Jeolla-do is often considered Korea's gourmet food region.
Northern Jeolla (Jeollabuk-do) is closely associated with the origins of the Joseon dynasty, which ruled Korea for almost five hundred years. It is also home to the largest urban hanok (traditional Korean house) village.
Southern Jeolla (Jeollanam-do) combines Gwangju, a major center of democracy and the arts, with a more natural landscape: Jirisan, the highest peak on the Korean mainland, Boseong's green tea plantations, national parks and night sea views.
Keep in mind that getting around the region can be less convenient than getting to Seoul or Busan.
Selected spots to get a feel for the region
Photo source: © Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
Approximate positions, drawn from KTO coordinates
City Mountain Greenery
Where to stay and work in the region
~640K people
The origin of the Joseon dynasty and home to Korea's largest hanok village. A designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy ↗ and one of Korea's most popular tourist destinations, so don't expect it to be quiet.
Where to work
Getting around: Seoul 2h train
~1.4M people
Jeolla-do's largest city, an important site in Korea's modern democratic history and home to the Gwangju Biennale ↗, a major contemporary art event. A convenient base for hiking in the surrounding mountains.
Where to work
On-Off Shared Office coworking
3F, J Tower, 38 Cheomdanyeonsin-ro 91beon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
Getting around: Mudeungsan 50 min busJirisan 1.5h car
~260K people
An aging coastal city surrounded by islands, known for its night sea views and seafood. Yeosu hosted the 2012 World Expo and has a long history as an important naval city. With its romantic cart bars it is a popular weekend destination for couples from bigger cities.
Where to work
Getting around: Gwangju 2h busBusan 2.5h express busSeoul 3h train
~270K people
A good base for exploring the region's natural attractions such as Suncheonman Bay and Boseong tea plantations. Also close to Naganeupseong Walled Town, a preserved Joseon-era village showing how ordinary people lived, with residents still living there today.
Where to work
Getting around: Suncheonman Bay 40 min busBoseong Tea Plantations 40 min carNaganeupseong Walled Town 40 min bus
Population data for 2025. Source: KOSIS(Ministry of Data and Statistics, Population Census) ↗, 2026-09-24. Values rounded to two significant figures.
Study-café data is a manual editorial estimate, last updated in October 2026. Live data currently unavailable.
Study-café data is a live qualitative estimate based on Kakao® Local API ↗ results.
The prices shown are for decent furnished stays available to foreigners, without a large upfront deposit or long-term contract.
The majority of listings lack a dedicated computer desk. Overall, options are quite limited across the region with somewhat better coverage in Jeonju and Yeosu. Suncheon shows decent budget stays mainly on the local-oriented 33m2 platform, while Gwangju is the most local-oriented of them all — the majority of short-term stays are 2–3 room apartments with ~₩1.8M rent.
Ongoing now, and what's coming up
Source: © Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사).
What to explore in the region
Source: © Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사).
A few handpicked representative dishes, each associated with a city known for them
Jeonju
Steamed rice cooked in beef broth, topped with vegetables, beef, egg and yellow mung bean jelly. Served with red chili paste (spicy). Mix well before eating.
Where to eat it ↗
Jeonju
Low-alcohol drink made by simmering makgeolli (Korean rice wine) with herbs and spices like ginger, jujube and cinnamon. Sweet, with a strong cinnamon flavor.
Gwangju
Fermented skate and boiled pork served with aged kimchi (spicy). Often paired with makgeolli.
Gwangju
Pan-fried egg-battered beef sliced into bite-sized pieces and served with soy-based dipping sauce and green onion salad. Best while warm.
Where to eat it ↗
Gwangju
Minced beef seasoned with garlic and soy sauce, molded around the bone and grilled over charcoal.
Yeosu
A combination of three main ingredients: octopus, pork and mustard leaf kimchi — with other seafood such as abalone and shrimp.
Naju
Naju specialty: clear beef bone soup with a rich, meaty flavor, cooked with radish and green onions. Served with rice on the side.
spicy ingredient can usually be left out or served separately.
Source: © Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사). Moju: jojo722 / CC BY 4.0 ↗. Dolmuneoh Samhap: Author's own photo.
