Ilgwang sunset restaurant with rosé pasta and bacon steak: Riverside

Where is Riverside in Ilgwang, Gijang?

Riverside is a Western-style restaurant at 582-44 Ilgwang-ro, Ilgwang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, right in front of Sinpyeong Small Park. It's open daily from 10:30 to 20:30, and both parking and reservations are available.

We went for a drive to get some fresh air in Gijang and, while looking for a good pasta place, ended up at Riverside. Whenever we head toward Gijang, we naturally look for somewhere with an ocean view, and Riverside sits right by the sea with pasta and steak on the menu too, so we decided to check it out.

When we arrived, the building was bigger than expected, and there was a wide parking area out front.

Riverside's grass terrace and ocean view at sunset

In front of the Riverside building there's a spacious grassy outdoor area with several tables set up, and the sea is visible right across the street, so it seemed like a lovely spot to spend time outdoors on a nice day. When we visited, the sun was slowly going down, and as the lights came on one by one, the atmosphere got even better.

What is the dining room at Riverside like?

Stepping inside Riverside, the wood tones mixed with brick made for an overall cozy atmosphere.

It wasn't overly decorated, more warm and comfortable, which made it nice for a slow meal and conversation.

Looking at the tables, each cup held a single fresh flower — a small detail that showed how carefully the owner takes care of things. It wasn't over-styled, but having fresh flowers on the table quietly added atmosphere and looked great too.

Near the entrance there were Blue Ribbon 2025 and 2026 stickers, so even though it was our first visit, we got a little more excited about the food haha.

What two people ordered at Riverside, plus the bread course

Looking at Riverside's menu, there was a wide range from pasta to risotto to steak, and for the two of us we ordered rosé pasta and bacon steak.

While we waited, pre-meal bread came out — warm, freshly baked bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic added a savory, tangy touch that was great for whetting our appetite before the mains arrived.

Ordering one pasta and one steak meant the dishes didn't overlap, and it was a good combination for sharing between the two of us.

Riverside's rosé pasta: thick sauce with big shrimp

As soon as Riverside's rosé pasta arrived, the big shrimp stood out, and there was plenty of sauce. Rather than a thin rosé sauce, it was thick and smooth, so the sauce clung well to the noodles. You could really taste that signature soft rosé flavor, and it wasn't heavy or greasy even after eating a lot of it — really good.

The shrimp were plump and big, so eating them with the pasta noodles gave a nice texture, and there were mushrooms mixed in too, which were nice to have alongside. Personally, I prefer rosé pasta with a somewhat thick sauce rather than a watery one, and this suited my taste well.

Whole bacon steak with a house salad side

The bacon steak had a nicely seared, appetizing surface, and came with roasted vegetables like potato, mushroom, and tomato, which were great to eat alongside it.

On the menu, the whole bacon steak let you choose a side, and we went with the house salad. Pairing the thick-cut bacon with the salad made it nice to cleanse the palate in between bites.

Adding a bit of wholegrain mustard on top paired well with the bacon, and eating the roasted vegetables along the way was nicer than sticking to just one flavor. We took turns having a bite of rosé pasta and then bacon steak, and going back and forth worked really well. The soft, thick rosé pasta sauce and the thick, well-seared bacon steak matched better than I expected, and it was filling enough for the two of us. It was our first visit and our picks, but we were happy with both.

Is Riverside worth a stop on a Gijang coastal drive?

The food was good, but Riverside's location and atmosphere were what stuck with me most. The outdoor area with the lawn and lights would probably have a whole different charm on a rainy day too.

When I go out for some fresh air, I prefer a place where I can take in the scenery and relax rather than just eat and leave right away, and this place was exactly that. After finishing our meal and stepping outside, the wide lawn and outdoor tables backed by the sea and the glowing lights made it a bit hard to leave right away, haha. Being right by the sea also made it nice for a short walk before or after the meal, and it was a good stop on a Gijang drive course.

It's a good spot for whenever you're craving pasta or steak near the Gijang coast, or want a quiet, unhurried meal while chatting. The food came out clean and well-plated, and combined with the beachfront atmosphere, we went out for fresh air in Gijang and came back having had a great meal too. If we visit again, I'd love to try the signature dishes we missed this time — scallop aglio e olio, abalone myeongnan pasta, and gorgonzola pizza.

If you're looking for somewhere to enjoy a relaxed meal with an ocean view in Gijang and a comfortable atmosphere, I'd recommend giving this place a visit.