Gyeongju walnut pastry shop with a yellow parasol terrace: Buja Hodu

What kind of shop is Buja Hodu on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju?

Buja Hodu is a handmade walnut pastry shop on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju (38 B-dong 105-ho, Poseok-ro 1095beon-gil). It's open from 09:30 to 20:00, every day of the year.

Exterior view

Hey everyone! 🖐️ I went on a trip to Gyeongju, which is super hot right now, and I stumbled on a seriously amazing dessert spot that I couldn't keep to myself. So today I'm sharing my real, first-hand review of a genuinely great dessert place on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju 🏃‍♀️💨 It's a totally different vibe from the walnut pastries you'd grab at a rest stop or on the street — this place nails the taste of the 20s-30s crowd ✨

The storefront and the yellow parasol terrace

Buja Hodu has an outdoor terrace with yellow parasols set up in front of the shop, perfect for sitting down for a light snack on a nice day. Gyeongju's laid-back atmosphere blends with a trendy interior, making the shop stand out even from a distance.

The exterior alone has that full Instagram vibe, so exactly my taste — I found myself snapping photos right away 📸 ☀️

Buja Hodu's menu and what goes into the 24pcs mix

Full menu

The Buja Hodu menu ranges from FRESH PACK all the way to BOX PACKAGING for gifts. I packed up a 24pcs mix this time, and the lineup was genuinely solid — 6 red bean, 6 green pea cream cheese, 6 matcha, and 6 choice 🤤 With so many options, it was fun just picking 📋🎁

What drinks does Buja Hodu serve?

The drink menu had a lineup for every taste — Americano, café latte, passion fruit ade, gold medal apple juice, Bundaberg grapefruit, and more. The Americano here in particular isn't made with regular commercial beans — it's blended and roasted by a Gyeongju coffee master, which raised my expectations even more ☕

How did the 24pcs mix taste?

24pcs Mix

Of all the walnut pastries (hodu-gwaja, walnut-shaped cakes) I've had, Buja Hodu's are the most packed inside, with the biggest walnuts — the definition of crisp outside, soft inside. The moment I opened the box I took home, I actually gasped out loud 🤩 The filling was generous too, so every bite was full of flavor !!!! :)

The rich matcha and the thick, dense green pea cream cheese combo especially felt right on trend — a total hit for the 20s-30s crowd !!!! Paired with the Americano I'd also packed, the flavor balance was spot on.

Is the plain walnut flavor too boring?

The walnut flavor itself was nutty and mild, which I personally found the most comfortable to eat. It wasn't too sweet or artificial-tasting, and the more I chewed, the more the nutty flavor came through — I kept reaching for another.

The walnut's nuttiness and softness blended really well, and it also paired nicely with coffee or tea. At first I worried the walnut flavor alone might be a bit plain, but the flavor turned out richer than expected, and I think even people who don't love sweets would enjoy it. It's great as a light snack or something to grab when you're hungry — a flavor I'd want to buy again!

Storage and reheating tips, plus the verdict on Buja Hodu

Review

Lastly, a few small tips and my overall verdict for anyone visiting 💡 Buja Hodu's walnut pastries taste great at room temperature, but depending on your preference, freezing them slightly or warming them in an air fryer brings out a different charm — worth keeping in mind 🧊

The box packaging looks premium and clean, so it would also be perfect as a Gyeongju trip souvenir or a thank-you gift for friends haha 🎁 If you're tired of the usual desserts on Hwangnidan-gil, I genuinely recommend stopping by Buja Hodu for handmade walnut pastries with a whole different level of quality! 👍✨