Hairtail restaurant in Sangmu, Gwangju for couple dates: Galchi Hanpan

Galchi Hanpan in Sangmu: opening hours and parking

Galchi Hanpan (갈치한판) is at 61 Sangmuyeonha-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju. It's open Monday to Saturday, 11:30–23:00, and closed on Sundays. There's no dedicated parking lot mentioned, so you use the side streets, the roadside or a paid lot.

• Address: 61 Sangmuyeonha-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
• Hours: Mon–Sat 11:30–23:00 (closed Sundays)
• Parking: side streets, roadside, or paid lots

Today I filled up on a proper Korean meal in Sangmu! My new favorite grilled and braised fish spot 👍 I love grilled and braised fish, but cooking it at home leaves the smell hanging around forever, so I was stuck, and then I dashed off to the newly opened Galchi Hanpan.

Inside Galchi Hanpan: good for a date or a family meal?

The tables at the Sangmu branch are spaced out generously, so it feels comfortable for a family meal or a get-together too! Today was a date with my boyfriend, but the menu was so good that we decided to bring my parents next time, haha.

What to order at Galchi Hanpan: the signature grilled and braised hairtail set

With one Galchi Hanpan set you get grilled hairtail and braised hairtail together, so there's no need to agonize over the menu. As I looked at the menu, I thought it was perfect for us, a couple who always go "what should we eat, what should we eat?" We ordered the signature and reportedly most popular set, the Galchi Hanpan. The generous spread felt like it nailed both value for money and sheer satisfaction ✨

What side dishes come with the Galchi Hanpan set?

Once you order, a tray full of side dishes (banchan) gets set out. Even before the mains arrive, this lineup could take down two bowls of rice...

There's sweet-salty braised potatoes, salad, stir-fried anchovies, seasoned bean sprouts, nicely fermented, zesty green onion kimchi and seasoned cucumber. Honestly, the side dishes alone could make a bowl of rice vanish. Every one of them is a real rice thief!

Is Galchi Hanpan's grilled hairtail easy to debone?

The first thing out from the set was the plump grilled hairtail! Golden and nicely browned, and it was really delicious. At home mine comes out silver.... The specialists really are the best 👍

When you eat hairtail at home, picking out the bones is a chore, right? The flesh often falls apart and you can't eat it properly. But at Galchi Hanpan, either the owner has a trick, or the fish themselves are just big and meaty, and the bones came out so cleanly and softly!

Even a casual scrape and the thick flesh just came off, which was convenient, and the seasoning was perfectly salty. A piece of thick hairtail on soft white rice was pure heaven in my mouth...!

How does Galchi Hanpan's braised hairtail taste?

After the grilled fish came the braised hairtail and the shrimp and squid jeon. The jeon was so huge I was shocked! But I did finish it, I'm told...

The braised hairtail arrives already boiled, so you can eat it right away or let it simmer a bit longer! The spicy-sweet sauce with a kick goes really well with the moist fish, doesn't it??

There are big pieces of hairtail in the stew too, plus radish and potatoes soaked through with the sauce. Just so generous!

The sauce is delicious without being too strong, so mixing the thick braising liquid into your rice and eating it with the fish is bottomless magic~

Is Galchi Hanpan's shrimp and squid pancake worth adding?

On top of the set we sneakily added the shrimp and squid bomb jeon (savory pancake) as a side to snack on >< I was actually full, but it looked so good that I ordered it anyway.

And I would have regretted skipping it! Just like the name says, plump shrimp and chewy squid are piled onto the pancake like a bomb, with no gaps~~

It's thick, yet somehow crispy all the way through. Not just the edges but the middle had great texture too! The portion is big, so it's plenty for sharing among several people.

Would I go back to Galchi Hanpan in Sangmu for another date?

I recommend Galchi Hanpan when you're taking your parents out in Sangmu, or want to treat someone to a hearty, proper hairtail meal. I fell for the owner's kindness and the amazing hairtail, so I'm planning to visit again soon!