Mokpo
Mokpo is known for its octopus, particularly for its nakji tangtangi (chopped live octopus). This is the best place in town to try it, and if you're not…
Must-see restaurants in Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do
Hungry? Come here to feast on tongdak (통닭), chicken served in two courses. First comes a tabletop stir-fry of chicken marinated in a tangy, spicy sauce,…
Gwangju
Run by Buddhist monks, Sujata puts on what is possibly the world's best salad bar. It includes soups, stews, noodles, a dozen different greens, countless…
Jeollanam-do
Seodae-hoe (서대회; thin slices of raw fish marinated in makgeolli vinegar and chilli paste) is a local speciality and this restaurant is famous for it. To…
Gwangju
This humble noodle shop, which specialises in momil (모밀; buckwheat noodles) is a Gwangju institution, in business since 1960 (as the sign out front…
Mokpo
Located in Hadang near the Motel Da Vinci, this popular Japanese restaurant has great-value lunch deals (₩10,000-25,000). Sets such as sushi, tempura and…
Gwangju
Longtime expat Tim Whitman leads the kitchen here, turning out burgers, pizzas and – as befitting a Canadian – poutine. There's Sunday brunch, too. First…
Jeollanam-do
A favourite with local taxi drivers, Yeongbunsik does big portions of hearty staples such as doenjang-jjigae (된장찌개; tofu soup), dolsot bibimbap (돌솥비빔밥;…
Jeollanam-do
This place is famous for mushrooms – choose pyogojeongol (mushroom casserole) or sanchaehan jeongsik (minced beef, seafood, mushrooms and vegetables)…
Mokpo
Though it may not look like much, this is one of Mokpo's finest hoe (raw fish) restaurants, where you can sample the local mineo (민어; croaker). Eat it as…
Jeollanam-do
This restaurant serves Damyang's signature dish: daetongbap (대통밥) – rice and nuts cooked inside a bamboo stem – plus bamboo-shoot doenjang (fermented…
Gwangju
There's a whole string of restaurants specialising in oritang (오리탕; duck stew) along the aptly named Duck St, but this 80-year-old joint, which seasons…
Gwangju
Deservedly popular, Minsokchon serves up lean cuts of so galbi (소갈비; beef) and dwaeji galbi (돼지갈비; pork), set to sizzle over charcoal braziers set into…
Jeollanam-do
In the evening, this market fills with 'covered wagons' – makeshift eating and drinking joints. Several serve haemul bokkeum (해물볶음, ₩30,000), a huge two…
Jeollanam-do
This popular restaurant serves abalone a bunch of different ways, but try what we dub a Korean version of surf-and-turf: wanggalbi jeonbokjjim (왕갈비전복찜;…
Gwangju
Local fashionistas flock to this earthy corner cafe/restaurant to dig into thin-crust pizzas, pastas and healthy salads whilst flicking through fashion…
Mokpo
Not in a seafood mood? Try the galbi (갈비) grills at this local favourite located in the city centre. There’s also a range of fan faves such as bibimbap…
Jeollanam-do
Lovers of red meat will have reason to rejoice at this friendly, family-run, Korean barbecue restaurant serving such favourites as bulgogi and galbi (beef…
Jeollanam-do
This small bibimbap joint does a sashimi variety particularly well, with simple but tasty banchan (side dishes). Floor seating only.
Jeollanam-do
Locals love the fiery bowls of gamjatang (감자탕; pork bone soup) – a Jeollanam-do specialty and reputed hangover cure – served at this all-night Hak-dong…
