Words and photos by creator “Jigubyeol Sigoljwi”
A blogger and YouTuber sharing books, travels, and everyday life.
Craving Korean food in Saipan? In downtown Garapan, look for Chung Gi Wa.A local influencer traveling with us recommended it, and I’m so glad we went.
The menu ranges from a set for two with LA galbi—marinated, cross-cut beef short ribs—and dolsot bibimbap, rice and vegetables served in a sizzling stone bowl, to sundubu-jjigae, a soft tofu stew, and fresh tuna sashimi. We liked it enough to eat here twice during the trip.
I came with a Saipan-based creator who became a close friend on this trip, and we made quite a feast of it!
What surprised me most was the crowd: it looked like roughly half the diners were Korean and half were Saipan locals. Seeing people so far from Korea enjoying our food alongside Korean travelers made me feel unexpectedly proud.
Now that’s the kind of delicious cultural exchange I can get behind.
Korean Food in Saipan: Your Questions Answered
Q. What can you order at Chung Gi Wa?
There are Korean set meals with LA galbi and dolsot bibimbap, plus dishes such as sundubu-jjigae and teppan-style dakgalbi, spicy chicken stir-fried on a hot griddle. We also ordered fresh tuna sashimi—a lovely option here in Saipan.
If there are two or more of you, I’d definitely consider one of the set meals.
A Mustang convertible feels practically mandatory for an independent Saipan road trip!
We booked our rental through Nolda Saipan and drove all over the island with friends.
Q. Can I drive to the restaurant?
Absolutely—as you can see, there’s parking. It’s also in central Garapan, near the Crowne Plaza hotel where I stayed, so walking from the hotel was an easy option.
If you’re coming with a group, pickup and drop-off may also be available. When making a reservation, ask the owner through KakaoTalk.
Chung Gi Wa Korean Restaurant, Saipan: Reservations via KakaoTalk
A Korean Restaurant Recommended by a Saipan Local
How do you usually choose restaurants when you travel?
For me, few things beat a recommendation from someone who actually lives there. That’s how we found Chung Gi Wa: a local influencer exploring Saipan with us suggested it.
Our first visit was right after snorkeling at the Grotto.
And look at those overhead exhaust ducts! I hadn’t expected to find such a fully equipped Korean barbecue setup on the island.
Inside, both travelers and locals were eating. Chung Gi Wa has been serving Korean food in Saipan for years, and I was told Korean professional baseball players also visit when they’re on the island for training camp.
Familiar food felt especially comforting in an unfamiliar place, and I loved gathering around the table to share several dishes.
With an advance reservation, you may also be able to book a private room, depending on your group size.
This is the restaurant’s private dining room.
I enjoyed that first meal so much that I came back during the same trip with a local creator friend—someone I especially wanted to treat to a good meal.
Chung Gi Wa: Location and Practical Information
Its downtown Garapan location makes it an easy stop after just about any activity.
Considering the typhoon damage Saipan has suffered, I was impressed by how well they’ve maintained the exterior. Respect!
Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan Hotel Location
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Item |
Details |
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Restaurant |
Chung Gi Wa |
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Address |
Alaihai Ave, Garapan, Saipan 96950, Northern Mariana Islands, USA |
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Directions |
Near the rear entrance of the former T Galleria |
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Phone |
+1 670-233-0033 |
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Listed Opening Hours |
Monday–Saturday: 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 5–9 p.m. / Sunday: 5–9 p.m. No morning or afternoon service on Sundays. |
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Amenities |
Parking, credit card payments, and takeout available |
Fresh tuna sashimi availability depends on the day’s catch.
Hours and menu prices can change, so it’s worth checking before you go. If fresh tuna sashimi is on your wish list, ask whether it will be available, too—it depends on the catch.
What We Ordered at Chung Gi Wa
I loved the spread before we even took a bite.
Across our two visits, we tried the B set meal and a variety of à la carte dishes.
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B Set Meal for Two: LA galbi, dolsot bibimbap, kimchi, and banchan—small Korean side dishes
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Additional Dishes We Ordered: Sundubu-jjigae, fresh tuna sashimi, hot-griddle dakgalbi, and buchimgae—savory Korean pancakes
If you’re ordering a set for two or more people, as we did, the meat, rice dish, and side dishes come together. It’s a handy starting point when you can’t decide what to get.
Sundubu-jjigae hits the spot when you want something warm and brothy. For a group, adding a stew to the set meal is another good way to round out the table.
Kimchijeon, a savory kimchi pancake, and modeum jeon, an assortment of Korean pan-fried bites, are great for sharing, too.
There are plenty of standalone dishes as well, so everyone can order a favorite and pass a few plates around.
From LA Galbi to Fresh Tuna Sashimi: What to Try
Which dishes won over our Saipan friends?
With LA galbi, dolsot bibimbap, kimchi, and banchan filling the table, it felt like a familiar Korean feast in the middle of our island getaway.
First things first: the meat.
I went straight for the LA galbi, and it was excellent. Wrapped in leafy greens as ssam, Korean-style wraps, it was even better.
The regular dolsot bibimbap was great, but they also do a lovely yukhoe, Korean seasoned raw beef. I’d highly recommend the yukhoe dolsot bibimbap, too.
Between the meat, rice, and all those side dishes, this was a seriously satisfying meal.
Having a generous spread to share made the whole experience more fun than simply ordering one dish apiece.
Naturally, food this good called for a few rounds of cheers.
We paced ourselves—but kept happily working our way through the feast.
And one dish I wouldn’t want to miss in Saipan is fresh tuna sashimi.I loved being able to order freshly caught local tuna alongside Korean galbi and stew.
It also makes choosing dinner easier when your group includes both meat lovers and seafood fans.
Here’s a lesser-known menu gem: dakgalbi!
They stir-fry it fresh on the hot griddle, and watching it cook had my mouth watering.
If you’re craving something spicy with a proper kick, the hot-griddle dakgalbi delivers that familiar Korean heat. It works equally well as a meal or as anju, food to enjoy with drinks.
Sharing all these Korean dishes with good company, then lingering over conversation in a private room, was such a happy part of our Saipan trip.
Who Should Eat at Chung Gi Wa?
If you’re craving Korean food in Saipan after a few days of traveling, or need a restaurant in Garapan for a family or group meal, this is a great option. With galbi, stews, and fresh tuna sashimi, there’s something for several different tastes.
For a group like ours, I’d start with the set meals, then add any à la carte dishes that catch your eye. Just confirm the current selections and prices before ordering.
We enjoyed it so much that we even got takeout to eat back at our hotel.
Billed as Saipan’s oldest Korean restaurant, Chung Gi Wa has won over Korean visitors and island locals alike. To me, that’s exactly what a Korean restaurant overseas should be.
The sight of Korean travelers and Saipan locals eating together will stay with me. If you visit Saipan, I’d absolutely make time for at least one hearty meal at Chung Gi Wa.
Chung Gi Wa Korean Restaurant, Saipan: Reservations via KakaoTalk (Link)
Woobon Handcrafted Wanggui Marinated Pork Galbi Meal Kit, Korean-Raised Handon Pork, 700 g, 1 Pack
Woobon Hanwoo
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Written by
Jigubyeol Sigoljwi, a blogger and YouTuber sharing books, travels, and everyday life