Taehwajang: Daejeon's Old Chinese Restaurant Near the Station
A long-running Chinese-Korean restaurant in Daejeon's old downtown, designated a 'hundred-year shop' — tangsuyuk, dumplings and noodles a short walk from Daejeon Station and Soje-dong.
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This article is connected to EatHub restaurant records, so readers can move from advice to the live map instead of stopping at a generic list.
- Mapped restaurants
- 4
- Neighborhoods
- 동구, 중구
- Awarded spots
- Check per listing
- Food focus
- 중식, 한식, 카페/베이커리
Menu signals: 중화요리, 비빔밥, 한식, 튀김소보로, 부추빵
Allergy fields present: gluten, pork, shellfish, soy, eggs
Chinese-Korean food (중화요리) is its own cuisine. It was built by Chinese immigrant families, many from Shandong, who settled in Korea from the late 19th century, and it gave the country jjajangmyeon, jjamppong and tangsuyuk. Every Korean city has an old-guard Chinese restaurant. In Daejeon, one of the most respected is Taehwajang (태화장), a few minutes from Daejeon Station.
It's designated a "hundred-year shop" (백년가게), the government's recognition for long-running businesses that have kept their craft going.
What to order
- Tangsuyuk (탕수육) — sweet-and-sour fried pork. It's the dish to judge any Chinese-Korean restaurant by: a crisp batter and a glossy sauce that isn't cloying. Order it to share.
- Dumplings (만두) — ask what's available on the day; old Chinese-Korean kitchens often make their own.
- Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) — noodles in black bean sauce, the national comfort food.
- Jjamppong (짬뽕) — spicy seafood noodle soup, if you want heat.
A classic order for two: one tangsuyuk, one jjajangmyeon, one jjamppong, and share everything.
How to eat it
- Mix jjajangmyeon thoroughly before your first bite, so the sauce coats every noodle.
- For tangsuyuk, ask whether the sauce comes poured over or on the side. Locals argue about this endlessly ("bumeok" vs "jjikmeok"). Try both.
- The yellow pickled radish and raw onion with black bean paste are there to cut the richness.
When to go
The restaurant's listed hours are 11:30–21:00 with a break from 14:00 to 17:00, and it's closed on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Check the EatHub page before you go.
Around Daejeon Station
- Soje-dong is a village of 1920s–30s railway workers' houses, now full of cafés and small restaurants. It's one of Daejeon's most photogenic corners.
- Daejeon Jungang Market, one of the largest traditional markets in the region, is right by the station.
- Seongsimdang, Daejeon's legendary bakery, is a short walk into the old downtown. No visit to Daejeon is complete without it.
Nearby spots with videos
- Wanggwan Sikdang for bibimbap, a couple of minutes away.
- Hamgyeongdo-jip, a long-running Korean restaurant.
- Seongsimdang (main store) for fried soboro bread and the famous bakery line.
Practical tips
- Getting there: Daejeon Station (KTX and Daejeon Metro Line 1) or Jung-ang-ro Station, then a short walk.
- Allergies: Chinese-Korean dishes commonly contain wheat, soy, egg, pork and shellfish.
- Groups work best. The menu is built for sharing.
The video above shows the kitchen at work. It's a good preview before you go.
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Trip Planning FAQ
How should I use this Taehwajang: Daejeon's Old Chinese Restaurant Near the Station guide on a trip?
Use the article to narrow your shortlist, then open the linked EatHub map listings to check location, hours, menu context, and nearby areas before you travel.
Do I need a reservation?
For popular Seoul restaurants, award-listed spots, and dinner-time Korean BBQ, booking ahead is safer. If a listing has phone or hours data, confirm before visiting.
Can I use this guide if I have food allergies?
EatHub shows allergy fields when they are available, including gluten, pork, shellfish, soy, eggs in this guide. Always confirm ingredients with the restaurant before ordering.
What should I compare before choosing a restaurant?
Compare route fit, budget, menu, and timing. This guide includes signals such as 동구, 중구 and 중식, 한식, 카페/베이커리.