Suwon Station bar with monitor games and tofu ramen: Mannyang Sijang

Today my friend and I wanted dinner and a drink around Suwon Station, and we ended up at Mannyang Sijang (만냥시장) near the station. Here's how it went.

Where is Mannyang Sijang Suwon Station branch and what is the vibe?

Mannyang Sijang Suwon Station branch is a bar with a retro market concept on Suwon Station's Rodeo Street, and its yellow sign stands out from far away. As the name suggests ("mannyang" hints at ₩10,000), it sells lots of dishes around ₩10,000, so it seemed easy on the wallet. I'd walked past on Rodeo Street for ages wanting to try it, so this time I finally went.

The retro market exterior catches your eye even if you're just passing by. The sign is big so it's easy to find, and you can see inside, so it doesn't feel intimidating to walk in.

Inside, it was much bigger than I expected, and the tables are spaced generously, so it never felt stuffy.

Can you play games at Mannyang Sijang Suwon Station branch?

Yes. Every table has a small monitor, so you can play games while you drink. It's not just a place to drink: it looked fun for friends to bet on games against each other. It's a system you rarely see in regular bars, so it felt different.

The walls have usage instructions and various events written up, with time limits and how-tos laid out clearly, so even first-timers can follow along easily.

The interior overall recreates an old-time market. Retro posters cover the walls and the lighting is soft, which made it comfortable for a drink. It has that trendy bar feel but is also easy to sit in for a long time.

How does the Mannyang Sijang coin event work?

Order one bottle of alcohol and you get one coin, and you can collect the coins and actually use them. The coin event was honestly the most fun part of Mannyang Sijang.

It's not just a gimmick, since you can really save them up and spend them, which I found neat.

Collected coins can reportedly be swapped for drinks, alcohol or even side dishes. You can use them on your next visit too, so it seems like a pretty good deal for regulars. Little perks like this made me want to come back.

What should you eat at Mannyang Sijang Suwon Station branch?

That day we ordered yukhoe, sukju bulgogi and sundubu ramen along with Saero (a soju brand), and the sukju bulgogi was the one I liked best. We ordered a bit of everything to try.

We started with Saero. It went well with the food and was easy to drink.

Yukhoe (beef tartare)

The yukhoe came out first, and the portion was better than expected. The seasoning wasn't heavy, so it tasted good. A faint sesame oil aroma rose up, and it was nutty and a little sweet, a great match for drinks. Personally I liked that it wasn't too strong.

Sukju bulgogi (mung bean sprout bulgogi)

The dish I was happiest with was the sukju bulgogi. It was loaded with bean sprouts that stayed crunchy, and eaten together with the bulgogi the texture was great and the seasoning was just right. With so many sprouts it didn't feel greasy, and I kept reaching for more.

The meat wasn't tough but fairly tender, which is nice with drinks. Of everything we ate that day, this is the one I'd recommend most.

Sundubu ramen (soft tofu ramen)

We also ordered the sundubu ramen, and it looked hearty right away. Ramen alone can feel plain, but this one has soft tofu in it too, so the portion was quite big even for two. The broth wasn't too spicy, just pleasantly kick-y, and we kept spooning it up.

Is Mannyang Sijang Suwon Station branch good value?

Prices overall aren't a burden, so ordering several dishes didn't hurt, and the portions were decent. With the game system and the coin event on top, it was far more fun than a place where you simply drink.

If you're looking for a casual drink with friends near Suwon Station, or a spot for a company dinner or second round, I recommend giving Mannyang Sijang a try. The value is good and the mood is relaxed, so I plan to go back for other dishes.

• Address: 1F, 25-1 Hyanggyo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 17:00 - 05:00 (next day)