Gwangju Italian restaurant for truffle gnocchi: Bueokgan Suwan

Bueokgan Suwan Branch exterior and parking

Even from outside, it really had the feel of a European restaurant. The brickwork and large awning gave it a warm, exotic atmosphere. Bueokgan Suwan Branch is said to be designed around the concept of a brunch restaurant in an Italian forest.

Bueokgan Suwan Branch is near Sumun 1 Park, a little away from Suwan District's restaurant street, so it felt quieter than I expected. There is no separate parking lot, but you can park in front of the restaurant, so it should not be too difficult if there is an open spot. I parked on a nearby side street. Being a little outside busy Suwan District actually made it nice for a more relaxed visit.

On a nice day, I thought it would be lovely to enjoy the terrace, too.

If there is a wait, just write your name in the notebook in front of the restaurant. They cancel your place after three missed calls, so make sure you answer!!!

An interior with large windows and a park view

The first thing that catches your eye when you walk in is the huge floor-to-ceiling windows! The restaurant is not especially large, but the windows kept it from feeling closed in. There is a park right next door, so lush green trees fill the view beyond the glass, and the atmosphere was honestly so nice. Even while sitting indoors, the greenery outside made everything feel open and relaxed.

The atmospheric interior and little decorative touches made the space feel even prettier. When I visited at weekend lunchtime, it was full of guests: couples on dates, groups of friends, and plenty of families too, with high chairs available. It looks like a good option for a Suwan District date, gathering, or family meal.

A varied Western-style menu and what we ordered

There were lots of set-menu options, plus so many delicious-looking and unusual dishes: pastry soup, kung pao chicken pilaf, lasagna, abalone cream risotto, steak, jambon pizza, and more. Wine to enjoy with the food was available too.

That day, we picked a favorite of ours and a dish we had been curious about.

• Truffle mushroom cream gnocchi
• Shrimp anchovy oil pasta
• Grapefruit ade

The chewy texture of the truffle mushroom cream gnocchi

First, the truffle mushroom cream gnocchi had such an intense truffle aroma. Among all the truffle dishes I have tried, it was one of the strongest in both scent and flavor, so I think truffle lovers would really enjoy it.

The gnocchi was lightly crisp outside and chewy inside, which I loved, and there were plenty of mushrooms too. Rather than soft gnocchi that just melts away, it had a satisfying chew, making it even tastier with the sauce.

The combination of truffle cream sauce + chewy gnocchi + mushrooms was absolutely perfect! It was the kind of dish that made us scrape up every last bit of sauce. I would especially recommend it to truffle lovers.

Mix the shrimp anchovy oil pasta well

At first, I wondered whether the distinctive anchovy flavor would be too strong, but it was not as overwhelming as I expected. I think it is important to mix the sauce and ingredients thoroughly before eating. Once it was evenly mixed, the anchovy's savory, salty umami came through more clearly, and it tasted much better.

And the plump shrimp were so springy—great texture too! The salty umami and bouncy shrimp made this a dish that tasted better the more I ate, so I kept reaching for another bite.

A relaxed Western-style meal in Suwan District

I visited Bueokgan while looking for an atmospheric Western-style restaurant in Suwan District. I had wanted to try it for a while, and after finally visiting, I found it was a great place to enjoy not only the food but also the restaurant's atmosphere. The charming interior and sunlight coming through the large windows created an overall cozy, sentimental mood. It seemed like a nice choice for a date or family meal in Suwan District, too. I recommend Bueokgan Suwan!