STORY
one mountain, two neighborhoods—three names for drinking in Gwangju
From Mudeungsan’s grand name to Bia-dong’s everyday bottle and a small bottle from Dongmyeong-dong, follow different flavors to see how Gwangju’s place names remain in drink.
- Mountain
- Mudeungsan
- Neighborhood
- Bia-dong
- Brewery location
- Dongmyeong-dong
- Reviewed
- 2026-08-30
Stand up three bottles of Gwangju makgeolli (a Korean fermented rice drink), and the scale of the city changes. Mudeungsan Rice Makgeolli brings in the mountain overlooking the city; Bia Rice Makgeolli, one neighborhood; and Kkumui Daehwa, a small brewing space in Dongmyeong-dong. The names summon places, while the flavors scatter in different directions.
Masillog travel note · Layering place names in the glass
Masillog travel note — Write the names of the three bottles in a notebook and set the evening’s order: first, a refreshing glass that wakes the palate; next, quiet sweetness; last, a small glass whose fruit-like aroma resolves into a soft finish. This is not field reporting of an actual route, but a Masillog travel scene assembled from public flavor and place information.
Behind the names · Mudeungsan and jinsan
The Korea National Park Service presents Mudeungsan as the jinsan of Gwangju and Jeonnam—a mountain traditionally regarded as the symbolic guardian of a region. Its name is also explained as either “an incomparably tall and large mountain” or “a mountain too noble to rank.” When the great mountain’s name appears on a 750ml everyday bottle, a symbol of Gwangju descends toward the dinner table.
Masillog tasting note · three names, three flavor directions
A 2023 report describes Mudeungsan Rice Makgeolli as tart and refreshing, with natural fermentation-derived carbonation and umami. A 2024 cultural record describes Bia as subtly sweet, with carbonation developing 2–3 days after production when stored cold. For Kkumui Daehwa, the producer describes a fruit-like aroma, rice sweetness and umami, and a lightly bitter finish.
Food pairing · If all three bottles shared one table
Pair tart, refreshing Mudeungsan with egg-coated yukjeon (pan-fried battered beef); subtly sweet, carbonated Bia with a crisp-edged jeon; and Kkumui Daehwa—with its fruit-like aroma, rice umami, and soft finish—with soy-seasoned grilled meat. These are Masillog editorial suggestions based on published flavor descriptions, not official pairings.
Before the trip · In Dongmyeong-dong
Kkum Brewery is listed at 18-15 Donggyecheon-ro 95beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju. Experience and tasting programs and operating hours may change, so confirm current details before visiting.
Sources
- Gwangju Culture, Arts and Humanities Story Platform, “Mudeungsan Rice Makgeolli” Confirmed 2026-08-30. Product-name origin and specifications in a 2024 cultural record.
- Gwangju Culture, Arts and Humanities Story Platform, “Bia Rice Makgeolli” Confirmed 2026-08-30. Product name derived from Bia-dong and a secondary flavor record (a 2nd-hand source).
- Korea National Park Service, “Mudeungsan National Park” Confirmed 2026-08-30. Jinsan description, national-park designation, and two explanations of the name.
- Kkum Brewery, “Kkumui Daehwa Takju 10%” Confirmed 2026-08-30. Producer specifications and flavor description.
- Korea Tourism Organization, “Kkum Brewery” Confirmed 2026-08-30. Dongmyeong-dong address and brewing and tasting activities; current operations require reconfirmation.
- OhmyNews, “Whiskey for a Highball? Try This in Gwangju and You May Think Differently” Confirmed 2026-08-30. A 2023 report describing Mudeungsan Rice Makgeolli’s fermentation-derived carbonation, umami, and tart, refreshing profile.