Italian restaurant in Sangmu, Gwangju: on-the-house sangria, Bueokgan

What is Bueokgan Sangmu Branch like?

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch (부엌간 상무점) is a brunch and Western restaurant in the Sangmu district of Gwangju's Seo-gu. It is open 11:00–22:00 and takes reservations through Naver. The interior feels like an Italian vintage classic hotel 🤍, which made it my favorite brunch spot in Sangmu.... ✨

Is parking and getting there easy?

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch has its own parking lot, so there was no parking stress at all. I came while hunting for a Sangmu restaurant, and it sits on the Geumho-dong side rather than in the busy center where everyone goes, so parking was the first thing that made me happy. Getting around before and after the meal was really easy too.

Daiso, Topten and Uniqlo are right next door, so it's easy to combine a meal with shopping or errands. I thought it would work well as a date course too.

Inside Bueokgan Sangmu Branch

Inside, the restaurant is decorated like a European restaurant, and the atmosphere was better than I expected. The lighting and every bit of the decor felt upscale. The tables are spaced generously, so it was easy to talk, and it suits family gatherings, dates or meals with friends. The photos came out so pretty that I was in a good mood before we even ate.

There are also several wines to pair with the food, so just browsing them was fun.

What did we order at Bueokgan Sangmu Branch?

Here's what we ordered 💕

• Pastry pumpkin soup
• Vongole pasta (clam pasta)
• Arugula prosciutto pizza

Signature pastry pumpkin soup

The pastry pumpkin soup at Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is made with a whole fresh pumpkin, topped with pastry and baked in the oven. We tried it first, and it was clearly different from an ordinary pumpkin soup.

I broke the pastry a little and scooped it up with the soup, and the crispy texture went really well with the smooth soup. The sweetness and nuttiness of the pumpkin came through strongly, and it isn't harsh or heavy, so I thought kids would love it too. One bite and I could tell why it's the signature dish.

Trying the arugula prosciutto pizza for the first time

The arugula prosciutto pizza we ordered with it was satisfying too. Salty prosciutto sits on a plain dough, covered with plenty of fresh arugula, so every bite filled my mouth with fragrance.

The flavor isn't overpowering, so it was easy to enjoy, and the savory depth of the prosciutto blended well with the freshness of the arugula. I kept reaching for another slice.

Whenever I go to Bueokgan I always order the jambon pizza types, so I bravely tried the arugula pizza this time, and I was totally, totally happy with it~!

Vongole pasta with a rich clam broth

The vongole pasta at Bueokgan Sangmu Branch had a deep, rich clam broth flavor that I loved. There was a subtle white wine aroma, and the noodles were cooked just right, blending naturally with the sauce. It had plenty of clams too, which were fun to chew, and I kept spooning up the broth to the very last bit.

Mojito sold out, free sangria instead

I originally ordered a mojito at Bueokgan Sangmu Branch, but sadly it was sold out, and a staff member gave us sangria as a free service instead. 💕 Let me tell you how touched I was,,,, sob

I was a little disappointed, but thanks to that unexpected kindness I finished the meal feeling really good. I got the impression that this is more than just a tasty restaurant; it's a place that carefully looks after its guests. 👍

Verdict: a good-atmosphere restaurant in Sangmu worth recommending?

From parking to atmosphere, food and service, Bueokgan Sangmu Branch had nothing I was disappointed by. It's easy to reach, and you can shop nearby after eating, so I'd recommend it for dates or family meals.

It was such a satisfying visit that I definitely want to try the other pastas and steak dishes next time. If you're looking for a restaurant with a good atmosphere in Sangmu, I really recommend this place, no question!