Chung Gi Wa kept doors open for hungry CNMI residents after Sinlaku

Even as much of Saipan struggled with power outages and storm recovery following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Chung Gi Wa Korean Restaurant in Garapan quickly reopened and continued serving both loyal patrons and new customers who could not cook at home.

The locally owned restaurant, operated by a Korean-Chamorro family and located behind the former T Galleria by DFS along Alaihai Avenue, resumed operations shortly after the all-clear was issued, thanks to its backup generator.

“We don’t close because we have a big generator, so we didn’t close even one time,” owner Kim Hye Young told Marianas Press.

Kim clarified that the restaurant only shut down during the height of the typhoon when businesses across the island were closed.

“Yes, only four days, everybody closed, right? After that, Friday, maybe Friday, we reopened again,” she said.

According to Kim, customers immediately returned once the restaurant reopened.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she said when asked if customers came back right away. “Because they cannot cook at home, right? So we have many regular customers, they came here, lunch and dinner.”

Kim said the restaurant has continued seeing strong business since reopening.

“Yes, yes,” she said when asked if the restaurant has remained packed for both lunch and dinner service.

While the restaurant avoided major structural damage, Kim said flooding affected the interior during the storm.

“Oh no, inside restaurant, we have nothing damaged, but all the inside restaurant, there’s water. Water came,” she said.

She added that their vehicle was damaged and the restaurant also sustained exterior damage, including to its signboard.

Kim said Chung Gi Wa recently regained Commonwealth Utilities Corp. power service, allowing the restaurant to fully restore its regular menu offerings.

“We get CUC power yesterday (May 5), so even regular menu, now everything we can serve now,” she said.

She also thanked customers for continuing to support the restaurant during the recovery period.

“Yes, thank you for coming all my restaurant customers, and then we stay strong. We can get better now,” Kim said.

Chung Gi Wa is open Monday through Saturday for lunch from 10:30am to 2pm and dinner from 5pm to 9pm. On Sundays, the restaurant is open only for dinner beginning at 5pm.