Butter-cheese lobster date in Dong-gu, Gwangju: Tams Badaetgaja

My partner and I headed to Tams Badaetgaja, a great Gwangju lobster spot, for both a nice date atmosphere and a delicious meal. It is already so well known as a lobster restaurant in Gwangju that I had wanted to visit for ages, and I finally made it there.

Tams Badaetgaja location and parking

Located in the building behind Dongwon Gejang Baekbanjip, Tams Badaetgaja is a lobster specialist that has been operating since 2003, with a long tradition behind it. It apparently began as Thomson Lobster Specialty Restaurant and has continued to be loved ever since, becoming one of Gwangju’s representative lobster spots.

There is a dedicated parking lot beside the building, so parking was easy. The place is fairly large too, so it looked ideal for family gatherings or group events.

The first thing that caught my eye as soon as I entered was the aquarium. It was packed with live Canadian lobsters, and seeing how actively they were moving made their freshness immediately clear.

Private rooms and group seating

Inside, there were spacious table seats in the main hall, while most of the restaurant was made up of rooms.

The rooms were great for a private meal, and I heard that connecting all the rooms provides seating for up to 32 people.

I could see why people visit for family gatherings, first-birthday parties, 70th-birthday celebrations, and formal family meetings before marriage. High chairs are available too, making it a good choice when dining with children.

Ordering the Tams Half Course lunch

What we ordered Tams Half Course (for 2) — ₩74,000

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Because we had reserved, the table had already been neatly set when we arrived. Even the table setting made it feel as though we were being treated.

There were six basic side dishes, each presented neatly. The lemon water in the middle was not a drink but a finger bowl for washing your hands, so keep that in mind! First-time visitors could easily get confused.

From salad to lobster soup

First up was the salad. Fresh vegetables and nuts were generously dressed with nutty sesame dressing, which was perfect for whetting the appetite before the meal.

We also got fruit canapés. Cheese and fruit sat on crisp crackers with garlic, making these light, perfect little one-bite snacks.

Then came the soup. I expected a smooth cream soup, but it contained finely chopped lobster meat, making the flavor much deeper. It was nutty with a subtle lobster aroma, so I was happy from the very start.

Next was sweet-and-tangy jellyfish salad. Its crunchy texture and refreshing flavor were nice for cleansing the palate between bites.

Mul somyeon, thin wheat noodles in broth, also arrived as one bowl per person. The clean, cool broth and soft noodles were easy to eat, and having them midway through the course felt like a reset for the palate.

Then there was gajaeguk, lobster soup. Lobster legs sat in the clear, refreshing broth, whose deep seafood umami really came through. It was the kind of flavor that warms you right through.

Butter-cheese grilled lobster

What we ordered was the Tams Half Course, available only at lunch until 2 PM. Soon, half a grilled, seasoned lobster arrived for each of us—the star of the day. Just the sight of it, piled generously with cheese and butter, was impressive.

The colors were so pretty, and it definitely had the presence you expect from food for a special day. We compared the claw with my partner’s palm to see just how big it was, and it was much larger than expected. It may not come across in photos, but in person it was quite substantial.

When I lifted the meat with a fork, it was full of butter-soaked lobster! It was not dry at all—rather moist and bouncy, with a really satisfying bite. Dipped in chili sauce, it gained a sweet, gently spicy kick; dipped in butter sauce, its nutty richness became even more intense. Absolutely fantastic! Personally, the butter sauce was more my style.

There was no skimping on the rich tomalley either. It was full of nutty, deep flavor without any fishiness, and the butter and cheese made the savoriness even more pronounced. Anyone who likes tomalley has to try it! The fried rice served alongside was even nuttier with the lobster, while the vegetables still had a pleasant crunch. Even though I was full, I kept reaching for it. In the end, we cleared every last grain 😆

After the meal, we leisurely wrapped things up with sweet maesilcha, Korean plum tea, and fragrant coffee.

When you want to enjoy a course of fresh live lobster, are planning a special occasion such as a family gathering, first-birthday party, or 70th-birthday celebration, or simply want a comfortable meal in a private room, I recommend Tams Badaetgaja, where you can feel its long tradition and know-how!