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What to eat in Gwangju

Written by hand, not generated. Dishes, markets, timing and prices for Gwangju.

Eating in Gwangju: a local guide

Gwangju is where the cooking of the Jeolla provinces concentrates. A plain set meal here arrives with a dozen side dishes as a matter of course, and the region is also the home of divisive specialities such as fermented skate. You generally get more on the table than the price suggests.

What people eat here

  • Baekban (set meal)

    Rice and soup surrounded by a spread of side dishes. Most of them are refilled on request.

  • Duck soup with perilla Yudong duck soup street

    Duck simmered with ground perilla seed and water dropwort. Thick, and strongly aromatic.

  • Tteok galbi (minced rib patty) Near Gwangju Songjeong Station

    Rib meat chopped, shaped and grilled, served with a bowl of bone broth.

  • Sangchu twigim (fritters in lettuce)

    Fritters wrapped in lettuce with a seasoned soy dip — a local take on street snacks.

  • Hongeo samhap

    Fermented skate eaten with boiled pork and aged kimchi. Many places let you choose how strongly fermented it is.

Where the food is

1913 Songjeong Station Market

An old market by the station, restored, now full of rib patty and snack shops.

Yudong duck soup street

A short street given over to duck soup restaurants.

Yangdong Market

The largest traditional market in the city, strong on salted seafood and Jeolla side dishes.

Daein Market

A market that artists moved into; a night market runs here at weekends.

Dongmyeong-dong and Chungjangno

Downtown blocks of cafes and bars in converted traditional houses.

When to go

  • The Daein night market runs mainly on weekend evenings, and the schedule changes — worth checking before you go.
  • November and December, the kimchi-making season, bring the best supply of Jeolla kimchi and salted seafood.
  • Set-meal restaurants live off lunch; some close early in the evening.

Worth knowing

  • Some set-meal places only serve two or more people. Alone, a soup or a single dish is the safer order.
  • If fermented skate is new to you, asking for the mildest fermentation makes it approachable.
  • Side dish refills are normally free. If it is more than you can eat, say so when ordering.
  • Songjeong KTX station is some way from the downtown area; allow time for the subway or bus.

What it costsA set meal runs KRW 10,000-13,000, duck soup about KRW 40,000 for two, and a rib patty meal around KRW 15,000.

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What to Eat in Gwangju — Local Food Guide | TastyLog