Gwangju brunch at 11am opening: parking by Jjambbong Jijon, Bueokgan

Where is the Bueokgan Sangmu Branch parking entrance? Next to Jjambbong Jijon

A friend recommended this as a brunch spot in Sangmu, so our family headed out to check it out. There's parking behind the building, which is convenient, but I couldn't spot the entrance right away and almost pulled into the Starbucks building next door instead, ugh. I had to make a U-turn and come back — turns out there's a Bueokgan parking sign just before the building. It's on the road right next to Jjambbong Jijon's parking lot, so please, don't miss it like I did and go straight in!

Going up the stairs, there's a door that looks like the entrance, but apparently that's actually the exit. I wanted to go in that way but held back and went to find the real entrance, haha. Between the parking and this, I kept getting lost today. Handy tip though — the restroom is right there once you come out through the exit door, so it's easy to use.

European-style exterior and outdoor seats

Once I came out to the main road to find Bueokgan Sangmu's front entrance, wow — is this Europe?! The atmosphere was full-on European. On a nice day, this would be a great spot to enjoy brunch outside.

I'm not usually the type to get lost or lose my sense of direction, but somehow I couldn't find the door for a moment, haha. I clearly looked like a total first-timer searching for the entrance. A little embarrassing.

Is it easy to get a table at the 11am opening?

Even though I went right when Bueokgan Sangmu opened at 11am, there were already people seated inside. I took a shot of the interior partially screened by a tree — there's everything from 4-tops to group tables. That day a party of about eight came in for the group table, and by past noon the place had filled up fast. I imagine there'd be a wait on weekends.

The season for wearing outerwear is coming soon, and it's such a hassle holding onto a coat while eating. Here you can hang it on a coat hanger so it won't wrinkle and stays neatly out of the way — really nice touch.

They also have baby chairs, great for bringing little ones, and sure enough a family with a baby came in that day. So cute — the baby sat nicely in the chair munching away, adorable to watch.

This seat screened by the tree!! Seems like it's the hot spot, haha. This is where seats start filling up first, and that's exactly where our family sat too.

Kiosk ordering and the four set menus

At Bueokgan Sangmu you order through the kiosk at your table, and there were really so many options. After a lot of deliberating I went with a set menu — there are four kinds, and ordering was clean and easy.

Looking at the menu, I wanted this and that and everything in between, total decision paralysis, haha. Now I have a reason to come back often. The wine list especially made me think this would be a great place for a special occasion. Since I drove today, I settled for drinks instead, haha.

The cutlery was already set on the table when we arrived.

The drinks came out first. I'll probably go grab coffee afterward as a second round, but gotta enjoy the drinks here too, haha. I ordered a lemon ade and a grapefruit ade.

Couple Set B: shrimp rosé pasta and basil margherita pizza

From Couple Set B I ordered the garden salad, shrimp rosé pasta, and basil margherita pizza — and wow, the pasta was so good. When eating the pizza, dipping the crust edge into the pasta sauce is the move, so good. I finally understood why my friend recommended this place, haha. Now I want wine.

If the pizza feels a bit rich, drizzling on some hot sauce cuts right through it. They also serve pickles alongside, so nibbling on one between bites is nice and crunchy.

Between all the chatting, the food disappeared before we knew it, haha. The pasta was so good I got curious about their other pasta dishes. So next time I'll try a different one — and I'll have a glass of wine while I'm at it!

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch hours and break time

• Daily 11:00–22:00
• Break time 16:00–16:30
• Last order 21:00