Seoul Gwanghwamun Chinese Restaurant ‘New Moon’

June 24, 2023 216 Views

The Gwanghwamun area in Seoul is a representative office-dense area. It is home to various government offices including the Seoul Metropolitan Government, as well as the headquarters of several newspapers and major corporations. During lunchtime, one can witness numerous office workers coming out to grab a meal.

In the Gwanghwamun area, you can find a wide range of restaurants, from franchise eateries to small privately-owned establishments. It’s safe to say that there’s almost no shortage of menu options here.

If you follow the alley between Gyeonghuigung Palace’s Morning 2nd and 3rd Complexes, you’ll find a quiet residential-like street. Even here, you can come across quite decent restaurants, and “New Moon” is one such restaurant that can be found in this area.

“Seoul Gwanghwamun Chinese Restaurant, New Moon”

In the past, when people thought of Chinese restaurants, they often associated them with a messy environment and takeout food. However, there are also high-end Chinese restaurants that break away from this stereotype. New Moon falls into this category, offering a clean and sophisticated dining experience distinct from the typical “Chinese restaurant.”

“Clean Interior, Atmospheric Chinese Restaurant”

Upon entering New Moon, the clean and well-designed interior immediately catches your eye. It’s so tidy and atmospheric that it can easily be classified as a Chinese restaurant. Especially when seated by the window, you can overlook the nearby street, adding to the overall ambiance.

The food is also presented in a clean and organized manner. From set menus to individual dishes, you can savor a variety of Chinese cuisine. Given the ambiance, ordering a set menu for a stylish meal is also an option.

For a more casual visit, ordering individual dishes for a meal is perfectly fine. The prices are reasonable, with dishes like Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles), Jjambbong (spicy seafood noodle soup), and fried rice costing around 10,000 KRW.

“Crab Meat Fried Rice”

During this visit, I ordered the crab meat fried rice. Suddenly, I recalled the fried rice I had in Macau, so I decided to give it a try. Although it was somewhat different from the taste in Macau, it was still a satisfying meal.

Alongside the fried rice, egg drop soup was served. While it provided comfort when eaten together, it was slightly rich. If it also came with a slightly spicy broth like in Jjambbong, it would enhance the experience.

Overall, New Moon is a clean and inviting Chinese restaurant that’s suitable for family gatherings or a date night.

“Gwanghwamun Chinese Restaurant New Moon”