# Korean restaurant in Gwangju for perilla leaf beef wraps: Dugeori - By Haeri (https://superchart.com/en/@tiled-table-jeolla/) - Written Sep 10, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Nam-gu, Gwangju - Sponsored: This post was written with support for a restaurant visit. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@tiled-table-jeolla/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@tiled-table-jeolla/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/index.md) ## In short Dugeori Usintang Gwangju Imam Branch is a Korean restaurant in Nam-gu, Gwangju, serving galbitang and spicy beef hot pot. After reserving, I enjoyed the 22,000 won Usin jeongol and 14,000 won galbitang, from perilla leaf wraps to tender ribs and scorched-rice pot rice. Verdict: a dinner I would happily return for. ## Good to know - **Hours**: 10:30–22:00 - **Last order**: 21:00 - **Parking**: Dedicated parking available - **Usin jeongol**: ₩22,000 for 2 servings - **Galbitang**: ₩14,000 - **Special hot pot and Usin jjim**: Available after 13:00 - **Ice cream bar**: ₩1,000 *as written by the visitor on Sep 10, 2026* Dugeori Usintang, famous in Jeonju, also has a branch in Gwangju’s Hyocheon district, so I visited the nearby Imam Branch. True to its reputation as a great Hyocheon-district spot, the owner was so kind, the meal was delicious, and it is somewhere I want to revisit next time. ![Visit to Dugeori Usintang Gwangju Imam Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-01-giyof-900.webp) ## Dedicated Parking and Restaurant Atmosphere Dugeori Usintang has its own dedicated parking lot, which was great because there was no need to worry about parking. It is generously sized in the alley behind the restaurant. ![Dedicated parking information for Dugeori Usintang](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-02-1tumz-900.webp) It is at 119 Hyocheon 3-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju, South Korea, opening at 10:30 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m. Last orders are at 9 p.m., and yes, there is dedicated parking ⭕️ ![Dugeori Usintang Imam Branch restaurant information](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-03-vbe2f-900.webp) ![Exterior of Dugeori Usintang Imam Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-04-rfi1f-900.webp) The dining room is quite spacious. I arrived around 5:30 p.m., but after 6 it was packed with diners—definitely a popular Imam-dong restaurant. ![Dining room filled with guests](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-05-36s7z-900.webp) Further inside, there are separate tables for company dinners and group reservations, so groups would do well to reserve before visiting. ![Separate tables for group reservations](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-06-15iw2-900.webp) Dugeori Usintang’s special hot pot and Usin jjim (braised beef) are sold only after 1 p.m., so you have to go for dinner to try them, haha. They would be great for curing a hangover or as food with drinks 💛 ![Information on the special hot pot and Usin jjim menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-07-1gb9v-900.webp) ## Ordering Usin Jeongol and Galbitang They simmer the broth from the morning, so you can enjoy fresh broth and ribs every day. Usintang is a spicy beef soup, while special hot pot and Usin jeongol are spicy beef hot pots. That is an easy way to think of it if usintang is unfamiliar. ![Menu at Dugeori Usintang Imam Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-08-19vif-900.webp) We reserved in advance. We ordered the Usin jeongol for two at ₩22,000 and galbitang (beef short-rib soup) at ₩14,000. ![Ordered Usin jeongol and galbitang](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-09-xbdns-900.webp) ![Table setting with Usin jeongol and galbitang](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-10-3cjn4-900.webp) There were four basic side dishes in all. The baek kimchi (white kimchi) was so refreshing and delicious, and I was pleasantly shocked by how good the salted squid was! ![Baek kimchi and salted squid side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-11-rzpw5-900.webp) They are also running a receipt-review event. Pay first with a staff member and ask for a receipt; once your review is complete, they give you a cup of ice cream for free ✨ ![Receipt review event information](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-12-qwbu2-900.webp) Dugeori Usintang is a chain that started