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Cafés, restaurants and places in Gwangju, written by bloggers who went there.
Chomyeon is a cocktail bar on the second floor near Dongmyeong-dong’s dining alley in Gwangju. I visited with a friend for five cocktails and salsa nachos; its quiet mood, bar seats, smoked Godfather, and rich espresso martini stood out.
Gujeon Gukbap Yongbong Main Branch is a Korean restaurant near Jeon Cheol-woo Intersection in Yongbong-dong, Gwangju. I had spicy zucchini gukbap and mixed spicy pork gukbap for dinner; the broth and generous pork were good, though our meat dumpling order was missed.
Kkankkanhan Jokbal Yongbong Branch is a jokbal restaurant near Jeon Cheol-u Intersection in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. I ordered the large half-and-half jokbal, alternating between charcoal-grilled and spicy fire-grilled pork hocks; both were pleasantly chewy, and the spicy version was not too hot for me.
Vibe Log Coffee Naju Dongshin University Branch is a café near Dongshin University in Daehodong, Naju. I tried the blueberry yogurt and dirty chocolate croffles with drinks; both were crisp outside and chewy inside, with sweetness that was not overwhelming. The roomy seating was comfortable, and the two croffles cost under ₩10,000 at the time of my visit.
Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch is a Korean restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju, serving gukbap (Korean soup with rice) and suyuk sets. I returned for spicy fern and assorted offal gukbap and pork gukbap with sanghwang mushroom and glutinous rice nurungji, and preferred the latter’s gently herbal, slightly sweet broth followed by mild heat.
Dugeori Usintang Gwangju Imam Branch is a Korean restaurant with private parking in Imam-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju. We ordered the special hot pot for two and ate beef, chives, udon noodles, and porridge in sequence. The broth grew richer as it simmered, and the generous portion left us very full.
Mujinjang Sik-yuk Kkori Gomtang is a Korean beef tail soup restaurant near Peace Square in Mokpo, Gwangju. The clear yet rich broth, tender meat, kimchi, and cubed radish kimchi were especially good, and my child enjoyed it too. Verdict: a filling, easy-on-the-stomach meal for families.
Jumak Inho is a small Korean bar on Geumnam-ro in Gwangju, serving traditional drinks and Korean dishes in the evening. I tried Seonho makgeolli, chilled pork jowl, beef brisket doenjang sulbap, and fried octopus with potato dumplings; the portions and textures were satisfying, though the doenjang sauce was salty when used generously.
Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch is a Korean restaurant in Jangdeok-dong, Gwangsan, where I had two gukbap-and-suyuk set lunches. The warm, tender suyuk and generous meat in the gukbap were satisfying, though the nurungji was less softened than on my previous visit.
Dugeori Usintang Gwangju Imam Branch is a Korean restaurant on Hyocheon 3-ro in Nam-gu, Gwangju, where I ate usin jeongol and galbitang with my family. Both came with sotbap, and the tender ribs and scorched-rice finish were satisfying, though the restaurant was busy even at an early weekday lunch.
Kkankkanhan Jokbal Yongbong Branch is a Korean restaurant near Jeoncheol-u Intersection in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. The two of us had the large charcoal-grilled jokbal front leg and bibim makguksu; the moist meat and subtle charcoal aroma stood out, along with the complimentary fish cake soup and steamed egg.
Gujeon Gukbap Yongbong Main Branch is a Korean restaurant near Chonnam National University in Yongbong-dong, Gwangju. On a return visit, I tried the spicy Halmep mixed pork gukbap, the gently mala-scented sundae gukbap, and meat dumplings. The heat of the Halmep gukbap built as I ate, while the mala version was easy to enjoy.
