Namdo Cuisine Comes to Japanese Homes... "The Solitary Gourmet" Star Tours Jeonnam

Visits six cities and counties across Jeonnam, sampling Naju gomtang and Muan straw-fire-roasted meat

A comprehensive look at Namdo food culture, including stories from culinary masters

One-hour special to air December 16 on Japan's RKB Mainichi Broadcasting

Yutaka Matsushige, star of the popular Japanese drama "The Solitary Gourmet," will sample Jeonnam dishes such as Naju gomtang and Muan straw-fire-roasted meat, introducing the region's food culture to Japanese viewers.

Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City announced on November 13 that it is producing a documentary special on Namdo cuisine featuring Matsushige. The one-hour documentary is scheduled to air on Japan's RKB Mainichi Broadcasting on December 16.

Yutaka Matsushige, star of the hit Japanese TV drama "The Solitary Gourmet," will visit six locations in Jeonnam to introduce the region's food culture to Japan. Provided by Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City.

Matsushige, known for playing a protagonist who visits restaurants alone to enjoy their food, will visit traditional markets, long-established restaurants, and the workplaces of culinary masters in six cities and counties across Jeonnam for the special.

Matsushige will visit Naju Moksa-goeul Market and a gomtang restaurant. In Damyang, he will meet masters of traditional jang, traditional liquor, and hangwa, and sample tteokgalbi and bamboo-leaf ice cream. In Gangjin, he will introduce Dalbit Hanok Village and Cheongjagol Hanjeongsik and try making gat kimchi. The program will also feature Haenam sweet potato bread, Yeongam Dokcheon octopus, and Muan straw-fire-roasted meat.

As he samples local dishes, the documentary will highlight the characteristics of a Namdo meal, prepared with seasonal ingredients and a variety of side dishes, and share the personal stories of the masters who have carried on these culinary traditions.

Filming will continue through November 16.

The documentary was planned as part of the "2026 Commercialization of Namdo Hansang Products in Collaboration with Renowned Houses and Culinary Masters" project, one of the initiatives under the Southern Region's Regional Tourism Development Project. Gwangju Special City plans to continue promoting the region in Japan through the broadcaster's official YouTube channel and other platforms, and to turn interest in Namdo cuisine into actual visits.

Choi Youngju, head of the Tourism Bureau at Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, said, "Yutaka Matsushige's visit will serve as a catalyst for vividly conveying to Japan the value of Jeonnam's ingredients and its traditions of family lineages and culinary masters. We will work to attract tourists and revitalize the local economy by strengthening ties with popular content."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.