Haeun Jo · 4 stories

A Noon Jeotgal in Yangdong

Writes about small restaurants and market stalls around Gwangju and the Jeolla region. · Writes about: Restaurants · Stays

PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Katsu and spicy ttangcho udon in Cheomdan, Gwangju: Jeongseong Katsu

Jeongseong Katsu, Cheomdan Branch is a katsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant on the 1st floor of the CMC parking tower in Ssangam-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, a 3-minute walk from Cheomdan General Hospital. On a weekday visit after the lunch rush, the order was the triple mixed katsu at 14,900 won plus pocha ttangcho udon (spicy udon), Jeongseong homemade curry and an extra bowl of rice, and the fiery udon broth worked as a hangover cure after the night before. Parking behind the building is free for up to 2 hours, so Jeongseong Katsu is an easy stop by car in Cheomdan.

Written Sep 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGurye, GwangjuStays

Valley swimming and garden BBQ at Gurye pension Jirisan Secret Garden

Jirisan Secret Garden is a pension in Toji-myeon, Gurye, South Jeolla, with a path leading straight down to Piagol Valley. Staying in Room 4, the writer picked eggplants and peppers from the on-site vegetable garden, grilled pork belly, beef and blue crab at the room's private barbecue area, and swam in a quiet private stretch of Piagol Valley. The water at Jirisan Secret Garden was clear and just the right depth, so the writer is already planning a return stay next year.

Written Sep 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

No-wait weekday 5pm at a Gwangju BBQ buffet: Sin Jjukkumi Duam-dong

Sin Jjukkumi Unlimited Refill Duam Branch is an all-you-can-eat jjukkumi (webfoot octopus) and pork belly restaurant in Duam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. On a repeat visit at 5pm on a weekday there was no wait, and the jjukkumi plus fresh and shaved pork belly buffet (23,500 won per adult) was grilled in a half-and-half iron pan, one side at a time. Between the pork belly and the self-made fried rice finish, Sin Jjukkumi Duam Branch was worth another visit.

Written Sep 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Sangmu, Gwangju pasta restaurant with enoki-topped risotto: Bueokgan

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is a European-style restaurant on Seogwangju-ro in the Sangmu district of Seo-gu, Gwangju, designed around a vintage Italian hotel concept. On this repeat visit the order was vongole pasta at 20,000 won, abalone cream risotto at 20,000 won, sweet pumpkin soup at 8,000 won and an apple earl grey ade, with the vongole full of clams and the risotto topped with fried enoki mushrooms. Even in busy Sangmu, Bueokgan has its own parking lot behind the building, and the pumpkin soup was thick enough to feel wasted as a side dish.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
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