One of the oldest Korean restaurants in Kuwait, Koryokwan is now called Korea Gwan. Don’t know why they changed it, maybe because nobody could remember the name Koryokwan? I know I couldn’t. They also gave the interior a bit of a facelift although I think the new lights are too bright. I didn’t see anything new in the menu though but it’s been given a facelift as well.
On a side note, I just spotted their very old original logo on their instagram account (pictured below) and it looks very familiar. There used to be a Korean restaurant on mezzanine 2 of Salhiya in the 80s and I remember they had a very similar logo outside the restaurant but don’t think they’re the same restaurant.
From what I know, Koryokwan was opened by Mr Kim in 1989, just before the Gulf War. Mr Kim was the General Secretary of the Boxing Federation in Korea and was then brought to Kuwait by Sheikh Fahad Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to coach the Kuwait boxing team back in 1982.
Mr Kim (in yellow) helped Kuwait win two bronze medals at the Asian games and later helped train the Kuwaiti police and army. After leaving boxing in 1988 he teamed up with Carlton Hotel to open up Koryokwan. In 1991 after the Gulf War he got into a disagreement with Carlton and they split ways. He ended up opening a super trippy hair accessories store while someone else teamed up with Carlton to run Koryokwan. A completely random story which you can read in more detail here.
Korea Gwan is open daily from 10AM to 9:30PM. They’re also on Instagram @koreagwan_kuwait
18 replies on “Koryokwan is now Korea Gwan”
Im surprised you didn’t find a way to segue into the ban on expats 60 years and over. That must’ve been difficult for you.
There isn’t a ban anymore.
Ah, that explains it. Its also not surprising that you complained so much about the ban but didn’t bother to post about the ban being lifted.
I’m not a news channel so if you want to stay up to date with the latest you need to follow a channel like @kuwaitnews or @alqabas
No, I understand that you’re not a news channel. Its just that not posting about the ban being lifted after complaining about it so much to your readers really tells a lot about you as a person, thats all.
Firstly lets be clear, by complaining about it “so much” you’re referring to this 1 single post I did: https://248am.com/mark/kuwait/deporting-skilled-expats-over-60-years-old/
Secondly not posting about the ban being lifted says nothing about me as a person so stop being such a drama queen. You really need to take down the level of soap opera, this isn’t a news blog it’s an opinion blog simple as that.
No, I was referring to this other one
https://248am.com/mark/food/grills-icecream-and-tea/
Don’t get the wrong idea, its completely fine to be forgetful.
Do you know how ridiculous you sound complaining about the fact that I over supported an important cause?
The ban is still ongoing nothing has been lifted so far as far as i know.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/kd-2000-fee-for-residents-aged-60-to-renew-iqama/
you seem like someone quite happy with the ban and the deportation of families, that infact says alot about you as a person.
Koryo is where the present name Korea originated from…
The guy in the front row, second from left, resembles Lionel Richie.
Hahaha! Right!
Mark any news about Mr. Kim? Is he still running his little shop?
No he closed down his shop a couple of years back and his old Chevy caprice car is no longer under his apartment building so I think he left kuwait
the food and service still rocks, in fact just went there a couple of days ago. totally worth it.
Is there a samgyeopsal here ?