Chinese food with a smoky flavor

Gyeonggi-do

While Incheon is now a separate Metropolitan City, it was historically part of Gyeonggi-do and remains the cultural heart of Chinese food in the region. After the opening of Incheon Port in 1883, many Chinese immigrants (mostly from the Shandong province) settled in the area, creating the first Chinatown in Korea. Unlike American-Chinese food which is often Cantonese-based, Gyeonggi-do’s Chinese food is rooted in Shandong cuisine. Gyeonggi-do's proximity to Seoul and its vast coastline meant easy access to fresh seafood and grains. Suwon’s Dumpling Heritage: Suwon (the capital of Gyeonggi-do) is famous for its long-standing Chinese dumpling (Mandu) houses, some run by the same families for over 50 years. Pocheon & Uijeongbu: These areas are known for large-scale Chinese restaurants that serve "course meals," blending traditional Chinese banquet styles with Korean side-dish culture.