Gwangju Italian restaurant for egg yolk carbonara: Bueokgan Suwan

Hours are 11:30–21:00, with a break from 15:00–17:00. Last orders are at 14:30 for lunch and 20:20 for dinner.

I was in Gwangju looking for a restaurant to have a pre-wedding gathering with friends, so I searched for somewhere with both a nice atmosphere and good food. I came to Bueokgan Suwan Branch, a pasta spot in Suwan District, after seeing reviews saying it had the highest repeat-visit rate among local favorites.

A peaceful setting for a pre-wedding gathering in Suwan District

Located in a quiet residential area near Suwan District's dining street, it was a peaceful place to eat. It felt like a brunch restaurant tucked into an Italian forest—honestly perfect for a pre-wedding gathering with friends. We made a Naver reservation and were seated without waiting, but it is already well known locally, so I recommend reserving if you want to get in without a wait.

The interior had designer lighting and furniture, giving it a comfortable, atmospheric feel. We ate at a table toward the back. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, we could see the lush green trees in the park outside, and the mood was seriously lovely. The large awning and brick interior made it feel as though we'd stepped into an Italian restaurant.

They also have wine that goes nicely with the food, making it a good place for a date or a special anniversary.

Ordering pasta, pilaf, and pizza to share

The menu had Western dishes with standout presentation, including soups, salads, pizza, pasta, and pilaf. We wanted to try a variety of things, so after some deliberation we ordered carbonara pasta, kung pao chicken pilaf, and Margherita pizza to share.

And here were the dishes—an absolute pass based on looks alone. Every single one was delicious, so we were glad we ordered a little of everything.

Carbonara pasta mixed with a poached egg

It had been such a long time since I'd had carbonara pasta, and Bueokgan Suwan Branch serves theirs with a poached egg on top. You can leave the egg off if you do not want it.

Before digging into the pasta, we broke open the poached egg and mixed it in. The egg and carbonara together were the ultimate in smooth, nutty flavor. It was the best thing we ate this time, so I completely recommend this pasta.

I've eaten so much pasta while going to pre-wedding gatherings, but this was memorable even among the pasta I've had recently. The combination of the sauce and poached egg was just so good.

The pasta had exactly the texture I like, and the thick bacon and button mushrooms went beautifully with it too.

I twirled it up and took a big bite—wow. This was not a flavor that would be easy to recreate at home. The pasta sauce was wonderfully thick and creamy, just the right consistency for dipping the pizza too.

Kung pao chicken pilaf topped with a whole chicken

Next came the kung pao chicken pilaf, and it had such an exotic flavor. A whole oven-roasted chicken sits on top, with fried rice cooked in kung pao sauce underneath.

The chicken was slow-cooked in the oven and still a little pink inside, but the meat itself was tender with no off smell at all. I was very satisfied.

Using the scissors they provided, we cut up the chicken leg first and ate it with the rice. Totally addictive.

The salty, spicy flavor was addictive, and while the sauce was unlike anything I usually eat, it somehow felt familiar, so I kept reaching for another spoonful. It was filling, but I also really loved its exotic flavor. The fluffy, separate grains of fried rice were great, and with the well-seasoned chicken, it was perfect.

Margherita pizza with fragrant basil and sun-dried tomatoes

Pizza is another must-order at Bueokgan, so we tried the most popular basil Margherita. Basil lovers will absolutely love it—everyone who orders it will be very happy with this pizza.

One bite in, it seemed simple and unembellished, yet it was a pizza that stayed true to the basics. I thought it was the kind of flavor anyone could enjoy, without strong likes or dislikes.

The fragrant basil came through clearly, while the sun-dried tomatoes on top were the key touch. The three elements—the basil, tomatoes, and nicely thick pizza dough—worked so well together that I could see why this is also a best-selling menu item.

A Suwan District Italian restaurant that accepts gift certificates

Both Gwangsan Love Gift Certificates and Onnuri Gift Certificates can be used for payment, making the meal a little more affordable. My partner is a die-hard Korean-food person, so we do not often visit atmospheric Italian restaurants like this, but Bueokgan Suwan Branch was much better than expected—and we got to come thanks to the pre-wedding gathering. The European-feeling interior and atmosphere were lovely, and the menu worked equally well for brunch or a proper meal; just being in the restaurant put me in a good mood. The food was so delicious that my friends and I scraped every plate clean. If you want great food and a great atmosphere, visit Bueokgan Suwan Branch.