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Cafés, restaurants and places in Gwangju, written by bloggers who went there.
Uchangho Sashimi Takeout & Direct Sales Market is a seafood takeout shop in Ungcheon, Yeosu. I picked up about 1 kg of preordered red sea bream with ice packs and sauces for drinks and a late-night meal. A great-value choice for sashimi at your accommodation or by the Ungcheon Floating Fish Market.
Wolmidang Gwangju Chonnam National University Branch is a Vietnamese restaurant in Buk-gu, Gwangju, near Chonnam National University. I tried brisket pho, bún chả, and soy sauce charcoal-grilled bulgogi rice for 11,000, 14,000, and 12,000 won. Verdict: a filling choice for solo meals or meals with friends and family.
Jinsim King Donkatsu Pyeongdong Branch is a pork cutlet restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju, near Pyeongdong Station. I ordered the Jinsim King Double Donkatsu and Jinsim King Jjolmyeon, a filling pairing of crispy cutlet and spicy-tangy noodles, with ample parking and roomy seating. A great choice for a hearty lunch by car.
Hwanggeum Hoe Pocha Gwangju Wolsan Branch is a sashimi restaurant in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju. My friend and I ordered the 2-person raw shrimp and live fish sashimi set, then enjoyed DIY pancakes, generous side dishes, fried shrimp heads, and spicy fish stew. Hwanggeum Hoe Pocha is a satisfying choice during raw shrimp season.
Simdon Mokpo Pyeonghwagwangjang Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Mokpo, Gwangju, where the meat arrives fully grilled on one platter. We enjoyed the medium Simdon assorted grilled platter, bomb cheese steamed egg, complimentary doenjang sulbap, and plenty of accompaniments. Verdict: a wonderfully easy place to enjoy meat without anyone being stuck at the grill.
Camel Orzo is an Italian restaurant in Seo-gu, Gwangju, serving pasta, pizza, and steak. On a fifth visit, I had the Basil Calzone & Tomato Caprese and Bottarga Cuttlefish Aglio Pasta, and loved the bright lemon oil pasta and build-your-own calzone. Verdict: a great pick for dates or sharing several dishes with a group.
Udon-i Wanseongdoeda is a Japanese udon restaurant near Peace Plaza in Mokpo, Gwangju. I tried Toowoomba cream udon, bukkake udon, and several fried sides, and the bouncy yet tender house-made noodles were especially my style. Verdict: a great stop for a cool or filling udon lunch during a Mokpo trip.
Synth Pet & Kids Glamping is a pet-friendly family glamping site in Goheung, Gwangju. On Aaron’s first glamping trip, we enjoyed a private cabin, dog playground, indoor pool, and a barbecue in the camping zone. A satisfying Goheung stay with plenty for both kids and dogs to do.
Hoyang Horim is a hanok-style dessert café in Nam-gu, Gwangju. My younger sibling and I tried an injeolmi waffle, black sesame dried-persimmon sando, condensed milk cinnamon latte, and iced Americano. Verdict: a relaxing stop for traditional-style desserts and terrace time.
Suwanjigu Form is a cozy Italian restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju. I visited with my parents for its summer seasonal menu of Korean beef tartare, cuttlefish, and pork tenderloin, plus house-made melon sorbet. Verdict: a relaxed, atmospheric choice for a family meal or date.
Dongsanjeong is an octopus restaurant at the entrance to Ppeolnakji Street in Muan, Gwangju. We tried the ₩55,000-per-person Signature Set, with live chopped octopus, grilled rolled octopus, spicy stir-fried octopus, galnaktang, and a generous spread of side dishes. Dongsanjeong’s Signature Set is a filling final meal for anyone wanting to try octopus prepared several ways.
Ppaksen Freshwater Eel Songjeong Station Branch is a charcoal-grilled eel restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju. We had two portions each of salt-grilled and seasoned eel, then finished with yeolmu noodles for 6,800 won. Verdict: try both styles to get the full appeal of eel!
