'Increase in Foot Traffic, Will It Create Synergy with Existing Commercial Areas? Positive Response to Gwangju Nam-gu Street Food Zone'

Baegun Square 'Food Zone' Opens: First Day Visit

About 310m Section from Moa San Obstetrics & Gynecology to Opposite Namgwangju Nonghyup, 40 Stores Bring Vibrancy

Busking and Exhibitions Provided... A 'Complex Cultural Space' Street for Visu

On the afternoon of the 31st, the first day of operation of the 'Street Food Zone' created by Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City around Baegun Square, citizens are exploring the restaurants.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The savory aroma of cookies just taken out of the convection oven teased the nostrils, and flour-coated fish cakes sizzled deliciously in the fryer.

At a shop selling shrimp dishes, a dazzling teppan fire show attracted attention. The quickly golden-brown 'Shrimp Butter Cheese Skewers' made mouths water.

This is the 'Street Food Zone' created by Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, across from the government office. Opened on the 31st, this place caught the footsteps of passing citizens with various trendy foods.

From in front of Moa Obstetrics and Gynecology to across Namgwangju Nonghyup, about 310 meters of 40 stores breathed life into the previously empty street.

As lunchtime approached, a steakhouse that had gathered quite a few citizens had Vienna sausages cut in the shape of octopuses and finely chopped meat emitting smoke on the teppan grill.

Next to it was a gimbap shop, which received positive reactions from residents. The 'Jeonbokjang Gimbap,' made with Jeolla-do mudflat seaweed and abalone, is said to be a popular menu item. Samgyeopsal Gimbap and Dallaejang Gimbap are also reportedly delicious.

Han Seung-bae (77) said with a smile, "It's great to be able to taste various foods like gimbap, sikhye, and hot dogs, and it suits the elderly palate well, making it an enjoyable experience."

Climbing the curved stairs connected to the stores leads to the rooftop, where colorful chairs welcome visitors. Although it is not a spacious area and has no tables, it is sufficient to enjoy simple 'street food.'

'Kkorichineun Saeu' (Tail-Wagging Shrimp) is the shop that won first place in Nam-gu's evaluation process for food taste and decoration. Its signature menu is 'Black Tiger Cheese Grill.'

Owner Kim Jin-ah (42) boasted, "Street food requires performance elements and ingredient quality. Our differentiated menu and taste are our strengths."

Besides food, cultural and artistic stores operated by various social organizations also attract attention. Through crafts, recycling products, and youth artwork exhibitions, it serves as a space for active communication with local residents.

Kim Bong-soon (77) said, "It's a feast for both the eyes and the palate. I came with an acquaintance over 90 years old, and it seems everyone from young people to the elderly can be satisfied."

The food zone was promoted as an urban regeneration New Deal project to revitalize the Baegun Plaza area, with a project cost of about 2.6 billion won. Following the related media facade project, once the media wall and aerial walkway projects are completed, the floating population is expected to increase, creating a synergistic effect.

A space is also prepared for local artists to perform busking and exhibitions, raising expectations that it will become a specialized street linking food and attractions. Additionally, a large-scale public parking lot is being planned nearby, which is expected to further boost the food zone's vitality.

A Nam-gu official emphasized, "We will do our best to transform the Baegun Plaza area into a people-centered cultural square and make it a representative landmark of Gwangju."