Gwangju Travel: Exploring 10 Unmissable Local Dishes
If you’re on the hunt for remarkable food experiences, Gwangju is the place to be. Known as South Korea’s food capital, Gwangju delights its visitors with an extraordinary array of traditional and distinct dishes. From the succulent Tteokgalbi to the intriguingly bold Hongeo Samhap, there’s a wealth of flavors to explore. 🔽Let’s dive into our curated list of the top 10 culinary delights you simply must try in Gwangju.
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① Tteokgalbi (Grilled Short Rib Patties)
This dish minces beef ribs and combines them with a marinade that typically includes soy sauce, garlic, sugar, sesame oil, and often a sweet fruit puree like Asian pear or apple to tenderize the meat. The mixture is then formed into patties and grilled. The mixture is then formed into patties and grilled. The result is a rich, savory, and slightly sweet dish.
② Bibimbap
Bibimbap bowls warm rice and tops it with a variety of sautéed and fresh vegetables, such as zucchini, mushrooms, bean sprouts, carrots, and spinach. It usually includes some type of protein, like beef or a fried egg, and mixes it with a spicy gochujang (Korean chili paste) before eating.
③ Hongeo Samhap (Fermented Skate and Steamed Pork)
Hongeo ferments skate and develops a distinctive, strong ammonia smell. It’s often served with samhap, a combination of fermented skate, steamed pork, and kimchi. This combination balances the powerful taste of the skate with the rich, fatty pork and spicy, fermented kimchi.
④ Makgeolli
Makgeolli is a traditional Korean rice wine that is slightly sweet and milky in appearance. It makes use of rice or wheat mixed with nuruk, a fermentation starter. People often drink it from a bowl and serve it with pancakes or other classic Korean dishes.
⑤ Galbitang (Beef Rib Soup)
Galbitang is a hearty, nourishing soup made by simmering beef short ribs with radish, onions, and garlic. The long cooking time results in a broth that’s rich in flavor. It’s typically served with a bowl of rice and often enjoyed with kimchi on the side.
⑥ Janchi Guksu (Banquet Noodles)
Janchi Guksu serves as a noodle dish often at celebrations. It serves thin wheat noodles in a clear and light anchovy or beef broth, and garnishes them with thinly sliced egg, seaweed, and scallions. People often enjoy it with kimchi and a side of spicy radish salad.
⑦ Maeun Tang (Spicy Fish Stew)
Maeun Tang is a hot and spicy Korean stew made with fish, gochujang (red chili paste), gochugaru (red chili powder), and various vegetables such as radish, bean sprouts, and watercress. The fish used can vary, but common types include catfish and cod.
⑧ Gomtang (Beef Bone Soup)
Gomtang creates a soup by slow-boiling various beef parts like ribs, oxtail, brisket, head, and leg bones. The result is a milky, rich soup that is high in nutrients. People traditionally serve it with a bowl of rice, salt, and chopped green onions for seasoning, and often accompany it with kkakdugi (radish kimchi).
⑨ Gwangju-style Bulgogi
Bulgogi makes use of thin slices of beef that marinate in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, and other flavors, then grills them. The Gwangju version often uses locally sourced beef and can include unique ingredients in the marinade.
⑩ Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake)
Pajeon makes a savory pancake using a batter of eggs, flour, and scallions. It can also incorporate a variety of other ingredients, like seafood, meat, or other vegetables. People often enjoy it as a snack or appetizer, pairing it with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili flakes.
