# Hongdae, Seoul brunch spot for banana brûlée French toast: MELA

- By Hayun (https://superchart.com/en/@alley-glass-seoul/)
- Written Sep 16, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@alley-glass-seoul/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@alley-glass-seoul/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/index.md)

## In short

MELA Hongdae is a brunch restaurant on the first floor of Nudite Hongdae in Mapo, Seoul, between Hongik University Station and Mangwon Station. The order was the Victoria French Toast (21,000 won), the baby potato basil cream gnocchi (22,000 won) and a homemade lemonade (7,500 won), with the caramelized banana brûlée and the generous basil cream sauce standing out. MELA Hongdae balances atmosphere, flavor, portion size and price well enough to suit both dates and group get-togethers.

## Good to know

- **Address**: 41 World Cup buk-ro 5-gil, 1st floor, Unit 105, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Nudite Hongdae)
- **Getting there**: 7-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 1 or Mangwon Station Exit 1
- **Hours**: Daily 9:00–18:30 (last order 18:00)
- **Victoria French Toast**: 21,000 won
- **Baby potato basil cream gnocchi**: 22,000 won
- **Homemade lemonade**: 7,500 won
- **Amenities**: Groups welcome, takeout, delivery, reservations, Wi-Fi, separate men's and women's restrooms, high chairs, waiting area, parking

*as written by the visitor on Sep 16, 2026*

![Brunch table setting at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-01-1oiyt-900.webp)

![Brunch menu at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-02-10as0-900.webp)

Today I'm bringing you a review of MELA, a brunch spot near Hongdae that I visited not long ago.

![Exterior view of MELA Hongdae, a Hongdae brunch café](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-03-1noxm-900.webp)

It's a brunch café I already visit sometimes since it's near my house, and once again I had a really satisfying meal there! 🥰

## Where is MELA Hongdae, and what are the hours?

MELA Hongdae
📍 41 World Cup buk-ro 5-gil, 1st floor, Unit 105, Mapo-gu, Seoul
(7-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 1 or Mangwon Station Exit 1)
⏱️ Daily 9:00–18:30 (last order 18:00)
Group seating, takeout, delivery, reservations, Wi-Fi, separate restrooms, high chairs, waiting area, parking

![Exterior of MELA Hongdae in the alley of Nudite Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-04-12dv3-900.webp)

![Area near the entrance of MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-05-17zwh-m-900.webp)

MELA Hongdae sits in an alley between Hongik University Station and Mangwon Station — it's easiest to find by looking for a place called 'Nudite Hongdae' haha.

## Inside MELA Hongdae: wood tones and plants everywhere

![Interior of MELA Hongdae filled with plants](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-06-5e4xc-900.webp)

I feel this every time I go, but the interior is just so pretty 🤎
There are flowers and plants everywhere, and the wood-tone and green furniture makes it feel like your eyes get a little cleanse haha.

![Seating area at MELA Hongdae decorated with wood-tone furniture and props](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-07-3978e-900.webp)

You can feel how warm and cozy the atmosphere is, right? haha
The little decorative pieces scattered around are so cute too 🧸

I always think the MELA logo and lettering are so cute whenever I see them.
The staff are always kind too, so it's a Hongdae brunch café I'm satisfied with every time I go 🍎

## MELA Hongdae menu and what we ordered

![Menu board at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-08-qznhb-900.webp)

![MELA Hongdae menu listing brunch and meal items](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-09-s1sas-900.webp)

The menu is quite varied — there are brunch items like French toast, eggs Benedict, and sandwiches, plus full meal options like steak, pasta, gnocchi, and pizza, so there's plenty of choice haha.
They even have ragù tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and kimchi fried rice! I'll have to try those next time haha 😋

![Brunch spread ordered at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-10-1q03l-m-900.webp)

- Baby Potato Basil Cream Gnocchi (₩22,000)
- Victoria French Toast (₩21,000)
- Homemade Lemonade (₩7,500)

Last time I mostly ordered brunch items, but today I tried the gnocchi too.
The Victoria French Toast is something I always order whenever I come, so I couldn't resist it today either haha 🤤

![Homemade lemonade at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-11-1kxet-900.webp)

![Glass of homemade lemonade with ice](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-12-l4ypt-900.webp)

First up, the homemade lemonade 🍋
Made with a homemade syrup, it wasn't too sweet and was wonderfully refreshing and cool to drink...

