Noon Ladle Taster · 16 stories

A Noon Ladle Through Gwangju and Jeolla

Writes about small restaurants and everyday meals found around Gwangju and the wider Jeolla region. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Shopping

PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Kimchi-broth gopchang stew near Chonnam Univ., Gwangju: Kim Taeju

Kim Taeju Seonsan Gopchang, Yongbong Branch is a gopchang jeongol (beef intestine hot pot) restaurant in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, near the back gate of Chonnam National University and Jeoncheolu intersection. On a chilly day, the writer ordered the gopchang stew, mixed it into a ₩2,000 rice bowl, then finished with ramen noodles and fried rice; the kimchi in the broth makes it richer, spicier and deeper the longer it simmers. The restaurant was packed, and its kimchi jjim–like broth makes Kim Taeju Seonsan Gopchang a place you will want to return to.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuShopping

Seo-gu, Gwangju iPhone repair: 11 Pro battery for ₩60,000 at SANFIX

SANFIX is a private iPhone repair shop on the 7th floor of the BYC Building on Sangmujungang-ro in Seo-gu, Gwangju. The writer booked SANFIX through Naver Map and replaced a younger sibling's fast-draining iPhone 11 Pro battery with a high-capacity battery (70,000 won), getting a 10,000 won review-event discount and a 180-day warranty. Before trading an older iPhone for a new one, a battery replacement at SANFIX is worth trying first.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju Korean pub with pre-grilled salt-roasted prawns: Geumho Pocha

Geumho Pocha is a seasonal seafood and raw fish pocha (Korean pub) on the Geumho-dong food street in Seo-gu, Gwangju. During king prawn season the writer ordered the medium grilled king prawns (75,000 won), which arrived already grilled and heaped under a lid rather than cooked at the table, so they could be peeled straight away and had plump, springy meat. Geumho Pocha suits anyone who wants seasonal seafood and soju in an old-school pub rather than a trendy bar.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDong-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju Korean pub, salmon & yukhoe gujeolpan for three: Ju Myeongdang

Ju Myeongdang (주명당) is a Korean pub on the 2nd floor behind the ACC parking lot in Dongmyeong-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju. Three friends shared a gujeolpan (sectioned platter) of salmon, flatfish and yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) over dinner, and Ju Myeongdang added a bingsu (shaved ice dessert) for joining its Naver review event. With soft lighting and private rooms, Ju Myeongdang is a solid Dongmyeong-dong pick for group dinners or dates.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Hyocheon, Gwangju hot pot restaurant with a 3-tier meat bowl: Dugeori

Dugeori Usintang Gwangju Imam Branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in usintang (beef soup) in Imam-dong, Hyocheon district, Nam-gu, Gwangju. Instead of usintang, the writer ordered the teukjeongol (special hot pot), which arrives in a 3-tier bowl of shabu-shabu beef, udon noodles and rice for porridge, eaten in the order shabu, hot pot, udon, then porridge, and found the beef plentiful and fresh. With a private parking lot behind the building and a spacious dining room, Dugeori Usintang is an easy recommendation for a hearty family or group meal in Hyocheon.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Korean dinner with hanwoo yukhoe in Cheomdan, Gwangju: Misikga Imokase

Misikga Imokase Cheomdan Direct Store (미식가 이모카세 첨단직영점) is a Korean imokase restaurant in Cheomdan, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, where many Korean dishes keep coming out like a course instead of a single menu item. At dinner the writer ate hwangtae haejangguk (dried pollack hangover soup), raw fish with soybean powder, hanwoo cow yukhoe (Korean beef tartare), yukjeon (pan-fried beef), grilled yellow croaker, hongeo samhap (fermented skate with pork and kimchi), bossam (boiled pork), stir-fried webfoot octopus with cheese fried rice, hangover ramen, snowflake milk bingsu, pumpkin injeolmi and Saewookkang shrimp crackers; the price was ₩35,000 per person for two diners and ₩30,000 per person for three or more. Misikga Imokase suits days when you can't pick one dish and want to eat your fill of a bit of everything.

