This is Biwon, a Korean-Chinese restaurant in Eastwood.
We visited during lunch hours for the Sweet & Sour Pork Set ($53.00, cash only, Monday–Friday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm), which included a shared serving of sweet and sour pork and a choice of two noodle dishes: black bean noodle or spicy seafood noodle.
Sweet & Sour Pork
The pork was served atop a papadam-style crisp, which did little to enhance the dish and was not particularly enjoyable to eat alongside it. The batter lacked crispness, and texturally the pork was inconsistent — some pieces were dry and overcooked, while others were more tender, though both were underseasoned.
The sauce suggested a fruit juice base, possibly pineapple, cooked down with vegetables. However, it was thin and watery, lacking the viscosity needed to properly coat the meat. The balance was also off: neither sufficiently tangy nor sweet, and overall muted in flavour. The dish felt underpowered and structurally flawed, particularly for a centrepiece item in a set of this price.
Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup
The heat level was moderate and approachable, with a broth that carried a pleasant seafood depth. Generous pieces of tender octopus and cuttlefish were included, along with zucchini and a substantial amount of onion. The noodles themselves were excellent — springy, elastic, and able to absorb the broth well. Portion size skewed small relative to expectations, but the dish was otherwise competently executed.
Black Bean Noodle
The noodles again impressed with their chewy, resilient texture. The sauce featured pieces of pork and an abundance of sweet onion, which was soft and mellow rather than sharp. While savoury and balanced, the black bean component leaned mild and lacked the deeper, more fermented intensity typical of stronger Chinese-style black bean preparations. It was pleasant but not especially compelling, particularly when compared to preferred versions elsewhere.
Overall, Biwon delivered solid noodle textures and a serviceable seafood broth, but the sweet and sour pork — the focal point of the set — fell short in seasoning, texture, and sauce execution. A mixed experience that may not justify a return solely for the lunch special.
Biwon is located at 98 Rowe St, Eastwood NSW 2122.