Restaurant Review: Bondiso, an Artistic Fusion

Reviewed by Melline Galani

Often compared with Seoul’s Bukchon Village, Yangnim-dong never ceases to amaze. Its narrow streets filled with coffee shops and art galleries are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Its Penguin Village, recently redecorated and expanded, invites guests to discover concealed treasures in the simplest objects.

Every time I visit Yangnim-dong, I discover something new, either an art gallery, a coffee shop, or a restaurant. This was the case with Bondiso. This restaurant is not that easy to find. Situated on a narrow street with no car access and close to the Han Heewon Museum, it does not impress much at its entrance. An old-style house with just a name on it is not that inviting to dine in. But once you get inside, a whole new atmosphere greets its customers.

Bondiso is a Korean fusion-style restaurant that serves pastas, salads, and meat dishes. Its menu has a limited number of dishes, but they are worth every penny. As I mentioned above, the restaurant is situated in an old house with rustic decor, ornamented with a kind of sterilized hanok design on the outside but with flamboyant European touches on the inside. It has the atmosphere of a Southeast Asian restaurant, yet it reminds me of some small restaurants in Europe. Bondiso’s unique menu matches perfectly with the distinctive decorated interior, but what I like the most is the outdoor garden decorated in a very romantic spirit. This is where I always prefer to eat if the weather permits.

The staff is friendly, and for those who come for the first time, they kindly explain the menu and the signature dishes, probably because Bondiso’s menu is written in a particular manner and their dishes have special flavors that people do not expect to find when ordering. However, the menu is also in English, and I found it very easy to understand. After ordering the meal, a small appetizer consisting of homemade yogurt with fruits is offered on the house. On my visits to Bondiso, I have tried different pasta dishes, including their sweet pumpkin cream with baguette and one of the meat offerings. The roast pork had a soft texture, and it went really well with the sides; it came with grain flakes, grilled vegetables, and potatoes mixed together to increase the flavor. I had never seen such a unique association.

The pastas were all delicious, even the simplest tomato sauce spaghetti. The prices for the pasta dishes range between 13,000 and 16,000 won, the meat orders are 20,500 won (roast pork) and 24,000 won, while the sweet pumpkin cream with baguette costs only 5,000 won. The restaurant also serves wine, coffee, and other beverages.

While in Yangnim-dong, Bondiso is a must-eat restaurant. Well known among Koreans, it awaits its customers with a special atmosphere, tempting them with exotic fusion dishes never before encountered in the City of Light.

Photographs by Melline Galani.

Melline Galani is a Romanian enthusiast, born and raised in the capital city of Bucharest, who is currently living in Gwangju. She likes new challenges, learning interesting things, and is incurably optimistic. She loves living life as it is. @melligalanis

BONDISO (번디소)

29-2 Yangchon-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju

광주 동구 양촌길 29-2 (양림동) Operating Hours: 11:30–21:00 (break time 14:30–17:00) Phone: 062-444-1661 @bondi_so