Sangmu, Gwangju brunch: truffle gnocchi shared with a baby, Bueokgan

Back at Bueokgan Sangmu for a weekend family brunch

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is a well-known pasta spot on the first floor of 25 Seogwangju-ro in Sangmu, Gwangju. Today's review is from a truly long-overdue weekend brunch trip with my family!

Before my baby was born, I used to come to Bueokgan all the time — it was one of my go-to spots in Sangmu. But once there was nothing on the menu a little baby could eat, I stopped going for a long while. This was our first visit back in ages.

Where is Bueokgan Sangmu, and where do you park?

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch sits right along the road from Geumho-dong toward Seogwangju Station, so it's easy to spot, and there's a large parking lot out back. It's a completely stress-free place to meet up with people who are driving.

The interior: a dining room that feels like being abroad

Both the exterior and interior of Bueokgan Sangmu Branch have such a strong overseas feel that just looking around puts you in a good mood! The upscale interior was so pretty.

The green trees visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the warm-toned lighting, and the spacious tables all came together with a nice level of ambient noise, so just sitting there felt healing.

Tablet ordering, the menu lineup and the review event

At Bueokgan Sangmu Branch you browse and order from the tablet installed at each table. There's quite a lot on the menu — set menus, salads & sides, pasta & rice, steak & pizza — so take your time looking it over.

They give you a pastry pie if you write a Naver Map review, so make sure to do that and enjoy it together!

Going with a baby: kids' tableware and dishes a baby can eat

We ordered the shrimp rosé pasta and the potato gnocchi. Our baby had recently started eating tomato pasta well, so we could order without worrying too much. The rice dishes are marked spicy, which might be tricky for a baby, but if your little one likes pasta, this place works fine!

They brought out baby tableware first, and it was clean and complete — tray, spoon, and fork all included — which made the whole visit easy and comfortable.

How do the shrimp rosé pasta and potato gnocchi taste?

What we ordered: a rich, creamy rosé pasta loaded with plump shrimp, and savory mushroom gnocchi with a full truffle aroma! Our order came out quickly, so we didn't have to wait long, which was even better.

Just looking at it, the presentation was so good. And the truffle scent mixed with the tomato-rosé aroma made me drool so much I almost couldn't wait to take photos before eating!

I quickly snapped photos, then scooped a portion out. The sauce clung thoroughly to the noodles instead of pooling separately, and with a full bite, the tangy tomato flavor blended with the smooth cream sauce for a rosé taste that was so, so good.

Whoever developed this rosé sauce, it never gets old — it's so good! The shrimp were genuinely big and plump, filling up each bite with a great chew. Sweet-and-tangy sauce meeting the shrimp's natural sweetness — this shrimp rosé pasta is a real Sangmu pasta combo for people who know what they like.

Potato gnocchi with a deep truffle aroma

The potato gnocchi came loaded with mushrooms, and whatever oil was drizzled on top — olive or truffle — gave off such a strong truffle scent that anyone who likes that flavor would love it.

A really smooth, savory sauce, mushrooms with great texture, and chewy potato gnocchi that melts in one bite.

It's a flavor both adults and kids would love. The potato was so chewy it could've passed for potato rice cake, and our baby ate it really well too.

Thankfully my baby loves pasta, so I actually get to visit Gwangju pasta restaurants again — I'm honestly overwhelmed haha.

We happily ate through the soft gnocchi and the pasta, and the portions were generous enough that sharing with the baby worked out great.

Is Bueokgan Sangmu worth it for a family meal?

Bueokgan Sangmu Branch was quiet with music and lighting that set a nice mood — it felt like a rare, proper family meal at a good place.

Spacious dining room, delicious food — highly recommend this Sangmu pasta spot, Bueokgan!