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RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK No visa needed to try these Philly cheesesteaks

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By Eddie Tam
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A Philly cheesesteak at Without-Visa in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

A Philly cheesesteak at Without-Visa in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province — Without-Visa is a restaurant that symbolizes the enduring friendship between the United States and Korea. The owner, known to his customers as JJ, served in the ROK Special Forces for seven years. During his time at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, he tried a Philly cheesesteak sandwich for the first time. That experience left a lasting impression on him, and the taste has stayed with him to this day.

After being discharged from the military, JJ returned to his hometown, Suwon, with a dream of opening a restaurant that would pay homage to the Philly cheesesteak. Thus, Without-Visa was born with the ambition to recreate the taste and vibe of America without the need to actually go there — or get a visa.

As you might expect from a former Special Forces member, JJ's work ethic is impressive. He often runs the restaurant single-handedly, cooking and serving his guests. The interior transports you straight to the U.S., with American flags, military gear and pop culture images adorning the walls.

Inside Without-Visa in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

Inside Without-Visa in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

The star of the menu, of course, is the Philly cheesesteak. There are several variations to choose from, but I opted for the original (10,000 won). The sandwich is cooked on a flat-top griddle and comes with a generous portion of beef, onions and green peppers. You can choose between American and Swiss cheese — though perhaps an unpopular choice, I went with the Swiss.

The exterior of Without-Visa in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

The exterior of Without-Visa in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

A fun option is to add crushed potato chips (vinegar, cheese or plain) to your sandwich. The mini toppings bar also offers the usual condiments and pickled jalapenos. I was pleasantly surprised when my sandwich was served with skin-on French fries, which added a nice rustic touch.

For those who want to try something different, the menu also includes options like the Basil Philly (12,000 won or $8.9), Mushroom Melting Philly (13,000 won), Meat Chili Philly (13,000 won), Meat Chili Fries (7,000 won) and Cheese Fries (5,500 won).

Overall, Without-Visa is definitely worth a visit. Korean customers will get a taste of the iconic sandwich made famous in Philadelphia, and American patrons will enjoy a comforting taste of home. The prices are reasonable, and JJ's warm hospitality will make everyone feel welcome.

Without-Visa is located in Suwon's historic city center, a couple blocks east of Haenggung. It is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (break time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.), every day except Wednesdays. Follow @withoutvisa_philly on Instagram.

Eddie Tam is an assistant professor in Suwon and runs the Facebook foodie groups Hidden Gems Korea and Hidden Gems Suwon, Korea.