Eat. Drink. Gwangju.

Veggie Buffet

Gwangju is full of meat-eateries and barbecue restaurants.  This may be a bit intimidating if you’re a vegetarian.  Don’t you worry, there’s a place in Poongamdong that’ll give you a sigh of relief.  On the top of a hill across from Poongam High School, is a restaurant that looks as though it’s nestled within a tree.  The exterior is covered in greenery, and don’t worry, you won’t miss the giant “well-being” sign.

Ja Yun Ju Wi is a vegetarian buffet.  Housed in the buffet line are various soups, salads, and some fried vegetarian treats.  I am personally not a vegetarian, but I like to come here every so often on an empty stomach.  There are some mini veggie taquitos that’ll make you think you’re eating the real deal.  Soups, pastas, and a boat load of other veggie treats are on the line.  One of the highlights is the fruit section offering good fruits and the delicious Korean rice drink, Shikkae.

The highlight of the buffet, at least for me, is the self-service bibimbap station.  If you’re a fan, you’ll enjoy the fact you can eat as much of it as you like. Unlimited tea and mediocre hazelnut coffee are available too.

Overall, if you’re in the mood to eat veggie and you’ve got 10,000 won, you’ll be in for a treat.  The food isn’t spectacular, but there enough things that justify the price.

I believe they are closed Saturday nights and Sundays.  They close at 10:00pm week days.

-JD

How to get here:  Take bus 59, 71, 45, 74 or 78 to Poongam Je-Soo-Ji (풍암저수지), walk down past the Cabane (log cabin restaurant) and make a left. Walk up the hill until you see “자연주의” on the left side. Or, you can take a taxi to Poongam-dong Je-Soo-Ji.

"The Jungle"

Greetings everyone.  Thought I’d share a favorite place we like to go in upper Yangsan-dong.  It is called Cho Yu Gi but teachers past have fondly renamed it “The Jungle.”

Let me start off by saying this is definitely the most unique restaurant in Gwangju, possibly the most unique this side south of Suwon.  When you enter you are immediately struck by the ambience, a very soothing and eclectic mix of natural wooden structures, statues and decorations.  A few fountains on the ground floor create soothing sounds which match the chirping birds.  The whole place has a very organic and natural feel to it.  Really.  Quite a bizarre little oasis surrounded by industry and farms.  There are carved wooden tables (with chairs) on the first floor, the second and third floor have floor seating.

Food wise, The Jungle is as eclectic as the deco.  You can get your dwedgie galbi of various qualities or spring for the beef if you’re trying to impress a date.  If you’re not interested in the meat there is bokumbap and a few other Korean sides (we had the mandu-guk once and it was okay).  Now for the strange part: pizza.  That’s right, pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven.  Legend has it that the (owner? head chef?) studied in Italy and wanted to recreate his experience.  Though he may have failed at “authentic,” the pizza is more than acceptable, especially for this part of the world.  Your choices are turkey or plain.  Before you get too excited the “turkey” is actually “ham”.  Regardless, it is not that bad.

Now for the fun part: when you’re done with dinner grab a coffee (free!) and head for the expansive greenhouse.  Now is the best time to go because there are multiple fireplaces to warm the place up.  If you had enough soju with dinner you may even, if only for a moment, imagine you are back in whatever tropical paradise you last vacationed in.  There are various tables and gazebos scattered around the greenhouse so you can chill and savour the ambience.  Oh, and don’t forget to say “hi” to the voluptuous wooden statue on the way out.

- Kory

Next to the restaurant is a little tea house/candle shop/overpriced-aromatic-thing place.  Pop your head in if it’s open.

Getting there is a little tricky.  Head north past the Gwangju Museum for about 5 kilometers.  Just when you feel like you went to far look to your left and you will see the sign from the road.  Turn left down the dark industrial street and it will be on your left.  Perhaps the gracious host of this blog will look up the naver directions and a map?  Alternatively you can take bus 95 from downtown (opposite side of YMCA) and that will take you the whole way, about 45 minutes or so.

This place is pretty close to Family Land, so if you’re looking at a map it is ¾ of the way between the National Museum and Family Land.  Don’t ever go to Family Land.  And if you do, don’t ever go to the zoo.  And if you do go to the zoo please discourage the feeding of choco-pies and potato chips to every animal within reach.  Everyone will ignore you, but you’ll feel better that you at least tried.  Then shed a tear for the hippo in the bathtub.  Better yet, just have a nice meal at The Jungle.

Kimchi Ziggae

Last night I had the pleasure of finally going to Kimchi Ziggae downtown.  I have walked past this restaurant a few times, but had since forgotten about it.  Pete and I checked out what it had to offer.  The interior of the restaurant is like that of any other Korean restaurant in town; floor seating and plenty of it.  The menu is short, literally kimchi chiggae, beer and soju.

Within about eight minutes a massive cauldron of boiling kimchi stew was sitting in front of us.  We were both a little surprised at how good it actually was.  The kimchi was stewed and very tender and the portions of pork were pretty unbelievable.  You get your money’s worth here and it’s fantastic.

Come on an empty stomach and leave feeling rewarded.  This meal will only set you back 6000 won, and oh yea, it’s all-you-can-eat.

