Suwon Station Chinese restaurant: pre-train duck lunch, Mirim Yangjang

Why I picked Mirim Yangjang for my last meal in Suwon

I went to Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon Branch, a Suwon Station favorite, for the Peking duck set. The original Busan flagship sits where a tailor shop (yangjang) that made women's clothes used to be. The owners kept the shop's name and just renovated the interior.

They say they wanted to create a happy space where people who work hard day to day can drop in lightly and find some comfort when they're tired. I'd been to the Mirim Yangjang in Gyodong, Daegu before, and since I was in Suwon, it suddenly came back to mind after a long time, so I paid a visit.

Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon Branch is said to be great both as a Suwon Station restaurant and as a date spot. I went as my last meal after a 2-day, 1-night trip in Suwon, before heading back to Seoul.

I personally love Peking duck, and there's a set at a reasonable price that's actually generous. I left full and happy.

Where Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon is and how to get there

Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon Branch is on the 3rd floor of Lotte Mall Time Villas Suwon. Leave Suwon Station toward Exit 3 and it's about a 3-minute walk.

It had been a while since I'd come to Suwon by train, so I chose Mirim Yangjang's Peking duck as a hearty lunch before going back to Seoul. It's easy to reach by train, subway or bus, and if you drive, you can use the Time Villas Suwon building car park.

They say the chef, a third-generation Chinese-Korean (hwagyo) who worked at the Shilla Hotel, runs the kitchen. I love Peking duck and seek it out, but a lot of places are pricey. I liked that Mirim Yangjang lets you enjoy it at a reasonable price.

I'd recommend trying the Peking duck, the one thing you can't skip at Mirim Yangjang. You can check the menu right from the entrance.

The restaurant's atmosphere at an early weekday lunch

I visited Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon Branch for a slightly early weekday lunch. The spacious dining room with its red interior really stands out.

There's an open kitchen, so you can watch the food being prepared.

Seeing the golden, appetizing Peking duck got my hopes up. I could not wait to taste it, it looked that good.

I was the first customer when I arrived, but families, friends and coworkers kept coming in. There was plenty to choose from too, from Peking duck to dongpo pork and tangsuyuk and other Chinese dishes.

What's in the Mirim Yangjang Peking duck set, and how much is it?

The Mirim Yangjang Peking duck set is ₩59,000 and comes with half a Peking duck, 2 meals (your choice of jjajangmyeon, jjamppong or fried rice) and a drink. Ordering was easy with the QR code on each table.

I ordered the set that includes the Peking duck, and with half a duck, two meals and a drink, it was a really generous set.

Peking duck at Mirim Yangjang, at a price that won't hurt

Mirim Yangjang is a Peking duck specialist built on the former Mirim tailor shop, hence the name (the original post notes 20.6.11). It started in Busan, then opened in Daegu, Daejeon, and in Seoul at Apgujeong, Seocho and Seolleung, before the Lotte Time Villas Suwon branch. I hear this one opened in February and is loved by many people.

The food came out quickly. It was the Peking duck set with half a duck and two meals, and I could pick two from jjajangmyeon, jjamppong and fried rice. I chose one jjajangmyeon and one fried rice.

Half a Peking duck that takes over 30 hours to make

They say each Mirim Yangjang duck takes at least 30 hours from drying to roasting. It was glossy and glistening, special from the first look.

There was crispy skin, tender meat, and cuts where skin and meat come together nicely. Each part has its own charm, so it's worth tasting the different textures and flavors.

How do you eat Peking duck?

Wrap the duck in a thin wheat pancake with shredded scallion and cucumber, and add sauce.

Wrapped in the pancake with the sauce that cuts the richness of the duck, it's a killer combination. The duck's nutty flavor, the fresh crunchy cucumber and scallion, and the sweet and tangy sauce all went together well.

Jjajangmyeon and fried rice as my set meals

For my set meal I ordered jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) because I hadn't had it in a while. These days there are lots of great jjamppong places but hardly any great jjajang places, so I was happy that the jjajangmyeon here is good, not just the duck.

The fried rice was fluffy and nutty. I ordered one noodle and one rice for variety.

I popped the yolk and took a big bite. Plain, it's nutty, and with jjajang on the side you get a deeper savory taste too. The food stayed warm the whole meal, which I think made it even better.

A soft egg soup came out too. A fizzy drink was also included in the set. A cold glass, ahh.

Final thoughts on Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon Branch

Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon Branch is a Suwon Station restaurant with an upscale atmosphere and carefully made Peking duck. It's in Time Villas at Suwon Station, so it's easy to reach by public transport or car, and the large space would work well for all kinds of gatherings.

I enjoyed a tasty, filling Peking duck set at a reasonable price.