Sides First Regular · 26 stories

Banchan First

I write about meals at restaurants I visit in Gwangju and the Jeolla region. · Writes about: Restaurants · Things to do · Cafés

PlaceYeosu, JeonnamRestaurants

Yeosu Korean restaurant: blue crab & black hairtail for 2, Yeosu Sekki

Yeosu Sekki (여수세끼) is a Korean set-meal (hanjeongsik) restaurant on Isunsingwangjang-ro in Yeosu, Jeonnam, specialising in marinated crab and grilled hairtail. The writer walked into Yeosu Sekki around 11:30 a.m. on a public holiday with no wait and ordered the two-person set, which filled more than three trays with soy-marinated blue crab, spicy marinated crab, a whole grilled domestic black hairtail (meokgalchi), nakji-horong (octopus skewers), spicy sole salad and thick-cut sashimi. Verdict: Yeosu Sekki is a strong pick for a Yeosu family trip meal with parents or grandparents.

Written May 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Shabu-shabu buffet & takoyaki self-bar, Cheomdan Gwangju: Shabu20

Shabu20 Gwangju Cheomdan is an all-you-can-eat beef and pork shabu-shabu buffet in the Cheomdan district of Buk-gu, Gwangju. The writer had shabu-shabu in the spicy and original broths, then went back to the self-bar for LA galbi, takoyaki and chicken gangjeong (sweet crispy fried chicken), finishing with porridge and ice cream. Thanks to the spacious, clean dining room and the wide self-bar, the writer is '200%' set on returning to Shabu20 Gwangju Cheomdan.

Written May 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Katsu in Cheomdan, Gwangju: sweet potato cheese + half-spicy, Filling

Filling Donkatsu Gwangju Cheomdan Direct Store is a katsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant in the Cheomdan district of Buk-gu, Gwangju. After visiting the Yongbong branch, the writer came to the Cheomdan branch and ordered the signature Sweet Potato Cheese King Katsu with the Half-Spicy Katsu (half spicy, half original). The meal came with starter soup, fries and salad, plus self-bar bread and broth and a soft-serve cone from the dessert corner. Verdict: the writer recommends pairing the sweet-salty Sweet Potato Cheese King Katsu with the spicy Half-Spicy Katsu without hesitation.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYuseong, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon salad bar: oat rice pork poke bowl, Peak by Levegieuwang

Peak by Levegieuwang Daejeon Shinsegae Art & Science is a salad, poke and sandwich shop on basement level 1 (B1) of Daejeon Shinsegae Art & Science in Yuseong, Daejeon. Looking for a light, healthy meal before a movie, the writer ordered the pork bowl with oat rice (12,900 won). Peak by Levegieuwang adds the sauce the moment you order, so the vegetables stayed crisp, and the galbi-flavored pork was thick and evenly seasoned. It is a light but filling poke stop before or after shopping or a movie at Daejeon Shinsegae.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju eel BBQ, 2 plump eels & radish-green eel soup: Deokeun Jangeo

Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch (더큰장어 본점) is a charcoal-grilled eel restaurant with its own direct-sale counter on Haseo-ro in Bonchon-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. On a return visit with their parents, the writer picked 2 plump eels from the Deokeun Jangeo showcase, grilled them over charcoal from raw with no pre-grilling, and finished with eel soup with dried radish greens (siraegi), rice balls and cocoa from the dessert zone. With thick eel and a deep, siraegi-rich eel soup, Deokeun Jangeo is worth revisiting for a nourishing family meal.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYuseong, DaejeonRestaurants

₩32,900 red-sauce eel buffet in Yuseong, Daejeon: Songrimbok

Songrimbok Jangeo Unlimited Eel Daejeon Direct Store is an all-you-can-eat Korean-grown freshwater eel restaurant on Jijokbuk-ro in Yuseong, Daejeon. To recharge during the summer heat, the writer and a friend paid 29,900 won per person plus a 3,000 won table setting fee for eel, raw pork and chicken neck. They received a free bottle of bokbunja wine and loved pairing the eel with soy sauce, red sauce and pickled perilla leaves. Songrimbok serves thick Korean-grown eel at great value and is a strong pick for company dinners and group gatherings.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju lamb skewers with Chinese gopchang stir-fry: Jangbaeksan

