Gwangju Sangmu pizza comparison: pepperoni vs basil pesto, Bueokgan

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch: five Western dishes shared in Sangmu, Gwangju

I was looking for somewhere to eat Western food in Sangmu-jigu and ended up at Bueokgan :) This time I went with a group, so instead of just picking one or two dishes, we went all out!! We ordered abalone risotto, shrimp rosé pasta, gnocchi, pepperoni pizza, and basil pizza — since every dish was so different, it was fun trying a bit of everything 🤍

Inside Bueokgan Sangmu Branch: table spacing and reservation seats

The interior of Bueokgan Sangmu Branch was clean overall, and I liked that the tables weren't packed too close together. Maybe that's why there were so many reservation-only seats?

It'd be nice for a date in Sangmu-jigu, but it also had a comfortable vibe for a group ordering several dishes to share. That's exactly what we did that day — ordered a bunch and ate slowly.

The Bueokgan menu: pasta, risotto, gnocchi and pizza

Some Western restaurants these days have a pretty vibe but barely any menu options, but Bueokgan has plenty of choices — pasta, risotto, gnocchi, pizza — so we ate really well that day..!

Cream gnocchi: soft outside, chewy inside

The cream gnocchi at Bueokgan Sangmu Branch was genuinely delicious and the texture was amazing>< Soft on the outside and chewy inside, it was even better with the sauce!

I love gnocchi, so I order it whenever it's on the menu, and this time was no exception 🩵

The sauce was really rich, and the portion was bigger than expected — very satisfying. But it might get a bit much to finish alone, so I'd recommend ordering one to share among a group!

Abalone risotto topped with enoki mushrooms

Bueokgan's abalone risotto is a recommended dish topped with abalone..! The sauce soaks well into the risotto, and eating it with the abalone gives it a great texture too~~!

When I eat Western food, I prefer ordering a rice dish instead of pasta every time, so I really recommend the abalone risotto ❤️ A bite of abalone with a spoonful of risotto together was the best, and the enoki mushrooms on top were chewy and delicious too!

Pepperoni pizza: spicy or mild, your choice

Bueokgan's pepperoni pizza can be ordered spicy or mild, so pick whichever suits your taste! The regular version isn't spicy either, so I'd recommend going with the regular one too~~

Look at that cheese pull!! Salty pepperoni plus all that cheese makes it easy to enjoy without much thought — I was going to order just one type of pizza but got the basil pizza too, and since they tasted completely different, I'm proud I ordered both~~

Basil pesto pizza: how does it differ from the pepperoni?

Bueokgan's basil pizza is clearly different starting with the aroma. If the pepperoni pizza is salty and familiar, the basil pizza has more fragrance so you don't get tired of it!!

Between the two pizzas, the basil one was more to my taste~ If you like the smell of basil, this one's worth trying too!

Shrimp rosé pasta, the favorite dish of the day

Bueokgan's shrimp rosé pasta has the rosé sauce coating the noodles well, and with the shrimp on top, it can't not be good..! The sauce wasn't too runny and went well with the noodles, and there was shrimp throughout, so the texture was great too!

If you asked me to pick one pasta out of everything we ordered, the shrimp rosé was the best!! (My favorite dish at Bueokgan..!)

Is Bueokgan Sangmu Branch worth it for a group meal in Gwangju?

If you're looking for a Western restaurant in Gwangju's Sangmu-jigu that offers more than just pasta — risotto, gnocchi, and pizza too — I recommend Bueokgan! It works for a date, but it's also great for a group wanting to order lots of different dishes. (There were more reservations than I expected, so booking ahead is a must..!)