Official / Local Name옥과면
Region / ProvinceSouth Jeolla (Gokseong-gun)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates35.2924°N, 127.1407°E · 131 m
Overview
Situated in Gokseong-gun, South Jeolla at 131 m elevation, Okgwa-myeon (옥과면, pop. Official Municipality) is known for its Korean heritage architecture, agricultural valleys, and rotating 5-day markets.
| Official / Local Name | 옥과면 (Okgwa-myeon) |
|---|---|
| Region / Province | South Jeolla · Gokseong-gun |
| Population | Official Municipality |
| Elevation | 131 m above sea level |
| Nearest Rail / Subway Station | Geumji Station (금지역) (14.1 km) |
| Nearby Landmarks & Sights | Kwanŭm-sa (8.7 km) · Torim-sa (10.9 km) · Yonghwasa (용화사) (13.6 km) · Ilgwangsa (일광사) (14.1 km) |
| Local Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas | Okkwa-ri (1.8 km), Yujŏng-ni (3.7 km), Hapkang-ni (4.6 km), Ch’angjŏng-ni (4.6 km), Panwŏl-li (4.7 km) |
| Neighboring Municipalities | Pungsan-myeon (풍산면) (4.2 km) · Gyeom-myeon (겸면) (5.7 km) · Ip-myeon (입면) (6.2 km) · Geumgwa-myeon (금과면) (6.7 km) · Osan-myeon (오산면) (7.2 km) |
Getting There & Local Transit
Nearest rail/transit hub: Geumji Station (금지역) (14.1 km). KTX Honam & Jeolla Lines to Mokpo, Naju, Suncheon, and Yeosu Expo stations. Tap a nationwide T-money card on local buses and subways, and search "옥과면" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.
What to See & Do
- Kwanŭm-sa (8.7 km) — Okgwa-myeon (옥과면)
- Torim-sa (10.9 km) — Okgwa-myeon (옥과면)
- Yonghwasa (용화사) (13.6 km) — Okgwa-myeon (옥과면)
- Ilgwangsa (일광사) (14.1 km) — Okgwa-myeon (옥과면)
Local Food & Regional Specialties
- Hearty regional 국밥 (Gukbap rice soup) and handmade 칼국수 (Kalguksu knife-cut noodles) simmered with anchovy, radish, and seasonal greens from South Jeolla.
- Charcoal-grilled local pork belly (Samgyeopsal), marinated short ribs (Galbi), and savory 해물파전 (scallion and seafood pancakes) served at family-run 식당 (Sikdang, ₩9,000–₩16,000).
- Earthenware-aged 된장 (Doenjang soybean paste) and 고추장 (Gochujang), sun-dried regional produce, traditional 한과 (Hangwa rice sweets), and local brewery 생막걸리 (unpasteurized draft Makgeolli).
- Locals gather for weekday 백반 (Baekban home-style lunch sets, ₩9,000–₩12,000) where every table receives 6–10 complimentary refillable banchan side dishes, and browse the traditional 5-day market (오일장) for seasonal harvest specialties. Across Okgwa-myeon (pop. 12,000) in Gokseong-gun, neighborhood alleys combine family-run soup and BBQ spots with modern Korean bakery-cafes.
Best Time to Visit
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. South Jeolla → · 3,651 All Cities →