Suwan-dong

My neighborhood, Suwan, has really changed since I first moved to Gwangju 1 year and 7 months ago. At first, Suwan didn't have much to offer, other than space, but now, I've got my pick of restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream cafes. If you're looking for a great place to eat, choose Suwan!

Currently, we have two Vietnamese restaurants, Hoa Binh and Pho Bay. The prices at Pho Bay are about 1,000 won more, but I think the quality is better. Kenny and I also got a free sampler platter of dumplings on our visit.

There are also two new Japanese noodle restaurants open. I went to one last night, and had a bowl of creamy, homemade Ramen noodles for 4,900. Kenny's noodles were different (separate noodles and broth), but just as delicious, and cost 5,900.

If you're looking for Western food, we've got Lemon Table, Tao, Red Piano, Kraze Burger, Gio's, Starbucks (opening soon), Pizza School, Dunkin Doughnuts, Coldstone, and various other pasta and steak houses. The Lemon Table is the same as all the others, and I plan to try Tao in a couple of weeks. The interior of Tao looks welcoming, and there are tables that overlook the Lotte Mart park on their 4th floor balcony.

Naturally, there are many Korean foods available- "slow food," kimbap, Chigae, Samgypsal, and Shabu Shabu. I'd have to say the Shabu Shabu restaurant is my favorite.

For drinking, there aren't many original options, but we do have WA, Millertime, and Fish and Grill, not including the small Hof's. As far a coffee goes, there's the usuals: Kenya, Angel In Us, Coffee Bean, and Ludens.

If you're hungry and looking for a different part of town to check out, I'd definitely recommend Suwan!