Gwangju family brunch with kids at Bueokgan Suwan, Italian restaurant

It had been ages since I’d had brunch, so my hubby, our little guy, and I headed out to Bueokgan Suwan Branch (부엌간 수완점) in Suwan District. Right beside Sumun 1 Park, it’s a nice spot for both a meal and a park stroll. That day, we set out a delicious Italian-style spread in this pretty space and enjoyed a relaxed brunch together.

Bueokgan Suwan Branch: the basics

It’s a little removed from Suwan District’s busy dining alley, so parking in the alley in front of the restaurant is relatively easy.

An interior welcomed by green views

Set beside Sumun 1 Park, Bueokgan Suwan Branch reminded me of a little European restaurant from its exterior alone, with its large awning and brickwork.

There was a waiting table outside, and once inside, the wood furniture, pretty lighting, and charming little decorations created a calm atmosphere.

What stayed with me most of all were the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. The lush trees outside made it feel as though nature was close by, even indoors.

There were tables for two, four, and six, along with bar seating. They also had a place to hang coats and high chairs ready to go.

When we said there would be three of us including a child, they showed us to our table and brought baby tableware too. Such a welcome bit of consideration for us visiting with a little one.

Already bustling before noon

We arrived just before 12, but the restaurant was already bustling with diners. Orders are placed at the table, and there was a notice saying food might take a while because of backed-up orders.

We decided to wait leisurely, but the food was served faster than expected. Couple Set B includes a salad, a pasta or rice dish, a pizza, and two drinks.

We chose the garden salad, shrimp rosé pasta, basil Margherita pizza, iced batch brew coffee, and lemonade, then added the abalone cream risotto. It was a great selection for the three of us to share several dishes.

Garden salad to wake up the appetite

The drinks and garden salad arrived first. Fresh greens and tomatoes were topped with Parmesan cheese and served with a tangy dressing. The crisp vegetables and bright dressing freshened up my palate whenever I had some between bites of pasta and pizza.

The iced batch brew had its own fragrant aroma and acidity, which went beautifully with the Italian-style food.

Basil Margherita pizza our little guy loved

Next up was the basil Margherita pizza.

This wood-fired Margherita pizza came topped with cheese, basil sauce, and arugula. The nutty crust, soft cheese, and basil’s distinctive fragrance worked so well together.

More than anything, our little guy absolutely loved it—perhaps because the crust was savory and clean-tasting. When dining out with a child, what the adults enjoy matters too, but having at least one dish the child eats well makes mealtime so much more relaxing. This pizza really did the job that day.

Abalone cream risotto full of nutty flavor

One bite of the abalone cream risotto we added to the order, and its nutty flavor spread all through my mouth.

It was creamy while still carrying abalone’s distinctive flavor, and it even reminded me a little of abalone miyeokguk (seaweed soup). The fried enoki mushrooms on top of the risotto were a special treat.

As we ate the golden-fried enoki mushrooms, they somehow tasted a little like squid, which my hubby and I both found fascinating. The contrast between the soft risotto and chewy mushrooms was quietly fun too.

Silky rosé cream and chewy fresh pasta

While we were eating the pizza, the shrimp rosé pasta arrived.

The shrimp rosé pasta had plump shrimp, and its rosé sauce leaned more toward smooth cream than tomato. I especially liked the pleasantly chewy texture of the fresh pasta. The sauce coated the noodles softly, so every twirled forkful had a creamy richness. The shrimp were nicely plump too, and it was a mild, easy dish to share with a child.

From the salad to the pizza, pasta, and risotto, the three of us happily cleared our whole brunch spread. I was especially pleased that our little guy ate the pizza and pasta so well. With green views and a relaxed setting for a meal, it’s a lovely place to try for a family brunch with children or an easygoing meal out. On a day when you want delicious pasta and pizza in Suwan District along with a slightly slower meal, enjoy a warm bite at Bueokgan Suwan Branch :)