant. Among Daehangno Chinese restaurants, I think it's also a good spot to settle in alone in the evening with gaoliang liquor (Chinese sorghum spirit) and a few dishes for a late-night snack.

Next to my seat for 1–2 people there was even an apron. I was wearing a light-colored shirt, so I was really glad to see it! Everything had been cleaned thoroughly, and the apron was of course freshly laundered.

Plenty of guys eating a bowl of something late in the evening and nearby university students were there too. In front of me sat a middle-aged man enjoying a solo drinking table, looking as if he were lost in his worries. Who cares? Life is made of hardship, and good food and a drink are a perfectly legal pleasure, one of the few we get.

What did I order, and how much was it?

• Jingjiang rousi (shredded pork in sweet bean sauce) ₩17,800
• Tiger rice bowl ₩9,800

Peanuts and Chinese pickles, refilled twice each while waiting

The side dishes at Cheonghwawon were just two: stir-fried peanuts and Chinese pickles, simple and clean. I think side dishes already tell you how well a kitchen understands food. The pickles were sweet with a light touch of chili oil, perfect as an appetizer. It was a weekend evening with a bit of a wait, and I refilled just these two plates twice each. When your blood sugar is dropping, a starter like this is welcome and useful.

How do you eat Cheonghwawon's jingjiang rousi?

Jingjiang rousi is stir-fried shredded pork in a jajang-style sauce, wrapped up with carrot, cucumber, white scallion and bell pepper in Chinese tofu skins. It had been a while since I last had it when it finally arrived. Korea has similar wrap-it-in-a-thin-pancake dishes too, and I think Asian cooks just have a knack for this kind of food. The evenly julienned cucumber, carrot and scallion really made me feel the skill of Chinese cuisine, famous for eating everything with four legs except the table. It came in a wooden dish, which looked fresher and made the food even more appetizing.

The portion of jingjiang rousi was generous too. It's a lump of protein eaten with vegetables, so of course it works as a drinking snack. Order rice and it's a fine meal as well. Keep wrapping and rolling and you fill up fast.

Is the tiger rice bowl spicy?

Cheonghwawon's tiger stir-fry rice bowl (호랑이볶음 덮밥, ₩9,800) has red chili peppers in it, but not too much chili powder, so the heat was only a mild kick. Along with the jingjiang rousi I ordered one more meal, and it was this crowd-pleasing tiger bowl: pork and egg stir-fried in lightly savory Chinese soy sauce, seasoning and oil.

Looks appetizing with the red chili in there, right? Mixed into plain white rice, it makes a wonderfully filling meal. The rice bowls and fried rice at Cheonghwawon are popular signatures with many customers. It was comfortable to come alone at lunchtime and enjoy, too.

Is jingjiang rousi plus the tiger bowl enough for two?

The combination of jingjiang rousi and the tiger bowl was just the right amount for two people. Looks hearty, doesn't it? The savory depth, the fresh ingredients and the fiery wok flavor typical of Chinese cooking were all charming. For the guys who add gaoliang liquor or beer, it's no exaggeration to say they live for this kind of feast.

Is Cheonghwawon Daehangno worth the weekend wait?

On weekdays Cheonghwawon wasn't that crowded, but on weekend evenings it was packed enough to have a wait. The generous portions, which just keep going no matter how much you eat, are a big draw too. Overall it costs no more than Korean food, and it has a distinct personality and charm unlike a Korean set meal, which is why I think it's always bustling. Going on a weekend for the first time, I really felt how popular Cheonghwawon is. Still, it's a place I'd happily wait for and one I crave regularly: Cheonghwawon Daehangno Branch is a master of Daehangno Chinese food.