Guri names 9 restaurants as top dining destinations for 2026

Guri held a certificate presentation ceremony Friday at the Guri Women's Happiness Center to officially designate its top-rated restaurants for 2026.

Nine establishments were selected this year as outstanding restaurants representing Guri — known locally as "Waguri Matjip": Udon Kinoya, Damga Charcoal Grill Guri Topyeong, Illietto, Gilmok Gamjatang, Bongdam Shabu Shabu Kalguksu, Oh's Naengmyeon Mandu, Yu Doctor Gopchang, Seoul Maeuntang and Jangmi Hanu. Seoul Maeuntang received the additional distinction of being designated a "nopo sikdang," or long-established traditional restaurant, in recognition of its enduring heritage and deep roots in the community.

The city selected the restaurants through a rigorous process combining on-site assessments of food quality, hygiene, facilities and service with a survey of resident preferences. It aims to build a dining environment that residents can trust and to raise the overall standard of local food culture.

The "Waguri Matjip" and "nopo sikdang" designation programs identify, respectively, the city's finest restaurants and those long beloved by local residents. Guri has run both programs since 2023 to invigorate the local economy and strengthen the competitiveness of the dining industry.

"Because experts and residents participated directly in a rigorous selection process, I hope the designated restaurants take great pride in representing Guri as its finest dining destinations," Guri Mayor Shin Dong-hwa said. "We will continue to energize the dining industry through diverse promotion and support, and nurture the flavors and traditions of our region into competitive cultural and tourism assets as we build a 'bold, brilliant Guri.'"

The city plans to conduct regular re-evaluations and provide tailored support to continuously strengthen the credibility of its designated restaurants both locally and beyond.