Maewol-dong, Gwangju Western food for two: abalone risotto, Bueokgan

Where is Bueokgan Sangmu Branch in Maewol-dong, and what is parking like?

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch (부엌간 상무점) is a Western restaurant in Maewol-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, a little way from the busy Sangmu district, between Jjamppong Jijon and the Starbucks Seogwangju Station branch. It has its own parking lot, street parking is allowed at lunchtime, and you can also use the shared lot behind Jjamppong Jijon and the Mudeung Church lot.

• Hours: daily 11:00-22:00
• Break time: 16:00-16:30
• Last order: 21:00
• Bueokgan's own parking lot
• Street parking allowed at lunchtime
• Shared lot behind Jjamppong Jijon available
• Mudeung Church lot available
• Reservations via Naver

I'd noticed how pretty the exterior was whenever I passed by, and it turned out to be Bueokgan Sangmu Branch. I kept thinking I had to go someday, and I finally made it, haha.

It has its own parking lot, which is great for a Maewol-dong restaurant! Just keep going straight a little past Jjamppong Jijon and turn in where you see this sign.

The parking lot is nice and roomy, so no problem if you come by car~

What are the interior and seating like at Bueokgan Sangmu Branch?

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch was designed around the concept of a vintage, classic Italian hotel, and the interior is said to be inspired by the ballroom in the movie Titanic. The atmosphere starts with the lush green exterior, so it feels just right for a brunch outing.

There's vintage furniture and decor that give it a moody feel, and all of the furniture and props are said to be imported directly from Europe.

Isn't it so pretty? It gets lots of sunlight too, so photos come out great.

Inside there are sofa tables like this and tables for larger groups, so I'd also recommend it for group gatherings in Sangmu or a wedding-invitation get-together in Gwangju.

What did the two of us order?

At Bueokgan Sangmu Branch we ordered shrimp rosé pasta (₩20,000), vongole pasta (₩20,000) and abalone cream risotto (₩20,000). To keep it light(?) for two, we got two pastas plus one risotto. You order by tablet and pay on the way out.

The table and tableware are pretty too, so you're already in a good mood before eating.

As someone who loves furniture and decor, I enjoyed looking around every corner while waiting for the food.

The food came out fairly quickly. Everything arrived at once, which is great for taking photos!

Shrimp rosé pasta, vongole pasta and abalone cream risotto. What a delicious-looking spread! A wonderful smell hit us as it arrived, and the smell alone was already amazing~~

Abalone cream risotto (₩20,000): my number-one pick

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch's abalone cream risotto is made with chewy abalone and a cream sauce made from abalone innards, and it's my number-one pick. It comes with roasted enoki mushrooms, and honestly that was a stroke of genius,,,

They go perfectly with the rich, creamy risotto, so I wished I could add extra mushrooms, lol. And I liked that you can actually feel the abalone texture more than I expected. It's cut small, but there feels like a lot of it.

Vongole pasta (₩20,000)

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch's vongole pasta is made with a clam broth and plenty of chewy manila clams.

I already love vongole pasta, and this one suited my taste too. The clam broth soaks in well, so it's savory yet light, and the noodles go great with the chewy clams. There's also minced shrimp in it, haha, so cute.

Shrimp rosé pasta (₩20,000): the best-seller

The shrimp rosé pasta is an appealing creamy rosé pasta with springy shrimp, and it's said to be Bueokgan Sangmu Branch's best-selling dish.

The shrimp are really plump and big. The bouncy texture is so good. The rosé sauce is fresh rather than thick, and with a hint of cheese it isn't heavy, so it's easy to eat.

Is Bueokgan Sangmu Branch worth going back to?

Ordering two pastas was the right call!! My vote goes to the vongole pasta. The abalone risotto is a must~~

Great atmosphere and friendly staff: Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is a Maewol-dong restaurant I'd love to visit again.