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Cafés, restaurants and places in Gwangju, written by bloggers who went there.
Ubokgeum Saenggalbi Mokpo Namak Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Namak New Town, Muan, Gwangju. Staff grilled the 500g fresh beef ribs from start to finish, with tasty sides and bibim naengmyeon for 7,000 won. Verdict: a moist, delicious fresh-rib spot I want to revisit.
Kkankkanhan Jokbal Main Branch is a jokbal restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju. I tried its extra-spicy jokbal and bibim makguksu, then checked out the baseball screen and mini café zone. Verdict: a great pick for a group meal if you love spicy jokbal.
Misikga Imokase Cheomdan Direct Store is a Korean restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju, serving a 17-dish imokase-style feast. We cooked pollack hangover soup and ramen at the table, then finished with spicy webfoot octopus cheese fried rice and milk-ice bingsu. Verdict: a satisfying choice for groups wanting lots of Korean dishes.
Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch is a charcoal-grilled freshwater eel restaurant in Buk-gu, Gwangju. My family waited about 1 hour on a Saturday evening before choosing and grilling thick eel, priced at 29,000 won per 1 kg. Verdict: a satisfying family dinner spot I would happily revisit.
Tams Badaetgaja is a lobster-course restaurant in Dong-gu, Gwangju. We booked the Tams Half Course, with half a lobster per person and dishes served one by one, in a sunny room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Verdict: a lovely choice for a special family meal.
Goban Sikdang Suncheon Jorye Branch is a Korean pork barbecue restaurant in Jorye-dong, Suncheon, where staff cook the meat from start to finish. With two children, we enjoyed the Geunbon assorted platter, galbi, baby chairs, kids’ tableware, seaweed, yogurt, and steamed egg comfortably. Verdict: a reassuringly easy Korean BBQ meal with kids.
Jumak Inho is a Korean restaurant in Dong-gu, Gwangju, serving filling meals by day and makgeolli with Korean dishes in the evening. The red minari gukbap, gochujang ragù sujebi, and juicy chicken jeon made a satisfying meal and drinks spread. Verdict: A great choice for unfussy, unusual Korean food.
Eco Revi Hair & Spa Gwangju Hanam Branch is a hair salon in Gwangsan, Gwangju, offering late-night appointments and head spa services. My mom received a perm to refresh loosened curls and add volume at the roots, plus a shampoo massage and styling guidance. Verdict: a relaxing choice for a mood-boosting new perm.
Sin Mokpo Agujjim Main Branch is a seafood restaurant near Pyeonghwa Square in Mokpo, Gwangju. The beef brisket wrapped agu jjim came generously loaded with monkfish, whole steamed squid, and seafood, while the separately grilled brisket and crisp fried rice were especially good. Verdict: Order the fried rice with the beef brisket wrapped agu jjim.
Avocado Yeosu is a fresh-fruit avocado café near Yi Sun-sin Square in Yeosu, Gwangju. We tried an avocado smoothie, Blue Mountain Americano, and beef bulgogi avocado banh mi in its lovely green-toned space. Avocado Yeosu is a worthwhile stop when avocado cravings hit during a Yeosu trip.
Chomyeon (초면) is a social solo-drinking bar in Dong-gu, Gwangju, where first-time guests mingle over cocktails, games, and darts. Hwan-sang-i Nam-mae visited for a second round, tried the signature Chomyeon cocktail for ₩15,000, and ended up drinking penalty shots with new friends. Verdict: a lively pick for anyone who wants company rather than a quiet drink alone.
Jeongseong Katsu, Cheomdan Branch is a Japanese-style cutlet restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju. I tried the Triple Assorted Katsu Set and Pork Jowl Katsu Set, both 14,900 won, with a crisp draft beer. Verdict: a great pick when you want to switch between different kinds of katsu.
