Suwon Fortress and Chicken Street Date Day
What to do: Day Visiting Suwon Fortress from Pyeongtaek
Hwaseong Fortress covers a large area in Suwon, South Korea. We decided to head up to the area from the Osan Air Force base area of Pyeongtaek to see some of the Suwon fortress that we missed the first time we visited.
We parked in the area by Janganum Gate (Also Romanized as Changnyongmun Gate). After parking, we purchased tickets for the trolley around the city. The trolley costs around 4,000 won per person and if you bring headphones, you are able to listen to the tour in English, Korean, Chinese or Japanese. Even without headphones, it is a nice tour around part of the fortress and you can take photos from the trolley as well. We got some great shots along the ride as well as video.
Where to eat: Grab some Korean fried chicken on Suwon chicken street
Upon returning to the Changnyongmun Gate, we walked down the wall towards Buksumun (Floodgate/Hwahongmun) and walked over to Suwon’s Chicken Street for lunch. This is a bustling area usually with lines at the most popular restaurants. If you go during the week, note some of the locations may be closed due to working all weekend.
Our plan for chicken street was simple, order a small amount at each location so we could try multiple locations. One of the locations we stopped at was Dae-Bong Chicken. The staff spoke some English and were very friendly. The chicken was fabulous. We tried a couple of other locations but because we went on a Monday many were closed.
Dae-Bong Chicken Cafe
Description:
Tasty fried chicken restaurant close to Hwaseong Temporary Palace. Semi English menu and staff speaks moderately well English. Very friendly staff, large space, tasty food.
Where to have a chat: A Star Cafe has a beautiful view of Suwon Fortress
To round out our afternoon, we ended up at It’s A Star Cafe across from Hwahongmun Gate. Hwahnogmuch Gate is where the waterfall is located. This cafe is three floors and you can get a great view of the fortress from the rooftop area. It was a neat location and just what we needed for our walk back up to the Changnyongmun Gate.
This proved to be a great day of exploring and we look forward to coming back on a busier day to get a more thorough tasting of the offerings of Chicken Street. The great thing about Suwon and the fortress area is that there is always something to do, shopping, eating or just exploring the area’
Its A Star Cafe
0312478403
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Name:
별이네
Hangul Address:
경기도 수원시 팔달구 정조로886번길 32 (북수동) 247
Description:
This three-story coffee house has a rooftop bar. There are also desserts and shaved ice. Great view of Hwaseong and Hwahongmun Gate.
Popular Suwon Fortress Gates visited on this date
Suwon Fortress Janganmun Gate
031-251-4513
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Hangul Name:
장안문
Hangul Address:
경기 수원시 팔달구 장안동
Description:
A stunning and iconic gate in Suwon.
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
031-290-3600
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Hangul Name:
화성행궁
Hangul Address:
경기 수원시 팔달구 정조로 825
Description:
Check the Web Link for current info on performances, fees, etc. The Suwon Fortress is a picturesque location that wraps though the center of the city of Suwon. Although the primary grounds have an entrance fee, much of the wall can be visited and viewed for free (but we recommend paying). There are stunning free performances held in front of the main gate that are highly recommended.
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About Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks)
Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life.
Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike.
Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts.
Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them.
Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures:
YouTube: @kimchirednecks
YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks
Instagram: @kimchirednecks
Facebook: KimchiRednecks
United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com
KimchiRednecks
About Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He's the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com