in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, in 2003 and has its main branch in Jeonju. Be careful: if the Dugeoridaek logo is missing, it may be a similar trademark 🚫 The self-service bar was neatly arranged. There were kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), baek kimchi, sauces, and perilla leaves that you could serve yourself. The perilla leaves with the shabu-shabu beef were such a perfect match that I kept going back for more. ## Spicy Usin Jeongol in Perilla Leaf Wraps The owner kindly explained how to eat it, too. Unlike usintang, which comes in an earthenware bowl, Usin jeongol has a different charm, rather like shabu-shabu. ![Shabu-shabu ingredients for Usin jeongol](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-13-1weip-900.webp) ![Instructions for eating Usin jeongol](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-14-1ecx0-900.webp) They said it tastes even better if you add all the fresh shabu-shabu ingredients at once and let the broth reduce a little. Another top tip: eat the beef with sauce and perilla leaves. ![Usin jeongol with reduced broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-15-1r868-900.webp) The broth was perfect with soju. It was not overly spicy, just pleasantly punchy, and so good with rice. ![Spicy Usin jeongol broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-16-1hr42-900.webp) ![Usin jeongol and rice table setting](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-17-1yb1x-900.webp) You absolutely have to wrap the shabu-shabu beef and mushrooms in perilla leaves like this. The perilla aroma goes incredibly well with the spicy beef. ![Shabu-shabu beef and mushrooms in perilla leaf wraps](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-18-1ord6-1200.webp) There were rib bones in the pot, too, but not a single piece was tough—the meat came right off, so I ate that with perilla leaves as well. ![Rib bones and meat in Usin jeongol](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-19-1oul4-900.webp) The pot rice was genuinely delicious, too. The difference between Usin jeongol and the special hot pot is that Usin jeongol comes with sticky pot rice, while the special hot pot includes udon noodles, rice porridge, or pot rice, so you can enjoy it like a shabu-shabu course. ![Sticky pot rice included with Usin jeongol](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-20-1ts6k-900.webp) ## Galbitang Loaded with Ribs and Scorched-Rice Pot Rice I had heard this was a galbitang favorite, and it really was: the broth was flavorful and rich, with an amazing amount of ribs. Add the pepper served alongside to season it to your taste. Galbitang is soul food for parents, and I highly recommend this Gwangju galbitang spot. ![A bowl of galbitang with ribs](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-21-f00p3-900.webp) The meat was truly tender. The ribs slipped right off, and the meat was soft, flavorful, and completely free of any smell. My dad said it was so good, haha. ![Tender galbitang ribs](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-22-6mo84-900.webp) ![Soft meat from the galbitang](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-23-vr81n-900.webp) The sticky pot rice with nurungji (scorched rice) was reaaally delicious. There was just the right amount of crisp rice, and it made a hearty meal with the salted squid. ![Scorched-rice sticky pot rice with salted squid](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap-24-1nvve-900.webp) For dessert, nostalgic hard ice cream bars are sold for ₩1,000. It had been a while since I had one, and it was a delicious finish to this dinner. My mom raved about the Usin jjim she had in Jeonju and said she fell in love with it, so I want to come back for that, too. Especially if Dugeori Usintang’s distinctive shabu-shabu in Imam-dong appeals to you, I highly recommend the Usin jeongol or special hot pot..! ## Where it is - Dugeori Usintang Gwangju Imam Branch (두거리우신탕 광주 임암점) (두거리우신탕 광주 임암점) - 119 Hyocheon 3-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju, South Korea - 전남광주통합특별시 남구 효천3로 119 1층 - 35.1046629, 126.8757214 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%91%90%EA%B1%B0%EB%A6%AC%EC%9A%B0%EC%8B%A0%ED%83%95%20%EA%B4%91%EC%A3%BC%20%EC%9E%84%EC%95%94%EC%A0%90/@35.1046629,126.8757214,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@tiled-table-jeolla/gwangju-imamdong-galbitang-perilla-wrap/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt