Slow Plate Pilgrim · 23 stories

A Slow Plate in Yangdong

Writes about restaurant meals and small eateries found while wandering through Gwangju and the wider Jeolla region. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Tuesday jokbal couple set with a friend, Cheomdan Gwangju: Kkankkanhan

Kkankkanhan Jokbal Main Branch is a charcoal-grilled jokbal (pig's trotters) restaurant in Cheomdan (Wolgye-dong), Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. On a Tuesday evening, the writer and a friend shared the Couple Set of charcoal-grilled jokbal, makguksu (buckwheat noodles) and a drink, and enjoyed the smoky jokbal, the cool bean sprout soup and the partitioned seating. For a filling meal or a few casual drinks with a friend, the Couple Set at Kkankkanhan Jokbal Main Branch is a safe choice.

Written Apr 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuCafés

Gwangju choco pie shop: injeolmi wins our family taste test, Ssukseu

Ssukseu Choco Pie is a mugwort choco pie dessert shop in Songjeong Market, right in front of Songjeong Station in Gwangju. On a weekend evening at the Songjeong Market night market, the cold wind cut the browsing short, so the writer took home a 6-piece gift set with all 6 flavors and compared them with family at home. The sea-breeze mugwort injeolmi (roasted soybean powder rice cake) pie won the family taste test, and the Ssukseu Choco Pie 6-piece gift set is worth picking again as a Gwangju travel gift.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju eel grill near Songjeong Market with parents: Yuil Jangeo

Yuil Jangeo (유일장어) is a charcoal-grill freshwater eel restaurant on Donggok-ro in Gwangsan, Gwangju. After weekend-evening errands at Songjeong Market, the writer and both parents chose their own eels at Yuil Jangeo, grilled them over charcoal and finished with nurungji (scorched rice) and bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles); the table setting fee is 4,000 won per adult. Thanks to its large parking lot, private rooms and self-serve bar, Yuil Jangeo was a satisfying spot for a family dinner with parents.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMokpo, JeonnamRestaurants

Mokpo monkfish restaurant, kiosk order and bunmoja noodles: Sin Mokpo

Sin Mokpo Agujjim Main Branch is a braised monkfish (agujjim) restaurant on Ogam-ro in Mokpo, Jeonnam, near Peace Square. The blogger ordered a medium agujjim in the mild level at the kiosk and had side dishes and soup, agujjim with rice cake and bunmoja (thick sweet potato glass noodle) add-ins, fried rice made after scooping out some sauce, and a free drink from an opening event. With a spacious hall, private rooms and group seating, Sin Mokpo Agujjim Main Branch is a solid Mokpo pick for family gatherings and company dinners.

Written May 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMuan, JeonnamCafés

Namak, Muan café for extra-shot matcha latte and pudding: GRAY LAZY

GRAY LAZY (그레이레이지) is a moody café on the 2nd floor of Seogwang Building in Namak, Samhyang-eup, Muan, Jeonnam, known for its stone-and-pebble bar seats and dim lighting. The writer tried four drinks (Agom latte, iced matcha latte with an extra shot, iced americano and iced vanilla latte) plus custard pudding and churros, and confirmed that GRAY LAZY is dog-friendly and has a room you can reserve. Verdict: GRAY LAZY is a Namak café that gets both atmosphere and flavor right, and the writer is 100% planning to return.

Written May 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuRestaurants

Tonkatsu buffet in Suwan, Gwangju for Parents' Day: Donpe Suwan

Donpe Suwan (돈페 수완점) is an all-you-can-eat buffet built around tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) on the 6th floor of the ABC Mart building in the Suwan district of Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. For Korea's Parents' Day, the writer took their parents to Donpe Suwan on a Friday evening for the 13,900 won dinner. They had tonkatsu and fried chicken, Korean dishes with lettuce wraps, bottomless draft beer, and fruit and dessert. With its spacious dining room and wide menu, Donpe Suwan is a family restaurant in Gwangju that pleases every generation.

Written May 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMokpo, JeonnamRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Mokpo after Pyeonghwa Square, pork neck in gim: Simdon

Simdon Mokpo Pyeonghwagwangjang Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Pyeonghwa Square in Sangdong, Mokpo, that grills pork belly, flower pork neck (kkotmoksal) and pork skin for you and serves them on one platter. Hungry after time at Pyeonghwa Square, the writer ordered the Simdon mixed platter and got a basic table setting with doenjang rice soup, a cheese bomb steamed egg served on a visit before 6pm, and a heaping bowl of rice topped with ham. For anyone who wants Korean BBQ without grilling it themselves, Simdon Mokpo Pyeonghwagwangjang Branch is worth a return visit.

Written May 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGokseong, JeonnamRestaurants

Gokseong donkatsu spot with blueberry sauce salad bar: Jinsim Wang

Jinsim Wang Donkatsu Okgwa Branch (진심왕돈까스 옥과점) is a donkatsu (pork cutlet) chain restaurant in Okgwa-myeon, Gokseong, Jeonnam, handy for a stop on a Gokseong Train Village outing or a drive. On a Gokseong day trip, the blogger had the Jinsim Wang Jjol Donkatsu (cheese-filled king cutlet), mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in icy broth), Jinsim Wang Bibimbap and Jinsim Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and was most impressed by the salad bar sauce made from blueberries the owner grows himself. Thanks to generous portions and unlimited drink refills, Jinsim Wang Donkatsu Okgwa Branch was a satisfying family meal and the blogger would happily return.

Written May 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangsan, GwangjuCafés

Sunlit Suwan, Gwangju pie café, tiramisu pie: Share Share Pie Shop

Share Share Pie Shop is a handmade pie café in the Suwan district of Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. The writer visited Share Share Pie Shop with a friend for tiramisu pie, an iced americano, an iced decaf vanilla latte and a Jeju matcha latte, and the white and wood interior lit by big windows stood out most. For a quiet, photogenic café in Suwan, Share Share Pie Shop is easy to recommend.

Written May 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Pho near Chonnam Univ, Gwangju, for aroma-sensitive eaters: Wolmidang

Wolmidang Gwangju Chonnam National University Branch is a pho restaurant on Uchi-ro in Buk-gu, Gwangju, near Chonnam National University. On a cold day the writer arrived with friends right at opening time and ordered one brisket and flank pho, two brisket pho and the couple's cha gio set, and even though the writer is sensitive to pho's aroma, there was no off-putting smell and the broth was finished to the last drop. With counter seats that make solo dining easy, Wolmidang suits both a meal with friends and a lunch on your own.

Written Nov 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Gwangju donkatsu & beer: weekend ssam katsu with my parents, Filling

Filling Donkatsu Yongbong Branch is a donkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant right next to Hyundai Hospital in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. On a weekend evening with my parents, we ordered the healthy ssam katsu (cutlet wrapped in rice paper), the shrimp-packed rosé pasta and beer. The cutlet was crispy yet juicy and the rosé pasta thick and creamy, so my parents kept saying how good it was, and Filling Donkatsu also included soup and dessert coffee. With parking support and semi-private window seats, Filling Donkatsu Yongbong Branch is a satisfying spot for a family dinner with parents.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Duam-dong octopus buffet dinner with Mom in Gwangju: Sin Jjukkumi

Sin Jjukkumi Unlimited Refill Duam Branch is an all-you-can-eat jjukkumi (baby octopus) and pork belly restaurant in Duam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. The writer went on a Friday evening with her mother, ordered for 2 adults, wrapped spicy jjukkumi, fresh pork belly and thin-sliced pork belly in lettuce, and finished with fried rice made in the leftover sauce. With a spacious dining room, a self-serve corner and takeout available, Sin Jjukkumi Duam Branch is a solid pick for both family meals and group dinners.

Written Jun 1, 2026Sponsored