jblife-summer-2020-screen

Travel Wish List
IKSAN
Iksan has been gaining attention as of late
because of its interesting cafes, traditional
food spots, and foreigner favorites.
A SUBURBAN
GETAWAY
A SMALL CITY WITH BIG SURPRISES
Words & Photos by BREE DUNN
Iksan is a suburban area near
Jeonju, often overlooked by the
flashier, much larger cities nearby.
With unfamiliar territory, it can be
hard to break into the groove of a place
and figure out what clicks. Plus, humans
are creatures of habit and much prefer
going to areas that they have been to,
heard about, or have a connection with.
But, with freedom around the corner, you
can spend less than 3,000 won to travel to
Iksan and get respite from the suffocating
indoors, crowded places, and fast-paced
environments. Additionally, Iksan has
been gaining attention as of late because
of its interesting cafes, traditional food
spots, and foreigner favorites.
The list of noteworthy cafes is climbing,
with a special shoutout to Ordo and Arera.
While different in a lot of ways, both
incorporate elements of nature inside.
Ordo is run by a couple where they mix
modern elements with new aged touches
that make the place feel equally classic
and mod. They have a main open area
built for many people to sit and also
have a small lounge area with couches
and individual chairs. In one of the rooms
are a bunch of small chairs and mirrors
covered on a bed of wood shavings,
giving the feeling that you are at a sci-fi
backyard party. Then comes Arera, a large,
simple, and neutral space, with beautiful
wooden furniture and servingware. It’s not
the relaxing environment, scenic view, or
tasty desserts that make it so special, but
the fact that it has a giant wooden swing
right in the middle of the cafe!
As for the foreign favorites, it was to
my delight that there was a Popeyes, a
famous Louisiana chicken chain from
North America, right next to the train
station. This is one of the better fastfood
restaurants that are hard to come
by in Korea. Then, there is an underrated
brunch spot named Apilco, on the first
floor of a famous local wedding hall.
They serve classics such as, pancakes,
french toast, and fresh salads.
As for traditional food, Jinmi restaurant
has been passed down from generation
to generation, serving its signature
Yukhoe Bibimbap. Being that it is so
close to Jeonju, it has created friendly
competition between the two places.
The fact that people travel outside of
the food capital to try it, says a lot.
Iksan has flown under the radar for most
visitors traveling to Jeollabuk-do, but it’s
a place of character, delicious food, and
remarkable cafes. It’s a place where you
might have to look a little bit harder
to find the magic, but once you do, you
will understand why so many locals and
visitors make their way back.
23