The origin of Gonghwachun was a hotel restaurant called "Shandong Hall" in a Chinese leased territory. In 1911, Yu Xiguang from Shandong moved it to the current location and renamed it Gonghwachun (#71#, "Spring of the Republic") the next year to honor the establishment of the Republic of China
(1912-1949). It had been a luxurious restaurant exclusive to the upper class in Incheon and Seoul during and after the Japanese colonial period
(1910-1945). After the Korean War (1950-1953), however, it served more humble dishes like noodles in black bean sauce (called jjajangmyeon in Korean) for ordinary people.
This two-story brick building, built upon a granite platform, was designated a cultural heritage for its as it shows the life of Chinese immigrants to Korea at the turn of the 20th century. The restaurant closed in 1983 when the surrounding commercial area declined after the establishment of Yeonan Pier nearby. Since 2012, the building has been used as the Museum of
Jjejangmyeon.