Hongdae date restaurant: Shin Ramyun-spicy flat iron risotto, Omil

Why I picked Omil Hongdae for a Hongdae date

Omil Hongdae is a Western restaurant in Hongdae with a great reputation for its cute, charming feel and tasty food. It wasn't a special occasion, but I needed a change of mood, so I picked Omil Hongdae for a date.

Lately I've been craving good food in a nice atmosphere, so I started searching for Hongdae restaurants, and Omil Hongdae really caught my eye. After actually going, I was more satisfied than I expected and wanted to share it. If you want flavor, atmosphere and good value all at once, I wonder if there's a better choice than Omil Hongdae.

Getting to Omil Hongdae and what the restaurant feels like

Omil Hongdae is on the 2nd floor of a building close to Exit 4 of Hongik Univ. Station. Even if you wander over after browsing AK Plaza, it's not hard to find.

The cute charm started right at the entrance. The stairway up to the 2nd floor already felt adorable, so I walked in all excited. Inside, white tones, furniture and warm lighting made the space feel relaxing. The bright yet soft lighting makes food photos turn out well and the look is clean, so it's perfect for a date.

How much is the set menu at Omil Hongdae?

The set menu at Omil Hongdae, with 3 dishes and 2 drinks, starts from ₩48,700. I'd heard Omil Hongdae is famous for good value, and the price made sense right away.

For my set I ordered the Omil soba maki (buckwheat gimbap), the flat iron spicy risotto and the sizzling iron plate cheese katsu.

Omil soba maki (buckwheat gimbap): okay on a diet?

The Omil soba maki is a futomaki-style buckwheat gimbap (seaweed rice roll): buckwheat noodles, vegetables and Japanese-style rolled omelet in a special sauce, wrapped in seaweed. I'm on a diet these days, and it was so clean and refreshing that I could keep eating it.

The buckwheat had just the right chew, and the omelet inside was Japanese-style, so slightly sweet. With the mayonnaise, cucumber and burdock root inside, plus wasabi on the side, it felt like a keto gimbap you could keep eating as diet food.

Personally it was the tastiest dish at Omil Hongdae and the one I was happiest with. I honestly wanted to take some home! The ingredients were fresh, so I enjoyed it freshly to the very last piece.

How spicy is the flat iron spicy risotto at Omil Hongdae?

The flat iron spicy risotto at Omil Hongdae was about as spicy as Shin Ramyun. It's a mildly spicy risotto with beef flat iron steak, vegetables stir-fried in chili oil, and cheese.

A touch of heat on top of smooth cream gave it a balance that pretty much any Korean would like.

The rice was cooked nicely soft, and the chili, tomato and vegetables in it were well balanced. It was rich yet harmonious, the kind of taste you keep going back for, and I still remember it now.

What is the sizzling iron plate cheese katsu at Omil Hongdae?

The sizzling iron plate cheese katsu at Omil Hongdae is a cheese katsu where bubbling hot cheese is poured onto a heated iron plate. A cheese-and-meat ball like arancini gets another pour of cheese, giving a nutty, smooth flavor.

The inside was packed with meat and cheese too, so it felt like eating a proper Western dish. It filled up the protein I was short on, and with a fizzy drink it was rich yet refreshing.

Is Omil Hongdae a good date restaurant in Hongdae?

The tables at Omil Hongdae are spaced comfortably, so we could talk easily without being disturbed by the people around us. After tasting the food and spending time in the space, I could clearly see why so many people love Omil Hongdae.

Overall the food was excellent, and the service, atmosphere and price made for a satisfying time. If you're looking for a good-value, memorable date spot near Hongdae, don't hesitate and visit Omil Hongdae.