Jangbaeksan Yangkkochi Songjeong (장백산양꼬치 송정본점) is a lamb skewer restaurant in Songjeong-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, near Songjeong Station. The writer ordered 2 portions of lamb skewers, a Chinese-style gopchang (intestine) stir-fry and a bowl of rice, received a complimentary egg soup, and discovered a rice, skewer and stir-fry trio. If ordinary lamb skewers have started to bore you, add the Chinese-style gopchang stir-fry at Jangbaeksan Yangkkochi Songjeong.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimhae, GyeongnamRestaurants

Pork bone stew spot in Gimhae Yulha: small bracken pot and pot rice

Ppyeodae Itneun Haejangguk Gamjatang Yulha Branch is a gamjatang (pork bone stew) restaurant on Yulha 7-ro in Gimhae, known for topping its stew with bracken instead of dried napa cabbage greens. On a Saturday evening at peak time in June, the writer had a small bracken gamjatang with pot rice, plus the free handmade garlic pork-skin pyeonyuk (sliced pressed pork) served to parties of 2 or more, an unlimited sari (add-in) self-bar and slush for dessert. With meat that comes off the bone easily and generous extras, Ppyeodae Itneun Haejangguk Gamjatang Yulha Branch is a Gimhae Yulha gamjatang spot worth revisiting.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju retro donkatsu diner: spicy sweet potato cheese katsu, Filling

Filling Donkatsu Yongbong Branch (필링돈까스 용봉본점) is a retro, Western-style donkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant on Seoljuk-ro in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. A regular who has eaten there many times came for dinner and ordered the spicy onion katsu and the spicy sweet potato cheese katsu, along with refilled soup and fried shrimp from a review event. The verdict: Filling Donkatsu Yongbong Branch is highly recommended for anyone after thick cutlets and cheese-loaded dishes.

Written Jun 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDong-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Vietnamese restaurant with parking in Gwangju: Saigonjang banh xeo

Saigonjang (사이공장) is a Vietnamese restaurant on Jangdong-ro in Dongmyeong-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, where the writer booked ahead and tried banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancake), beef pho and 6 pieces of chao gio (fried spring rolls). Saigonjang's banh xeo combined smoky thin-sliced beef brisket, juicy shrimp and crunchy bean sprouts, while the beef pho came in a clear, rich broth with plenty of bean sprouts, brisket and shank. Saigonjang often has a wait, so reserve ahead; with parking and Onnuri voucher payment, it is a go-to banh xeo spot in Dongmyeong-dong.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeju, JejuRestaurants

Aewol pork noodle shop before drinks: one shared large bowl, Handam

Handam Guksu Gwakji Aewol Branch (한담국수 곽지애월점) is a pork noodle restaurant on Aewol-ro in Aewol-eup, Jeju. As a snack before heading to a bar, the writer shared one large portion of rich bone broth pork noodles and an order of cold dombe pork (boiled pork served on a cutting board). The large portion was huge and the bone broth was rich yet clean. For travelers with plans afterward, sharing one large bowl at Handam Guksu Gwakji Aewol Branch is the way to go.

Written Oct 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Tonkatsu and spicy anchovy kalguksu in Seo-gu, Gwangju: Jinsimwang

Jinsimwang Donkatsu Seogwangju Branch is a Western-style pork cutlet (donkatsu) franchise restaurant on Seogwangju-ro in Maewol-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Visiting around opening time, the writer ordered the Jinsimwang Double Donkatsu, spicy anchovy kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and chicken tenders, wrapped cutlet pieces in lettuce from the self bar and went back for a soup refill. The thin-battered double cutlet and the first-time spicy anchovy kalguksu paired so well at Jinsimwang Donkatsu that the writer would order the same combo again.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored