Gwangju Italian restaurant with baby-friendly dining: Bueokgan

Kkomul’s family visited Bueokgan Sangmu Branch, a great pasta spot in Gwangju’s Sangmu area, together over the weekend.

A quiet family meal in Mae-wol-dong

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is in Mae-wol-dong, a little away from the busy Sangmu district downtown, so you can enjoy a meal in peace. It is a restaurant Kkomul’s mom often visits for get-togethers or with the family.

Kkomul’s family arrived before 6 PM on the weekend and luckily walked right in without waiting.

If there is a wait, write your name on the waiting list by the entrance and wait outside. There are tables and chairs in front of the restaurant, so it is comfortable enough to wait. Bueokgan Sangmu Branch does not use a separate waiting app, so making a reservation before visiting is recommended.

An interior inspired by a vintage classic hotel

The interior felt elegant. It is said to have been designed around the concept of a vintage Italian classic hotel, inspired by the ballroom in Titanic.

Every detail feels thoughtfully considered, making this an easy place to recommend for a gathering. The cutlery is all pretty too, and with high chairs as well as baby tableware available, it is great for visiting with a baby!

A varied menu from pasta to wine

The Sangmu Bueokgan menu has a wide selection of pasta, salads, risotto, pilaf, pizza, steak, and more.

They also sell wine, so it is a restaurant many people visit for dates too.

You can order through the table-order system, and this is what Kkomul’s family ordered this time.

• Truffle mushroom cream gnocchi — ₩22,000
• Jambon pizza — ₩24,000
• Sweet potato fries — ₩8,000

Cream gnocchi with a gentle truffle aroma

Kkomul’s mom’s favorite: truffle mushroom cream gnocchi! The gentle truffle aroma spread through the wonderfully chewy gnocchi, and it was so good. True to its reputation as a great pasta restaurant in Gwangju’s Sangmu district, the other pastas are delicious too, so we try different ones whenever we come.

Jambon pizza for the first time

When Kkomul’s mom visits Bueokgan Sangmu Branch, she usually orders the arugula prosciutto pizza, but the jambon pizza we tried for the first time was light and delicious too, with cheese, jambon, and pistachios over a chewy crust. Kkomul seemed to love the edge of the crust, dipping it again and again into the honey that came with the sweet potato fries—then ended up eating every last crust edge!

Sweet potato fries for Kkomul

Sweet potato fries ordered for Kkomul. Once you dip the sweet, crispy fries in honey and ketchup, you just keep eating them.

Kkomul was hurrying us along, asking for the sweet potato fries to come quickly because they are a favorite ♡

Where do you park at Bueokgan Sangmu Branch?

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is between Jjamppong Jijeon Jeonnam Gwangju Branch and Starbucks Seogwangju Branch. Pass Jjamppong Jijeon and turn right to find the dedicated parking lot, which is free to use. Parking along the road may be permitted at lunchtime, and the parking lot inside Jjamppong Jijeon can also be used as shared parking. The Mudeung Church parking lot is said to be available as well.

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch, a great pasta restaurant in Gwangju’s Sangmu district, has good food, a lovely atmosphere, convenient parking, and a short break time that makes it easy to plan around. I recommend it for dates, gatherings, and family meals. Best of all, you do not have to head into the crowded Sangmu district downtown, where parking is inconvenient, so it is a place we keep coming back to.