Heritage Korean Restaurant Frequented By K-Stars Like Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae Opening In S’pore
Gwangjang Gaon restaurant from Seoul is founded by a culinary professor. It serves traditional Korean dishes like knife-cut noodles in beef bone broth and pork belly simmered in 15-year-old “mother stock”.
Well-loved Korean restaurant Gwangjang Gaon will open its first overseas outpost at Jewel Changi Airport on 16 July. The eatery has two outlets in Seoul – its award-winning flagship at Gwangjang-dong, and another one at the historic Myeongdong Cathedral. It’s known for serving hearty heritage dishes made with treasured fourth-generation recipes from its founder’s family. Celebrity fans include actor Lee Jung-jae of Netflix hit ‘Squid Game’ and Han So-hee, who shot to fame with the gritty action series ‘My Name’ and drama ‘Nevertheless’.
Gwangjang Gaon has won multiple accolades, including the prestigious 2025 Seoul’s Blue Ribbon Award in the category of traditional Korean cuisine (basically Korea's version of the Michelin Guide) and a Ministerial Commendation from the South Korean government.
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Founded by a foodie professor
Gwangjang Gaon was founded in 2008 by sixty-something Professor Hyo Soon Park, a respected culinary academic who has dedicated her career to researching and teaching traditional Korean cuisine. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Shinhan University, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Sejong University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Management from Kyonggi University. She has taught at multiple universities and runs a popular Korean cooking YouTube channel.
Gaon’s Samgye Tang
“Secret family recipes” almost lost during Korean War
She's no stranger to the spotlight either – Professor Park has appeared on Korean cooking programmes like tvChosun's "살림 9단의 만물상" (Salim Manmulsang of 9).
Prof Park will be in town for the Singapore restaurant’s launch to oversee operations. She shares about Gaon’s cuisine: “These are secret family recipes that have been with us since my great-grandmother’s time. We nearly lost them during the Korean War, but through hardship and perseverance, we managed to preserve our culinary heritage. That’s how Gaon came to be – a place where we continue to serve dishes rooted in our family’s story.”
Heading the Singapore kitchen permanently is the Korean “master chef” who previously helmed all the Gwangjang Gaon branches in Seoul.
Queue outside Gwangjang Gaon’s flagship outlet in Gwangjang-dong, Seoul
The restaurant's name comes from the street where it first opened — locals in South Korea know it as Naru Gaon or Gwangjangdong Gaon, after the Gwangjang-dong area in Seoul. The word “gaon” (家温) comes from the Korean phrase for “family home”, a nod to the home-style nature of the dishes served here.
Gwangjang Gaon’s restaurant at Myeongdong Cathedral
Gaon’s Seoul outlets often draw long queues. Its Singapore outpost is a franchise owned by Singfire Asia Group (also behind cafe and deli The Providore).
A-list fans include Han So-hee & Lee Jung-jae
According to the brand, celebrities that patronise Gwangjang Gaon’s Seoul restaurants include aforementioned K-drama A-listers Lee Jung-jae (left in pic), Han So-hee (right), and also veteran actress Choi Myung-gil, beloved for her long-running career in K-dramas like ‘Love and Ambition’. Fun fact: Myung-gil reportedly adored the food so much, she opened a Gaon franchise outlet of her own in Seoul (separate from the brand’s two main restaurants).
The 52-seater at Jewel Changi Airport takes over the space formerly occupied by Korean fried chicken restaurant Kko Kko Nara. Here, diners can enjoy their meal while taking in views of the Rain Vortex.
Gomguksu, $16.90
One of Gwangjang Gaon’s most popular dishes in Seoul is the Gomguksu, a comforting bowl of knife-cut noodles in beef bone broth that’s been simmered for hours. All dishes are served with house-made banchan (side dishes), and we’re told the kimchi here is fermented in-house.
Gaon Galbi, $69.90
Premium beef short ribs cooked sous-vide over 24 hours in a blend of over 20 herbs. They’re then lightly torched and served on a traditional Korean wooden tray, a nod to those used for royalty in the old days.
Bossam, $43.90
Classic boiled pork wraps with pork belly simmered in a 15-year-old mother stock from Korea. Accompanied by the usual bossam accompaniments like veggie wraps, kimchi and raw garlic.
Modm-Jeon, $29.90
The restaurant is also known for its Korean fritters, featuring golden bites of shrimp, pollack, zucchini, ground pork and crab surimi (crab stick).
Deulgireum Makguksu, $23.90
This chilled buckwheat noodle dish is perfect for Singapore's humid weather. The noodles are dressed in fragrant perilla oil, with a gentle heat from Korean red peppers. A sprinkle of toasted perilla seeds and fresh perilla leaves adds texture.
Classic Bibimbap, $22.90
If you wanna keep things healthy and simple, try the colourful Bibimbap served with julienned veggies, beef and an egg yolk.
Grand opening promotion
From July 26-28, diners who order either the signature Galbi or Bossam will snag a complimentary plate of Chogye-Nangchae ($18.90), a refreshing cold dish of shredded chicken and vegetables. The offer is limited to one redemption per table, for dine-in customers only.
Gwangjang Gaon opens on 16 July at #02-243 Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Boulevard, S819666. Open daily 11am-10pm. More info via Instagram.
Photos: Gwangjang Gaon
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