Second Stop Pilgrim · 6 stories

Second Round, Busan/Gyeongnam and Gwangju/Jeolla Bars and Restaurants

Writes about bars and restaurants in Busan/Gyeongnam, Gyeonggi, and Gwangju/Jeolla, from late drinks to quiet meals. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars

PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Family sushi lunch near Ilsan Western Dome: seasonal herring, Hwangje

Hwangje Sushi Ilsan Main Branch is a sushi restaurant on the first floor of the SK M City shopping arcade by Western Dome in Ilsan, Goyang. A family lunch of two 10-piece assorted sushi sets (₩19,000 each) and a 12-piece VIP sushi set (₩25,000) came with abalone-innards porridge and grilled salmon to start, thick cuts of fish on generous sushi, seasonal herring and a complimentary ankimo (monkfish liver) flatfish sushi. With friendly service, underground parking and an easy walk on to Ilsan Lake Park, Hwangje Sushi Ilsan Main Branch is a good choice for a family sushi lunch.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Goyang Chinese restaurant with Dad: large jjamjjamyeon, crab fried

Jjamppong Jijeon Seooreung Branch (짬뽕지존 서오릉점) is a jjamppong-focused Chinese restaurant on Seooreung-ro in Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. On a weekend lunch with Dad, the writer ordered a medium glutinous-rice tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork, ₩24,000), a large original-flavor jjamjjamyeon (half jjamppong, half jjajangmyeon, ₩16,500) and crab fried rice (₩11,000), and the staff added free jjamppong fried mandu. The lines kept forming, but crispy frying, fluffy fried rice, careful hygiene and thoughtful service at Jjamppong Jijeon Seooreung Branch left father and child both satisfied.

Written Jul 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

No-break-time Gwangalli Chinese bar for daytime drinks: Mirim Yangjang

Mirim Yangjang Gwangalli branch is a Peking duck restaurant and Chinese bar right in front of Gwangalli Beach in Suyeong, Busan. Because Mirim Yangjang has no break time, the writer dropped in well after lunch for a first-ever Peking duck wrapped in yabing (thin wheat pancakes), plus Hong Kong-style egg noodles received through a review event, Tsingtao and somaek (soju mixed with beer). With chewy duck skin and a thick, rich sauce, Mirim Yangjang is worth a stop if you want Chinese food in Gwangalli.

Written Jul 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Busan monkfish restaurant in Suyeong: phone-ahead suyuk, Sintongyeong

Sintongyeong Agu Suyuk.Tang (신통영 아구수육.탕) is a Korean restaurant near Suyeong Station in Busan serving live monkfish suyuk (boiled sliced monkfish) and seasonal seafood. On a Saturday around 7 pm, the writer phoned 10 minutes before arriving to order a small live monkfish suyuk for 50,000 won, then ate generous monkfish liver and innards in a full room of locals. With a small portion big enough for four and a rich broth, Sintongyeong Agu Suyuk.Tang is a monkfish suyuk spot worth returning to on a Busan trip.

Written Jul 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju Korean bar for weekday solo drinking: Misikga Imokase

Misikga Imokase Sangmu Main Branch (미식가 이모카세 상무본점) is an imokase (chef's-choice set menu) Korean restaurant on Sangmupyeong-ro in Sangmu, Seo-gu, Gwangju, run across a main building, a new building and an annex. Arriving with a reservation at exactly 6pm on a weekday, the writer found the Misikga Imokase main building already full and was seated in the annex; although drinking solo, the writer had to order for at least two people, at 35,000 won per person. From hwangtae haejangguk (dried pollock hangover soup) through spicy raw fish salad, yukhoe, hongeo samhap, cheese fried rice and snow ice, every single dish was delicious, not just plentiful.

Written Aug 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDong-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju makgeolli bar for solo drinkers with Boksundoga: Jumak Inho

Jumak Inho (주막인호) is a traditional Korean liquor restaurant and bar right in front of Geumnam-ro 5-ga Station in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Drinking solo at the bar seats, the writer paired Boksundoga hand-made makgeolli with chilled sliced pork jowl (17,000 won) and fried octopus with potato ongsimi dumplings (12,000 won), and the fizzy makgeolli with the clean-tasting chilled pork was the standout. Jumak Inho is a solid pick for anyone travelling in Gwangju who wants a quiet glass of traditional liquor alone.

Written Aug 5, 2026Sponsored
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