Gijang outlet restaurant after a drive: high-protein pilaf, Bueokgan

We took a drive out to Gijang in Busan and stopped at Busan Premium Outlets for some shopping. Before we knew it, it was lunchtime, and after wondering what to eat, we went to Bueokgan (부엌간) at the outlets, which lots of people seem to visit.

Bueokgan at Busan Premium Outlets: opening hours and visitor info

Bueokgan at Busan Premium Outlets is open 10:30-20:30, with last order at 20:00. Groups and reservations are welcome too.

Where to park for Bueokgan at Busan Premium Outlets

Just use the Busan Shinsegae Premium Outlets parking lot. There was plenty of space.

Where is Bueokgan? Unit 180, first floor of the outlets' old building

The address is 1133 Jeonggwan-ro, Unit 180, 1st floor, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, in the old building of the Shinsegae Premium Outlets in Gijang. It's a handy restaurant to drop into after shopping.

The window is marked 180, so it was easy to find.

The exotic exterior, reminiscent of a small European village, is the first thing to catch your eye. Elegant stone walls and red brick give it a classic feel, and the big "BUUK" sign makes it easy to spot from far away.

Bueokgan interior and seating

The restaurant felt clean and modern overall. The tables were spaced comfortably so it didn't feel cramped, and it looked good for families, couples or friends.

It was early when I took these photos, so there were no customers, but once lunchtime hit it filled up fast.

High ceilings and soft lighting make the space extra cozy, and the wooden tables and bench seats feel warm and comfortable. Bright and clean overall, it felt like a nice place to rest and enjoy a good meal after shopping.

Bueokgan menu prices and how to order at the table kiosk

You order at the kiosk on each table, which is convenient. A few menu items and prices are below, and there are plenty of other tasty options too.

• Pumpkin soup ₩8,000
• Pepperoni pizza ₩17,000
• Shrimp pasta ₩18,000
• Carbonara ₩18,000
• Abalone cream risotto ₩20,000
• Chicken pilaf ₩22,000

That day we ordered three dishes: the chicken pilaf, the abalone cream risotto and the basil pesto cream pasta.

The food looked delicious just sitting there. The moment it arrived, it felt like fresh ingredients had been used, and the plating was neat and great for photos.

How does Bueokgan's abalone cream risotto taste?

The abalone cream risotto was the first thing we tried. The rich abalone innards sauce, the cream and the abalone meat went really well together.

It wasn't heavy-handed but still full of flavor, and with every bite the natural taste of the ingredients came through.

Eating the enoki mushroom tempura on top together with the risotto soaked in sauce was so nutty and had a great texture.

Made with abalone innards sauce, the risotto fills your mouth with deep, rich flavor of the sea from the first bite. The nutty, subtle savoriness of the innards blends with the cream sauce for a fantastic taste.

The chewy grains of rice soaked up plenty of sauce and got nuttier the more I chewed, and the tender abalone and mushrooms made the texture satisfying too. If you like the scent of the sea, this is a must-try.

Bueokgan's signature basil pesto cream pasta

This Gijang Western restaurant has an incredible variety of pastas on the menu. What we ordered was the basil pesto cream pasta.

The noodles were cooked to a nice texture, and the sauce coated them evenly so you can enjoy it to the very last bite.

Break the poached egg and toss it with the arugula and cream. The basil pesto cream pasta, Bueokgan's signature dish, looks appetizing from the first glance.

The yolk blends naturally into the cream sauce, making the flavor even richer, and the subtle herbal aroma of the basil pesto pairs perfectly with the nuttiness of the cream.

The fresh scent and light bitterness of the arugula cut through the cream sauce, which could otherwise get heavy, so it never gets tiring to the last bite.

The chewy noodles soak up the rich sauce and get deeply savory the more you chew, and the nutty cheese fills your mouth with even more flavor.

One taste and you understand right away why it's considered a signature dish. It's so well made that I'd recommend ordering it if you're having Western food in Gijang.

Kung pao chicken pilaf: a high-protein lunch at Bueokgan

Next is the chicken pilaf I ordered, since I've been into high-protein meals lately.

Bueokgan's kung pao chicken pilaf is an Asian-style dish where a salty, mildly spicy kung pao sauce adds deep savoriness to the fried rice. The nutty stir-fried rice soaks up the sauce evenly and gets more savory the more you chew, and a subtle wok aroma adds depth.

The chicken, roasted golden in the oven, is nicely browned outside and moist and tender inside, so the moment you bite in, rich juices fill your mouth.

I've been obsessed with chicken lately and love chicken dishes, so I was really happy with such big pieces.

Bite into a thick piece like this and the juices spread, with the clean, natural flavor of chicken coming through. It stays moist to the end with no dryness, and eaten with the fried rice it pairs perfectly with the salty kung pao sauce, making every bite richer and deeper.

The balance between the mild oven-roasted chicken and the spicy-salty fried rice is excellent. It's a filling meal that people of all ages can enjoy.

Verdict: is Bueokgan a good lunch after shopping at Busan Premium Outlets?

If you're looking for a good Western restaurant in Gijang, or wondering where to have lunch after shopping at Busan Premium Outlets, Bueokgan at the outlets should be a very satisfying choice.