[Photo from utour.gwangju.go.kr]

Namdo Traditional Food Museum is located at No. 2 of 779, Samgak-dong, Buk-gu (North district), Gwangju Metropolitan City. The clean building which is built well attracts us at first sight. When we enter the museum, we can see a symbol of the big pot shape. A lot of pictures related to foods make visitors feel pleasant. The permanent exhibition of native local foods is a kernel of the museum. It is possible for people to look into the culture of the eating habits from the New Stone Age to the flowering period through the touch screen, relics, video and graphic panel. In addition, we can see the Namdo (the south-western part of Korea) traditional food with the speciality of the region.

Those are charcoal-broiled meat of Gwangyang, Ddeokgalbi of Damyang, steamed skate of Mokpo, mulberry leaves fried kelp of Hwasun, flower rice cake of Gwangju and pickled Japanese apricot. The museum shop is a complex space which exhibits and sells the diverse native plates such as home-brewed liquor, Korean cookies earthenware, and all kinds of vessels and can enjoy reading books and drinking teas. Namdo folk wine is loved by many people. It is because the place is the most rice productive district. Traditional wine of Nagan (Sasamju) of Nagan, Hongju wine of Jindo of Jindo, traditional wine produced in Haenam (Jinyangju wine) of Haenam, Ganghaju (traditional wine of Yeonggwang) of Younggwang, traditional Toju wine produced in Peopseongpo of Beopseong and pear wine of Naju are famous. In the traditional teas of Namdo there are the green tea of Boseong, Sansuyu (cornus officinalis) tea of Gurye, citron tea of Goheung, and wild strawberry tea of Hampyeong. Namdo food for rites is also the pride and joy. The foods of the wedding gifts, offered by the bride to her parents-in-law after the wedding ceremony (Pyebaek) and foods for post-wedding ceremony (Ibaji) are the characteristics of Namdo.

The reappearance of traditional kitchen is also special. It was called 'Jeongji' as the dialect of Namdo. The cooking fireplace, kitchen shelf and woodpile remind visitors of their hometown. The "Museum Studio" which contains the introduction of the museum and the video for the information carries out the diverse lectures and programs of the experience hall. The experience hall is divided into the one for children and the other for the preparation including the traditional food hall. People can make food in the hall. Diverse lectures are also prepared for. The traditional food lecture contains Pyebaek food, Leebaji food, rice cake, Korean cookies and native local foods. There is an instant experimental program, and everyone can enjoy the program with reservation. Visitors can understand the history of the region in Honam (Jeolla provinces) Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall. In the seminar room, the special lecture regarding the culture art is held. The advantages of this museum don’t end at food.

Address: Samgak-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City 779-2

Tel: +82 62-575-8883

Times of use: 09:00 ~ 18:00