Dongnae bar with mala cream noodles: Lounge Mokhwa Dongnae

This time, I visited Lounge Mokhwa Dongnae Branch (라운지목화 동래관) in Dongnae for dinner and a light drink. Lounge Mokhwa is a Chinese dining bar with a Hong Kong noir concept called, “We missed Hong Kong from those days.” It was a Dongnae bar where I could enjoy a range of dishes and drinks together in a lovely atmosphere.

Lounge Mokhwa Dongnae Branch: location and hours

It is at 550-14 Myeongnyun-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan, and you can use a nearby paid parking lot. Monday through Thursday, it is open from 17:00 to 01:00, with last orders at 00:00; Friday through Saturday, it is open from 17:00 to 02:00, with last orders at 01:00. It is closed on Sundays.

Lounge Mokhwa Dongnae Branch is about 200 m from Exit 4 of Dongnae Station, and around a five-minute walk from Myeongnyun Xi Apartments, so it was easy enough to get to. Even before going in, the intense red light really caught my eye.

Red lighting like a Hong Kong back alley

The moment I stepped in, the unusual interior and red lighting created a mysterious, dreamlike mood. It is said to represent a hideout tucked away in a back alley of old Hong Kong, and the clear concept made it fun just to look around. The atmosphere came out even cooler in photos, too, so it is great for taking pictures.

The tables were spaced nicely, making it comfortable to eat, and each table has a tablet. This was my first time at a Chinese dining bar so full of Hong Kong vibes, and the distinctive, lovely atmosphere made a satisfying first impression.

What we ordered and the self-service setup

Alcohol other than cocktails and draft beer, as well as glasses, water, and drinks, are self-service. Macaroni puffs and cabbage salad came as the basic snacks. The two of us casually ordered what felt like three portions. Lounge Mokhwa also sells mango beer, so we had a beer too.

• Sichuan fried eggplant ₩19,000
• Mala cream noodles ₩18,500
• Shrimp fried rice ₩9,000
• Mango beer ₩7,500

Can even mild-spice eaters have the Sichuan fried eggplant?

The Sichuan fried eggplant is ₩19,000. The freshly fried eggplant was crisp outside and moist inside, and I loved the texture. It suited my taste so perfectly that I wondered whether eggplant could really be this delicious. It was even tastier with the sauce, which added more savory depth. I think it would also go really well with flower buns ordered separately to dip in the sauce. Then I understood why flower buns are on the add-on menu. Even mild-spice eaters can have it. Delicious.

Sweet and refreshing mango beer

I had it with mango beer, which had a sweet, refreshing mango aroma, so even people who do not drink much can enjoy it easily and deliciously. I personally loved it so much that I hope you try it at least once. It was exactly my kind of drink—I would order it again whenever I spotted mango beer elsewhere.

The first place I tried it was Faerofero, and I drank it because it was delicious.

Creamy, tingly mala cream noodles

The mala cream noodles are ₩18,500. They are Chinese-style cream noodles combining numbing mala sauce with smooth cream. Since I usually love both creamy jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) and mala tang (numbing-spicy soup), I could not just pass this menu item by. At first it tasted creamy and smooth, then the distinctive mala tingle subtly built as I ate; the two flavors worked much better together than I expected. It was not extremely spicy or overpowering, so I could enjoy its smooth, tingly flavor.

Shrimp fried rice, perfect with the leftover sauces

The shrimp fried rice is ₩9,000. I wanted rice too, so we ordered shrimp fried rice. The fluffy, well-fried rice was delicious on its own, but it was even better with the fried eggplant sauce or mala cream sauce. I recommend ordering it alongside the other dishes so you can enjoy every last bit of the leftover sauce.

I ate so well that I feel like a happy little pig.

Every single dish was delicious, so it was a satisfying meal. The Sichuan fried eggplant and mala cream noodles especially stayed with me because they have Lounge Mokhwa’s distinctive charm. If you are looking for a Dongnae bar or an atmospheric spot for drinks, I recommend Lounge Mokhwa Dongnae Branch, where you can enjoy good food and drinks in a special Hong Kong noir setting :)