Jinshimok Gwangju Review 2026: Paldo Seafood Platter & Hanjeongsik

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Jinsimok, a fantastic Gwangju Hanjeongsik (Korean traditional set menu) restaurant located in Ilgok-dong.

Jinsimok, a renowned restaurant in Gwangju, is famous for its main dish:

Paldo Modum Haemuljang (Assorted Seafood Soy Sauce Marinated Platter from Eight Provinces).

This Jeollado restaurant is directly operated by a master chef, where the master's expertise and sincerity are infused into every dish.

Jinsimok Location Information

Jinsimok, a great restaurant in Ilgok-dong, Gwangju, offers convenient parking with a public parking lot right next to the restaurant.

The Bukgwangju Post Office parking lot is also available for use.

Jinsimok Operating Hours & Info

Jinsimok Gejang Boribgulbi Hanjeongsik Gwangju Main Branch

1st Floor, Jinsimok, 12-4 Seoljuk-ro 471beon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Break Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)

Last Order: 2:15 PM, 8:15 PM

Regular day off: Every Monday

0507-1310-0522

Jinsimok Exterior

With the restaurant on the first floor and a coffee shop on the second floor, it's the perfect spot to grab a coffee after your meal.

Jinsimok Interior

The master chef of Jang (fermented pastes), who received the Grand Prize at a national competition.

Jinsimok's interior is impeccably clean and gives off a very pleasant, comfortable vibe.

It's an ideal Gwangju Hanjeongsik restaurant for special occasions, entertaining guests, or gathering with friends and family.

On the day I visited, it was still daytime, and I saw a family gathering celebrating a mother's birthday at one of the tables.

Jinsimok Menu

The main dish is Paldo Modum Haemuljang.

Specialty dishes include Haemul Galbijjim (Braised Seafood and Short Ribs),

Hwanggeum Boribgulbi Jeong식 (Golden Dried Yellow Corvina Set Meal), and Jikhwa Bulgogi (Flame-Grilled Bulgogi).

For meal options, you can choose from:

Ganjang (Soy Sauce) or Yangnyeom (Spicy) Geumgejang Jeong식 (Gold Crab Set Meal),

Kkomak Bibimbap (Cockle Bibimbap) with Jikhwa Bulgogi,

or just Kkomak Bibimbap.

I ordered the Paldo Modum Haemuljang, which is the main and signature dish of Jinsimok.

Paldo Modum Haemuljang: The Banchan (Side Dishes)

No matter how varied the side dishes are, there are often some that you just don't touch.

Jinsimok's banchan, however, were all incredibly clean and tasted fantastic. They had a wholesome feel, almost like medicinal dishes (yakseon eumsik), made with health in mind.

Tomato Jangajji (Pickled Tomatoes)

Miyeok Chomuchim (Spicy and Sour Seaweed Salad)

Baek Kimchi (White Kimchi)

Radish Salad with Sesame Dressing,

and Three Kinds of Mushrooms to dip in Sesame Oil Sauce.

Tofu Cheese Salad with Oats for a delightful texture.

Three Kinds of Namul Muchim (Seasoned Vegetable Dishes).

We were told these change seasonally.

Seaweed to enjoy with the Seafood Jang

Main Course: Paldo Assorted Seafood Jang

Here's the full spread of Paldo Assorted Seafood Jang.

Whisk the flying fish roe and egg well

and make your own sauce to enjoy with the Seafood Jang.

You'll be served a total of six different types of Seafood Jang:

Flower crab, cockle, abalone, sea snail (chim-sora), king prawn, and golden crab.

Let's explore each one!

Flower Crab Jang

A staff member expertly cut the roe-filled flower crab jang

and prepared it perfectly for easy eating.

Sea Snail Jang

Personally, among all the seafood, I really love sea snails.

Everything was delicious, but the sea snail jang was my absolute favorite.

Abalone Jang and King Prawn Jang

Cockle Jang

Golden Crab Jang

Unlike the flower crab jang, the golden crab jang definitely had a thin, soft shell,

making it incredibly easy and enjoyable to eat.

Jinsimok's Paldo Assorted Seafood Jang was truly wonderful,

allowing us to savor a wide variety of seafood.

Traditional Stone Pot Rice (Sotbap)

The stone pot rice is served as a standard accompaniment.

It's also great because you can make nurungji (scorched rice) with it later.

Sotbap is pure love!

Doenjang-guk (fermented soybean paste soup) is also served separately.

Place some rice on a piece of seaweed,

add a piece of seafood jang,

garnish it with a dollop of the egg and flying fish roe sauce,

wrap it up, and take a bite —

it made me wonder if anything could taste more delicious!

They also have beautifully packaged gift sets, perfect for presenting to special people.

I imagined how delighted anyone would be to receive this as a gift during the holidays.

Jinsimok, a renowned Gwangju Hanjeongsik (Korean traditional full-course meal) restaurant,

requires reservations.

There are often many waiting customers, so we highly recommend making a reservation in advance.

I'm a big fan of Gejang (marinated crab).

My personal benchmark for judging whether a gejang specialty restaurant is truly outstanding isn't just during the meal, but afterwards.

While eating, the sweet and salty flavors can easily make you think it's delicious,

but many times, a fishy aftertaste can linger.

A truly excellent restaurant leaves you with a clean, refreshing aftertaste.

Of course, Jinsimok was delicious while eating,

but the clean finish I felt afterwards truly made me realize that a master's skill is on another level.

If you're looking for a restaurant in Gwangju to share a wonderful time with your loved ones,

be sure to visit Jinsimok!