Gwangju Italian restaurant: pastry soup and baguette at Bueokgan

Parking before heading into Bueokgan Sangmu Branch in Sangmu District

Lately, while looking for somewhere tasty with a nice atmosphere in Sangmu District, I visited Bueokgan Sangmu Branch (부엌간 상무점). The restaurant felt warm and cozy, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed meal, and every dish came out so neatly that it exceeded my expectations. There was such a wide variety on the menu that choosing what to eat was fun, too.

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is on the first floor at 25 Seogwangju-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, South Korea, and is open daily from 11:00 to 22:00.

There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, so I parked there. There was more parking than I expected, so it was perfectly fine to visit by car. Parking was not much of an inconvenience at all.

The exterior was clean overall and had a nice feel. It was easy to spot while passing by, and the entrance was neatly kept, which put me in a good mood even before going in. It blended nicely with the neighborhood, so it felt easy to enter without any pressure. It was a good-looking exterior to photograph, too.

A warm, cozy interior and a varied menu

The table was set neatly with a spoon, fork, and knife on clean white plates. Glasses were ready as well, so the basic place setting looked very tidy. I especially liked the pretty detail on the spoon handles, which suited the table's atmosphere nicely.

Looking at the menu, there was quite a variety, from pasta and steak to many side dishes. Each dish sounded well put together, so picking what to order was enjoyable. There were also wines and drinks that would pair nicely with the food, making it easy to choose according to your taste.

There were options ranging from couple sets to à la carte dishes. Since there were set menus that let you try several items at once, they seemed great for two people visiting together. The prices were also laid out clearly, which made choosing easier.

The interior had a warm, cozy atmosphere overall. The soft lighting felt relaxing, and the tables and chairs were neatly arranged. It was a nice place to eat comfortably and chat. The spacing between tables was also good, so it was easy to take your time over a meal. The atmosphere suited a date or gathering nicely, too.

There was group seating as well, so it would be fine for several people to visit together. The tables were fairly spacious, making them good for dining with a group, and it looked convenient for a family gathering or a meal with friends.

From ade to pastry soup, pasta, and baguette

The grapefruit ade had a lovely balance of tartness and sweetness, while the orange juice tasted clean and citrusy. Both were easy to drink alongside the food, which I liked.

Warm soup was topped with crisp pastry, so it looked appetizing from the start. Cutting the pastry and eating it with the soup brought together the nutty, smooth flavor of the soup and that crisp texture really well. It was nice and warm, making it a good dish to start the meal with.

As soon as the food arrived, the neat plating caught my eye. The dishes were arranged tidily on the plates and came with fresh vegetables, making them look appetizing. The pasta sauce looked nicely incorporated with the noodles, and the noodles looked springy, so I was excited to try it.

I ordered the baguette separately. It was golden and crisp on the outside, while the inside was moist and nutty. Lightly dipping it into the gnocchi sauce made the baguette's simple flavor pair so well with the creamy sauce. Once I started taking bites, I kept reaching for more.

They even gave us peppermint candy at the end, so I left feeling good. It was nice for freshening up after the meal, and that small extra service made the experience pleasant right to the finish.