The Restaurant Express Nowon by Mirage



Nowon-gu opened a train-themed restaurant named "Express Nowon by Mirage" at Hwarangdae Railroad Park on December 2, 2025. With the concept of a European-style express train, visitors can enjoy a sense of travel and a unique dining experience. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Mondays and during Seollal, and Chuseok. There is a break from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and last orders are taken at 8 p.m.

The History of Hwarangdae Railroad Park

Hwarangdae Railroad Park was originally a railway station named Taereung Station and was renamed Hwarangdae Station in 1958. After train operations on the Gyeongchun Line were suspended in December 2010, the station remained abandoned for several years. In 2017, during the construction of the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, the station was converted into Hwarangdae Railroad Park. The park features train-themed cafés, the Gyeongchun Line Art Gallery, and historical trains.

How Express Nowon by Mirage was Created

A Nowon-gu official found that visitors tended to spend only a short amount of time at Hwarangdae Railroad Park due to a lack of dining options. To address this problem, the district government opened a new restaurant. It is called Express Nowon by Mirage and is inspired by the Orient Express, a symbol of 20th-century luxury. The restaurant is operated on commission by a local brand named Mirage Pub. The collaboration between Nowon-gu and the local brand aims to revitalize the local commercial district by opening the train-themed restaurant. The restaurant consists of two train cars. One of the cars is used as the dining area, and the interior was designed by a team of movie set production experts. The other car contains the kitchen, remodeled from a Mugunghwa-ho train design.

The SeoulTech visits Express Nowon by Mirage

The SeoulTech visited the restaurant to provide detailed information to our readers. At the entrance, a two-person table serves as a photo zone where a video of passing trains plays inside the window frame. With chandeliers hanging above, the atmosphere gives diners the feeling of traveling on a luxurious train. The restaurant menu includes various selections such as salad, pasta, stew, and risotto. Some seasonal dishes are inspired by the local community and contain ingredients grown in the region. Also, the names of the menu items reflect unique characteristics of Nowon-gu. For example, Taereung Solbat galbi pasta is a pasta served with Solbat galbi, a specialty of Taereung. Bulgam Mountain risotto is a spinach risotto shaped like the rocky Bulgam Mountain.

Future Prospects and District Landmarks

Seungrok Oh, Mayor of Nowon-gu, stated that “Hwarangdae Railroad Park continues to evolve as a space that offers special enjoyment and experiences to residents and visitors alike.” Hwarangdae Railroad Park has become a cultural space where visitors can enjoy special experiences and participate in diverse activities. The new restaurant is becoming a key feature of the park. Nowon-gu’s commercial areas and local communities are now more closely connected due to its development. In the future, other districts are likely to create more attractions that reflect their own history and culture.

Reporters

Siyeon Oh

cinamellow@seoultech.ac.kr

Sua Lee

sualee7@g.seoultech.ac.kr

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