Two 15-piece walnut pastry gift boxes in Gyeongju: Buja Hodu

Buja Hodu

• Location: 38 Poseok-ro 1095beon-gil, B-dong 105-ho, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 09:30–20:00
• Parking: Paid public parking lot in Hwangnidan-gil

Buja Hodu: a Hwangnidan-gil stop while hunting for a Gyeongju souvenir for my parents

Buja Hodu is a low-sugar walnut pastry shop on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju. While out exploring Hwangnidan-gil, I was looking for a Gyeongju souvenir or dessert my parents would like.

When picking a souvenir while traveling, taste matters, but so does packaging that's good for gifting! Buja Hodu sold walnut pastries in a variety of flavors, all made low-sugar, so it felt like a lighter option too — that's what made me buy.

A walnut dessert spot I stumbled on while wandering Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju! 🌰✨ I was looking for a Gyeongju souvenir for my parents and found low-sugar walnut pastries in several flavors, so I bought them right away ☺️ From original to pea cream cheese to matcha, each flavor had its own character, and best of all, there was a whole walnut in every single piece — the nuttiness was so good! The gift box packaging was clean too, so I'd recommend it as a Gyeongju travel souvenir or a gift for parents 🎁

Where is Buja Hodu, and what is the shop like?

Buja Hodu sits right among the dessert shops clustered on Hwangnidan-gil, so it wasn't hard to find.

The exterior was clean with a hanok feel that matched the Hwangnidan-gil atmosphere nicely. Photos of the different walnut pastries were posted outside, so I could easily see what flavors were on offer.

As you'd expect from a takeout-only shop, it was run neatly, and there was one simple table set up out front. It's a good spot to stop while exploring Hwangnidan-gil and eat dessert right away, or to buy first and browse the area after.

By the counter, the walnut pastries and other desserts were laid out neatly. It was easy to see which items came in which flavor, which made it simple to decide on a gift set. Buja Hodu had everything from the basic original walnut pastry to a variety of mix sets.

We ordered 15 original and 15 mix as gifts!

The 15-piece original box — low sugar, still sweet enough

Buja Hodu's 15-piece original walnut pastries came neatly packed in a gift box. I worried the low sugar might make it bland, but the red bean filling still tasted like the real thing.

One reason I'd recommend this for a Gyeongju souvenir gift set is the packaging — it made for a clean, presentable gift for my parents or friends.

I worried the low-sugar version might be too bland, but it turned out to have a clean sweetness that was easy to eat without feeling weighed down. The sweetness wasn't overdone, but the flavor of the filling still came through fully.

Best of all, the walnuts inside were genuinely large! It wasn't just a few walnut pieces scattered in — a whole walnut went into each one, giving it a good bite too. With a walnut in every single piece, the nutty flavor really came through with every bite ☺️✨

The 15-piece mix box — red bean, pea cream cheese, matcha

Next up is the mix set, where you get to enjoy several flavors! Ours included red bean, pea cream cheese, and matcha, so we got a nice variety.

Pea cream cheese walnut pastry

The combination of pea filling and cream cheese worked better than I expected. The clean flavor of the pea filling met the soft cream cheese for a taste that was both nutty and mellow. With the big walnut piece added in, there was a nice mix of textures too.

Matcha walnut pastry

The matcha one was packed with cream inside, making it even softer to eat. The subtle matcha flavor paired well with the nuttiness of the walnut, and with a whole walnut inside too, it felt like eating a dessert all on its own.

Overall, the combination of walnut, filling, and cream worked well, and each flavor had its own character — I was glad we bought a few different kinds!

Why Buja Hodu works as a Gyeongju souvenir gift set

Buja Hodu, discovered while exploring Hwangnidan-gil! It was low-sugar so easy to eat without guilt, and each pastry had a big whole walnut inside for really good nuttiness. With flavors ranging from original to pea cream cheese to matcha, it was easy to pick and choose depending on taste.

With the clean gift box packaging on top, this seems like a great fit for anyone looking for a Gyeongju souvenir gift set or a present for parents. If you're looking for a Hwangnidan-gil dessert spot or a Gyeongju Hwangnidan-gil restaurant to remember your trip by, stop by Buja Hodu ☺️✨