-JD

How to get here: Take a bus to Migliore downtown.  Walk past McDonald’s, it’s across from Al-Arab.

Also ask about their other locations.

Tomo

The weather is getting cold and snow and ice are welcoming the streets of Gwangju. Tonight dinner and review were meant to be had in Sangmu, but for whatever reason I had a change of heart. I walked around my local neighborhood of Poongam-dong and discovered a hidden gem; “Tomo.”

“Tomo” is a fusion restaurant. Before you get cynical and bypass this entry all-together, let me just say, this is the good kind of fusion. Tomo’s sign claims it to be a Japanese restaurant, but their menu says different. Tomo’s menu included sushi, tempura, fried rice dishes and tons of chicken, beef, pork and seafood pots. I was explained by the head sushi chef that “Tomo” is a fusion mostly between Japanese and Chinese cuisine. The menu was all in Korean, and the chef said to me that their full menu wasn’t available until after Christmas. I opted for the sushi which ran me 20,000W.

I was welcome with an interesting appetizer plate. On the left were excellent sweet potato chips, made fresh. The middle were rice balls, flavored with soy and ginger. On the right was a fantastic oyster on the half-shell.

Next, came a big steaming bowl of mussel soup. At first taste I thought to myself, oh God, this is going to be bland. Then it hit me, the garlic, chives, leeks and mussels. It was good; really good. Throughout my dining experience, I kept reaching back for the soup, until it was entirely gone; sans the shells.

Finally, out came the sushi. There were only nine pieces, but I was already feeling good from the soup and appetizers. All of the pieces were incredibly tasty and fresh. I must warn you for those who go heavy on the wasabi with soy sauce; it’s not needed! The wasabi used on all of the pieces were thicker, and less creamy. I’m led to believe that it is made in-house. The fish wasn’t slimy nor frozen, which is common at conveyor belt restaurants and “Miss Roll.” The fish tasted good; fresh. After my meal, I was served some nice chill apple slices.

(these pictures don’t do it justice)

The highlight of “Tomo” is it’s eclectic atmosphere; there is enough art to house a small gallery. It was nice to be in a restaurant that makes you feel like you’re in a big Western-city’s’ restaurant. (New York, L.A., San Francisco). There was a lot of thought and design put in to Tomo. This would be a great place to enjoy an evening whiskey, sake or even soju, after work. I do recommend you go with a friend or two. Aside from sushi, most dishes on the menu are for groups.

Overall, for 20,000W, I was greatly impressed with “Tomo.” If you’re even in Poongam-dong, check out the Hand-drip Coffee shop, and head up to “Tomo” for some Japanese-Chinese fusion (in a good way).

-JD

How to get here: Here is a map, the restaurant is across from the small park. MAP. Take bus 59, 71, 45, 74 or 78 to Poongam Je-Soo-Ji (풍암저수지), walk down past the Cabane (log cabin restaurant) and make a left. Walk up the hill until you see “Tomo” on the left side. Or, you can take a taxi to Poongam-dong Je-Soo-Ji.

Muchen Ice Bar

If you like to drink beer and throw things, there is a great place in Gwangju to go.  Found in Gwangju’s “Cheomdon” neighborhood, The Muchen Ice Bar is quickly becoming a popular place to spend a weekend night or your average weekday evening.  Not only do heaps of Koreans come here, many foreigners from Cheomdon, Singa-dong, Sin Chang-dong and surrounding areas, frequent this attractive drinking location as well.

The main attraction here, surprisingly, is the OB draft beer.  They serve this in the traditional mug and also offer pitcher selections.  But, they give you the option of an “ice” mug pint for 3000 won.  This is a plastic pint served inside an ice cup.  This has two impressive characteristics: 1. It keeps the beer ice-cold.  Korean beer is bad.  The colder it is, the better it tastes, and smoother it goes down.  2. Once finished with the beer, you may then throw the surrounding ice cup at a target.  If you hit the middle, you can win a prize.  Prizes range from a free beer to 30,000 won in gift certificates to the bar.  The one catch is, any gift certificates you win, you have to use on your next visit.  This is their way of a assuring a returning customer.  However, you will not need these certificates to return.  Once you go to Ice Bar you will want to go back.

Aside from their OB selections, they have many central European beers available in bottles (Leffe, Hoegarden, Franciscaner, Lowenbrau etc…) and Krombacher on tap.  Of course you will have to pay a bit more for these beers.  Also, a food menu is available serving typical Korean bar food.

To get to the Ice Bar, you have to get to Cheomdon.  If you tell a taxi, “LC Tower (L-Shee Towaa) Cheomdon,” that will get you to the main shopping district of Cheomdon.  From there, its a short walk and would be best to have someone meet you there that knows the area.  Cheomdon is in the outer ring of Gwangju so expect to pay around 10,000 won from downtown by taxi.  Many busses go there as well, including the “9” bus from downtown and bus terminal areas.

Next time you are looking for somewhere new to go, check out the Ice Bar in Cheomdon.  The people there are great (guys you will see as soon as you walk in) and there are many other bars in the area to hop around to.  You can generally get a nice crowd there by suggesting it on weekend or weekend night to anyone who lives in and around Cheomdon.  See you there!

- Andrew Eisenhart