Sangmu, Gwangju hairtail set for two, 49,000 won: Galchi Hanpan

Don't you sometimes crave a home-style Korean spread like your mom used to make? Today I'm sharing my review of Galchi Hanpan, a Sangmu district restaurant where I got a proper taste of that home cooking feeling!!

I'm someone who's completely powerless against hairtail, so when I heard there was a hairtail specialist on Sangmuyeonha-ro, I went straight there out of curiosity. It's a rice place by day and a drinking spot by night — let me tell you everything from the taste of the Galchi Hanpan set to the whole vibe of the place~!!

Where is Galchi Hanpan? The blue sign on Sangmuyeonha-ro

Galchi Hanpan sits on the ground floor of 61 Sangmuyeonha-ro, right on the main street of the Sangmu district in Seo-gu, Gwangju. A huge blue sign with the name Galchi Hanpan spelled out made it super easy to find.

The sign has "braised hairtail, grilled hairtail specialist" written in big letters, so you know right away what they're about.

Besides the hairtail set, there's also a lunch special if you come during the day! I saw they have jeyuk jeongsik (spicy stir-fried pork set) too — next time I need to come for lunch and try that as well haha

Naver Place said there was a break time, but when I actually went, the banner said no break time~! Just so you all know~~!

These are the outdoor tables~ having a drink out here while eating seems like it wouldn't be bad at all haha

Where to park near Galchi Hanpan in the Sangmu district

For reference, Sangmu is a commercial district in Gwangju, so you can't park in the alleys. So we parked at a nearby paid lot and paid 4,000 won.

Parking tip! Use the nearby paid lot (about 4,000 won)

Good to keep this in mind before you visit haha

Inside Galchi Hanpan: a rice-meal spot by day, a drinking spot by night

When I opened the door and walked in, there were several 4-person tables set up. The chairs had pops of red and green color, which was cute.

I visited on a weekday for lunch, and maybe because it was lunchtime, it had a neat, orderly rice-place feel — but somehow I get the sense it turns into a full-on drinking spot vibe at night?

I was planning to eat the Galchi Hanpan set today, and there was detailed information written on the wall. It went into detail about Mokpo hairtail (mokpo meokgalchi) — explaining that instead of flashy silver hairtail, they use ingredients they're serious about for deep flavor and tenderness.

This was the first time I learned that even with the same fish, the taste differs depending on where it's caught and which part you eat, haha. Thanks to that, my general knowledge went up! After reading the explanation, I was already really looking forward to eating before I'd even started.

Galchi Hanpan menu and prices: the small set at 49,000 won

The Galchi Hanpan menu is posted on the wall, and the best pick is definitely the Galchi Hanpan set!

There were two of us, so we ordered the Galchi Hanpan (small) set. Since it comes with both braised and grilled hairtail together, we didn't have to agonize over choosing — a great menu especially for us decision-paralysis types haha

📍Today's order📍 Galchi Hanpan (small) set, 49,000 won

What comes with the Galchi Hanpan set: braised hairtail, grilled hairtail and 8 side dishes

After ordering the Galchi Hanpan (small) set, a whole line-up of side dishes came out. A full 8-dish banchan spread!! Stir-fried zucchini, stir-fried oyster mushrooms, braised beef (jangjorim), seasoned bellflower root, seasoned bean sprouts, seasoned spinach and more — such a wide variety.

I felt like I could fill up on the side dishes alone,,, haha We ended up refilling twice lol. And then, the main event of the day arrives — braised hairtail and grilled hairtail!

The braised hairtail comes with potato, radish, and even dried sweet potato stems in it, so the flavor is rich — the kind of taste older folks would especially love. The grilled hairtail is grilled fish that's totally crispy outside, tender inside!

The grilled hairtail definitely had a softer texture than the silver hairtail I've had before. Maybe because there was so much meat on it, I was full after finishing just one piece.

Especially — you know how grilling hairtail or any fish at home leaves the smell all over your whole body, so it feels like a hassle and you hesitate to make it? But here, there's none of that worry — you just get to enjoy eating it. (Food someone else cooks really is the best, haha)

This is the Galchi Hanpan set (small) for two people. Doesn't look very "small," does it? Plenty for two people to eat until full and still have leftovers! The rice was sticky and glossy too — felt like it was made with premium rice, just like home cooking.

Is Galchi Hanpan worth it? Final thoughts on this Sangmu hairtail restaurant

I had a really satisfying meal at Galchi Hanpan. Whenever I eat something like this, I always think of my parents — next time I definitely need to bring them along :)