Chuseok souvenir walnut pastries and americano in Gyeongju: Buja Hodu

Whenever I visit Gyeongju, I always used to buy Gyeongju-bbang (traditional red bean pastry) as a souvenir, but these days when I want a Gyeongju gift set, I go for Buja Hodu, a famous dessert spot on Hwangnidan-gil! These are healthy, tasty walnut pastries made with 100% rice flour, each with a whole walnut baked right in ✨

Where is Buja Hodu on Hwangnidan-gil, and what are its hours?

Buja Hodu is a walnut pastry takeout shop located at 38 Poseok-ro 1095beon-gil, B-dong 105-ho, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, right on Hwangnidan-gil. It's open daily 09:30–20:00, and the Hwangnidan-gil public parking lot is recommended.

Buja Hodu is just as hot a Hwangnidan-gil dessert spot as Gyeongju-bbang these days, and since it's right on Hwangnidan-gil, it's easy to stop by while wandering around.

It's a takeout-only place, but there are outdoor tables in front where you can sit for a bit. The most memorable part was the friendly owner ❤️ I stopped by to pick up Chuseok holiday gifts, and even though the shop was really busy, they greeted me with a big smile.

What walnut pastry flavors does Buja Hodu make?

There were more flavors than I expected, so I spent a moment deciding what to pick. There's the classic low-sugar red bean, nutty pea cream cheese, matcha with a mild bitterness, and almond praline too!

They also have coffee and traditional Korean drinks that go well with the walnut pastries, and since I'd heard great things about the americano, I ordered one!

I used to think walnut pastries only came in the basic red bean flavor, but since there were so many options, I decided to get a 24-piece mix gift set so I could try a variety.

The gift box itself is so classy 🎁 It really looks like a proper gift set, so you can carry it as is and it still feels respectful.

What's in Buja Hodu's 24-piece mix, and how much does it cost?

Buja Hodu makes its healthy desserts using 100% domestic rice dough and low-sugar red bean paste. That's why a lot of reviews say people who don't usually like sweets, or older relatives, enjoy them too!

The 24-piece mix I bought was: 6 red bean + 6 pea cream cheese + 6 matcha + choice of 1 flavor, with the 6-piece set priced at 27,000 won. I chose 6 more red bean :)

Red bean walnut pastry: a whole walnut inside

⭐️ Red bean flavor. The most classic option that everyone likes! When you cut the pastry in half, you can see the walnut in the center — not crushed bits, but a big whole walnut, so the nutty flavor and texture really come through in the first bite! The americano has low acidity with a nutty, fragrant roast, so it pairs really well with the dessert.

Matcha walnut pastry: thick, rich matcha paste

⭐️ Matcha flavor. The subtle matcha aroma and thick, rich matcha paste make this one really appealing 🌿 The rice-flour shell of the pastry is really thin, and as you can see in the photo, it's packed full of paste and walnut inside, giving it a heavier, more flavorful bite!

Pea cream cheese walnut pastry: better eaten cold

⭐️ Pea cream cheese flavor. A similar color to the matcha! The nutty pea paste combined with smooth cream cheese was really delicious, and it was even better when eaten cold. Personally, if you're looking for a slightly different combination, I'd recommend the pea cream cheese.

Unlike regular walnut pastries with chopped-up walnut bits, these have fresh, high-quality whole walnuts inside, which makes them great for holiday gifts, thank-you gifts, or a Gyeongju souvenir gift set.

When picking a food souvenir, taste matters, but so does how neat the packaging looks, right? Buja Hodu neatly arranges the premium-grade walnut pastries in a gift box, which I really appreciated.

Can you order Buja Hodu walnut pastries online for delivery?

If it's hard to visit the shop in person, or you have too much luggage while traveling and want it delivered, you can buy the same set on Naver Smart Store. It's a famous dessert spot on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju, so if you visit, definitely try it ✨