Foreigner Mart: Indonesian Food

Few people would visit Pyeong-dong without a reason. Stepping out of the most western station on Gwangju’s subway line, a wayward explorer might look around, see the endless sprawl of factories, and turn back around to catch the next train to civilization. However, anyone doing so would miss out on a number of attractions, including what may be the only taste of Indonesian food in Gwangju. The neighborhood may be bit of a trek, but it is worth it.

Atmosphere and Service

Foreigner Mart is a combination restaurant and market, so expect the interior to be simple, but clean. The menus are located at the front counter, where you place your order. If you are unfamiliar with Indonesian food, the menus have pictures along with dish names written in English and Hangeul. Most dishes are 6,000 won and drinks are 2,500 won. The service is fast and direct.  After your meal, you can browse the market to stock up on hard-to-find spices, curry mixes or a few bottles of Filipino brandy.

Food

Most of the dishes on the menu feature different kinds of meat or fish paired with a fried egg on rice. We ordered the nasi rendang, or spicy stewed beef, and the nasi goreng ayam, the fried chicken. For drinks, we tried susu kelapa muda and jahe susu. Of these, the susu kelapa muda was the best, with a slightly toasty coconut taste that was really refreshing. The jahe susu was a warm, slightly spiced milk drink that was good, but a little too sweet.

The nasi rendang was exceptionally tender and heavy, with that mix of spices that makes Indonesian food so remarkable. The nasi goreng ayam was a wonderfully crispy fried chicken leg that was missing the heavy batter one normally finds on similar dishes. Instead, the star here was the perfectly crisp skin and moist meat, crunchy without being greasy. The spicy fried rice with bok choi worked well with the lightly seasoned chicken. This reviewer’s only complaint was that the eggs topping the rice were cooked over hard rather than having nice, runny yolks. However, both were topped with fried garlic chips, which were delicious.

Directions

Take Exit 3 out of Pyeongdong Station. Turn left and walk until you reach the intersection. There is a GS25 across the street, with Foreigner Mart on the third floor above GS25. Just look for the sign advertising “Good food/Rest room.”

Address: 광주광역시광산구옥동 1238번지 3층 / 1238 3F Ok-dong Gwangsan-gu Gwangju

Tel: 062 962 6963

Hours: Daily 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Bus: 700 (Pyeongdong Station Stop) 93 (Pyeongdong Station (Buk))

Subway: Pyeongdong Station Exit 3