Written Oct 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju Korean restaurant for friends with bingsu: Misikga Imokase

Misikga Imokase Sangmu Main Branch is an imokase-style Korean restaurant on Sangmupyeong-ro in the Sangmu district of Seo-gu, Gwangju, serving a spread of many small Korean dishes instead of one main order. On a dinner with friends, Misikga Imokase brought yukhoe (beef tartare), yukjeon (pan-fried beef), seafood, jeon (savory pancakes) and muchim (seasoned salads); the table drank zero cola instead of alcohol and finished with bingsu (shaved ice) and fruit. Misikga Imokase is a good pick when a group wants variety without debating the menu, and the bingsu is worth saving room for even when you're full.

Written Oct 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju pork gukbap restaurant with Yeonggwang-grown rice: Sinjuokmi

Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch is a pork gukbap (pork and rice soup) and sundae-guk (blood sausage soup) restaurant in Suwan District (Jangdeok-dong), Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. The writer shared the nourishing glutinous-rice nurungji pork gukbap (upgraded to a suyuk set for 3,000 won extra), the special spicy fern nurungji pork gukbap and the mixed offal gukbap, and was especially pleased with the Sindongjin rice grown on the restaurant's farm in Yeonggwang, the house-made kimchi and kkakdugi from Korean-grown produce, and the self-serve bar. Sinjuokmi is worth a visit for a hearty bowl of gukbap in Suwan District where even the rice is delicious.

Written Oct 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Sangmu, Gwangju Italian: cuttlefish aglio & risotto at Camel Orzo

Camel Orzo (카멜오르조) is an Italian restaurant serving pasta, risotto and pizza on Uncheon-ro in the Sangmu district of Seo-gu, Gwangju. The blogger skipped the pizza and ordered the Botarga Cuttlefish Aglio e Olio (18,800 won) and the Manzo Crema Risotto (23,500 won); the cuttlefish aglio, with its natural broth and lemon, was the standout, and a Naver receipt review event earned a free fruit dessert. With a warm atmosphere and easy parking, Camel Orzo is a reliable choice for a meal or date with friends or a partner in Sangmu.

Written Oct 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Pizza spot in Gwangju Suwan: ₩2,000 basil margherita swap, Bueokgan

Bueokgan Suwan Branch (부엌간 수완점) is a brunch-café-style pasta and pizza restaurant in the Suwan district of Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Two friends ordered Couple Set B (salad, pasta or rice, pizza and 2 drinks), paid 2,000 won extra to switch the pizza to basil margherita, and added a shrimp anchovy oil pasta to share. Bueokgan Suwan Branch is a comfortable Suwan restaurant for two people to share several dishes and talk at ease.

Written Oct 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju pho for 3 near Chonnam Univ: fiery bulgogi bowl, Wolmidang

Wolmidang Gwangju Chonnam National University Branch is a pho and Vietnamese restaurant on the first floor of the Megabox building at 62 Uchi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju. On a chilly Friday, three friends shared brisket pho (11,000 won), bún chả (14,000 won), a spicy grilled bulgogi rice bowl (12,500 won) and shrimp cha gio (3,600 won). The free noodle and bean sprout refills and the bulgogi bowl's fierce heat stood out. For warm broth and shared dishes near Chonnam National University, Wolmidang is a solid choice.

Written Oct 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Sangmu, Gwangju Western restaurant: mild truffle gnocchi, Bueokgan

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch (부엌간 상무점) is a Western restaurant on Seogwangju-ro in the Sangmu district of Seo-gu, Gwangju. Three friends visited on an early weekday evening and shared shrimp rose pasta, triple mushroom cream gnocchi and arugula prosciutto pizza, and the writer, who normally dislikes truffle, liked the gently truffle-scented gnocchi best. Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is easy for three people to share one pasta, one gnocchi and one pizza, and with its own parking lot out back it is a solid pick for a friends' meetup or a family meal out.

Written Oct 1, 2026Sponsored