The Gwanghwamun area in Seoul is a prominent office district, offering a wide range of restaurants to cater to the demands of office workers. Among them, you can find various Chinese restaurants, ranging from the typical Chinese eateries to slightly more upscale establishments referred to as “Chinese restaurants.”
Shanewony is one such restaurant located in the Gwanghwamun area. Rather than being categorized as a typical Chinese restaurant, Shanewony boasts a clean and sophisticated atmosphere.
“Seoul Gwanghwamun: Shanewony Chinese Restaurant”
In relation to Gwanghwamun Square, Shanewony can be found towards the west. It’s conveniently located very close to Exit 1 of Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5. When you exit through Exit 1 and follow the alley, you’ll find the restaurant on the second floor of the building. You can easily spot it from the arched welcome sign at the entrance of the first-floor building.
You’ll notice a shrimp-shaped sign on Shanewony’s signboard, indicating that the restaurant specializes in shrimp dishes. However, it doesn’t limit itself to just shrimp dishes. It generally offers the kinds of dishes you’d commonly find in a “Chinese restaurant.”
“Shanewony: Offering a Variety of Chinese Dishes”
Glancing at Shanewony’s menu, you’ll come across dishes with names that might be unfamiliar. They offer a range of dishes from set courses to various other items. Ordering a dish here gives you a slightly more upscale dining experience. Set courses can be enjoyed at approximately ₩25,000 to ₩30,000 per person.
Of course, it might not always be easy or convenient to order such dishes. The prices can be a bit steep, and the time investment might be a consideration. For those looking for a simple meal, you can check out the “Main Dishes” section.
In the main dishes section, you can find familiar items like “jjajangmyeon, jjamppong, and bokkeumbap” that we commonly associate with Chinese cuisine. The cheapest option, jjajangmyeon, starts at ₩7,000. The crab meat fried rice serves as the standard for bokkeumbap, priced at ₩10,000.
“Crab Meat Fried Rice: ₩10,000, Jjajangmyeon: ₩7,000”
On this day, several of us visited and ordered the crab meat fried rice and jjajangmyeon. We decided to order and share the dishes. However, typically, when you order shared dishes at a Chinese restaurant, an additional ₩1,000 is charged. At Shanewony, however, an additional ₩3,000 was charged for each shared dish.
For jjajangmyeon, an extra ₩3,000 was added, and for the crab meat fried rice, an additional ₩3,000 was also charged for sharing. So, when ordering shared dishes, be aware that it can be a bit pricey at Shanewony.
“A Clean and Sophisticated Chinese Restaurant”
Shanewony boasts a remarkably clean and sophisticated atmosphere. It’s not the type of Chinese restaurant that comes to mind when you think of the usual Chinese eateries, but rather, it leans towards the atmosphere of a Chinese restaurant. The interior decor is also on the cleaner side, with high ceilings creating a refreshing ambiance.
While individual spaces aren’t provided, which could be considered a drawback, it’s a place with an atmosphere suitable for moderate-level hospitality.
Overall, Shanewony is a Chinese restaurant where you can have a decent meal in a clean atmosphere. It’s a great place to visit when you’re in the mood for Chinese cuisine near Gwanghwamun. Just keep in mind that when ordering shared dishes, there’s an additional ₩3,000 charge, so it’s worth considering in advance.
“Seoul Gwanghwamun: Shanewony Chinese Restaurant”
- Address: 11-9 Saemunan-ro 5-gil, 2nd floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Phone Number: 02-730-3599
- Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM, (Sun, Holidays) 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Closed on Saturdays)
- Website: Link