Back Booth Sipper · 5 stories

Back Glass, Busan-Gyeongnam and Gwangju-Jeolla Nights

Writes about restaurants and bars visited around Busan-Gyeongnam and Gwangju-Jeolla. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars

Chinese restaurant for team lunch in Sangnam-dong, Changwon: Hwaryong

Hwaryong Restaurant Changwon-Sangnam branch is a newly opened Chinese restaurant from a nationwide chain, on the 2nd floor of a building in the heart of busy Sangnam-dong, Changwon. In the spacious hall, at a window seat, the set for two (jjajangmyeon black bean noodles, jjamppong spicy seafood noodle soup and mini tangsuyuk sweet-and-sour pork) was the order, and the self-service corner had rice set out in the whole pot. Hwaryong Restaurant Changwon-Sangnam branch serves clean, not overly seasoned food in generous portions, making it a Chinese restaurant worth a regular spot in a Sangnam-dong lunch rotation.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored

PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamBars

Changwon date-night pub: Spanish mackerel with 5 sauces at Tansaeng

Tansaeng Sangnam Branch is a charcoal fish-grill pub on the 2nd floor of the building next to Hollys in Sangnam-dong, Changwon. A couple who had vowed to stop drinking before their wedding photo shoot sat at the window counter and ordered charcoal-grilled large Spanish mackerel, top-grade fresh lamb chops and ankimo (monkfish liver) onigiri, and the mackerel with five dipping sauces and the tender lamb stood out. The air conditioning cooled the fish quickly, but Tansaeng Sangnam Branch is still worth recommending for anyone looking for a date bar with a special atmosphere.

Written Jul 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGwangyang, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangyang Korean BBQ lunch on the way home from Yeosu: Mamison

Mamison Hangari BBQ (마미손항아리바베큐) is a jar barbecue restaurant at the foot of a mountain in Ongnyong-myeon, Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province. After a Yeosu trip taken following a wedding photo shoot, the couple stopped at Mamison Hangari BBQ for lunch on the drive back to Changwon and ordered the Hangari Half-and-Half Set (₩25,000), whose barbecue the owner carves at the jar table and which simply melted in the mouth. Verdict: Mamison Hangari BBQ is a great lunch stop on a Gwangyang or Yeosu trip.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored

PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Masan Korean set meal with parents, bulgogi left over: Yun Sikdang

Yun Sikdang (윤식당) is a Korean set-meal restaurant on Bukseong-ro in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon, known for its grilled bulgogi set. Ordering three grilled bulgogi sets (₩16,000 per person) for a meal with parents brought a full table of 9 banchan (side dishes) plus doenjang stew (soybean paste stew), kimchi pancake, grilled fish, soy-marinated abalone and spicy squid salad, with so much grilled bulgogi that some was left over. With a clean dining room and dishes that suit older diners, Yun Sikdang is a good Masan set-meal restaurant for taking your parents.

Written Jul 26, 2026Sponsored

PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Masan Korean BBQ revisit: frozen pork belly and ramen, Smile Hall

Smile Hall Sanho Branch is a retro-style frozen pork belly restaurant in Sanho-dong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon. Craving the taste from a first visit 6 months earlier, the writer returned and ordered 3 servings of flash-frozen pork belly, 2 servings of kkodeulsal (a chewy pork cut) and 1 serving of ramen; the staff grilled all the meat, and it paired well with the egg-yolk special sauce. Smile Hall tastes just the same after time away, making it a Sanho-dong frozen pork belly spot worth returning to.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored

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