Gwangju Italian restaurant family dinner: Margherita, Bueokgan

We came here for a family gathering, and the pizza quality was so excellent that all three of us unanimously said it was a restaurant we wanted to revisit.

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch for a family gathering

There were three of us, including my parents, and we were visiting for a family gathering. It is right next to Mudeung Church and across from Seogwangju Station; there is plenty of parking, including along the main road.

Spacious, private-feeling seating

The space is very large, and the high ceiling really creates an atmosphere. The round table was as roomy as a six-person table, while the semicircular sofa made it cozy and private.

The table is unusual, right? It was incredibly comfortable! Even though there were many people, the tables were quite far apart, so it was nice to have an intimate conversation. There is also an entirely separate, quiet private room.

Even the plates were not made in China, and they were using gorgeous cutlery in the ₩70,000 range. Apparently it was D&D Roma cutlery—my mom, a total home-living enthusiast, recognized it at once, which was amazing...

They also had chairs for babies. Lots of people seemed to be using them. When I visited, I saw around two or three people using them, haha.

A varied selection, from jambon dishes to wine

The menu is varied and trendy. There are dishes using jambon, which is popular these days, as well as classic staples across a range of prices.

There were four categories in total—red wine, white wine, rosé & sparkling wine, and Champagne—with prices from ₩35,000 to ₩350,000, so you could order according to your budget or the mood. There were also quite a lot of wines below ₩50,000. I counted more than 10, then it became too hard to keep scrolling, so I could not photograph them all. The kiosk also shows remaining quantities, so you can check stock before ordering!

We ordered four dishes and two drinks in total, and even joined the review event!

Lasagna and wood-fired basil Margherita pizza

Lasagna

The seasoning had soaked nicely into the characteristically broad pasta sheets. It was based on ragù Bolognese sauce, with lots of meat and a clean, rich flavor. The cheese was real natural cheese too, not imitation cheese. This food connoisseur guarantees it.

Basil Margherita pizza

The pizza crust was wood-fired, so it had wonderful flavor. The tomato marinade and basil pesto were fresh, and the arugula was fresh too, making it clean and light to eat. You can add Tabasco, but it is much tastier as it is.

Spicy seafood tomato pasta and salad

Seafood tomato pasta

It was spicier than expected—about as hot as Shin Ramyun. A pleasantly spicy pasta full of large shrimp. The peperoncino flavor had seeped nicely into the clam broth, giving it a smooth but spicy kick that was exactly to Korean tastes! It had the feel of hangover pasta, and the seasoning was just right. An enormous green mussel was placed on top.

Salad

A salad topped with finely grated cheese and prosciutto. Its subtle sweetness and fresh dressing woke up the appetite just enough. It was my first time having a salad with prosciutto, and perhaps because it was sliced thinly, it was a combination that went well with the salad.

Review-event pastry and fresh-pressed-style drinks

Pistachio pastry

Inside the pastry was a nutty pistachio flavor, somewhat like a maple pastry. Unlike how it looks, it had a soft pie-like texture, and since it was a texture I had never tried before, I recommend joining the review event and trying it.

Single Grapefruit and Single Orange

They were not sweet and tasted like freshly pressed juice. There was almost no carbonation and the sugar level was not high. The flavor was natural rather than intense. Personally, I would have liked just a little more sweetness.

Kind service and a meal the whole family loved

We cleaned every plate!

The service was also very kind, with the dishes set down carefully. I was surprised that the review event included a snack that children would enjoy. The prices are not exactly low, but considering the quality and the restaurant atmosphere, I think it is excellent value!

They made every dish enjoyable right to the last bite, so it was an extremely satisfying meal for the first time in a while! My family even praised me for finding such a good restaurant!

It was one of the best places I have visited recently.