## Victoria French Toast: the banana brûlée is the best part

![Victoria French Toast topped with fruit](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-13-10vnc-1200.webp)

MELA's signature brunch item —
the Victoria French Toast
A moist brioche toast topped with mango, blueberries, and banana brûlée, enjoyed with sweet syrup.
The visual is honestly insane haha, I'm amazed every time I see it 😍 so pretty, so pretty haha.

![Cross-section of the brioche toast](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-14-loh3n-900.webp)

The brioche was moist and fluffy, with the outside lightly toasted and nutty 😊

![A slice of French toast topped with raspberry jam and whipped cream](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-15-1lf5e-900.webp)

With raspberry jam and whipped cream on top of the bread... eaten together with the fruit, it's a tangy, sweet flavor that makes you go 'wow' 😘
That's why I can never skip the Victoria French Toast whenever I come.

![Caramelized banana brûlée](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-16-462bv-900.webp)

![Toast served with banana brûlée and berry sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-17-nxkkf-900.webp)

The banana brûlée was especially delicious 🍌
The surface is caramelized so you get a crunchy sugar coating, while the banana inside stays warm and soft, making the sweetness feel even richer.
Paired with the tangy berry sauce and cream, the sweetness never felt overwhelming.

## Baby potato basil cream gnocchi: how big is the portion?

![A plate of baby potato basil cream gnocchi](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-18-1mk58-900.webp)

The next dish turned out to be more filling than expected —
the Baby Potato Basil Cream Gnocchi.
At first the portion didn't look like much, but as I ate, I realized the chewy gnocchi was packed in more generously than expected, so one plate alone was pretty satisfying.

The gnocchi's soft, chewy texture paired with the nicely browned baby potatoes gave it varied texture too, and above all, the basil cream sauce was genuinely delicious 🤍

![Gnocchi and baby potatoes tossed in basil cream sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-19-7j3ex-900.webp)

It was creamy with a fragrant basil aroma that cut the richness, leaving a deep, nutty flavor, and the sauce was served generously so there was plenty to coat the gnocchi in.

![Basil cream sauce scooped up with a spoon](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-20-18ubb-900.webp)

By the end, I was practically scooping up the leftover sauce with a spoon haha.
I'd especially recommend this to anyone who likes thick cream sauces but doesn't want it to feel too heavy.
The gnocchi portion was generous and the sauce was plentiful too, so it was satisfying in both taste and quantity — I fully recommend this dish 🤗

## Is MELA Hongdae better for a date or a group?

![Two brunch plates on a table at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-21-t0yto-900.webp)

If you're looking for a great-atmosphere brunch spot in Hongdae, I'd really recommend MELA Hongdae.
The overall warm, sentimental mood combined with the pretty interior means you can get some great photos too haha 😉

![Warm, sentimental interior of MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-22-h11a7-900.webp)

It would work well for a weekend brunch date, of course, but also for meeting friends or as a gathering spot for a bigger group.
Above all, it wasn't just about a pretty atmosphere — every dish we ordered was genuinely delicious too, which was satisfying.

![Window seating atmosphere at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-23-10ctr-900.webp)

Given the atmosphere and quality of the food, the prices weren't too burdensome either, which made it even more satisfying.
With a good balance of atmosphere, taste, visuals, and price, this is a place I strongly recommend as a Hongdae brunch spot :)

![Entrance of the Nudite Hongdae building](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi-24-bl2hs-m-900.webp)
*Entrance to Nudite Hongdae*

## Where it is

- MELA Hongdae (멜라 홍대점)
- 41 World Cup buk-ro 5-gil, 1st floor, Unit 105, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 마포구 월드컵북로5길 41 1층 105호
- 37.5561238, 126.9167212
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%A9%9C%EB%9D%BC%20%ED%99%8D%EB%8C%80%EC%A0%90/@37.5561238,126.9167212,17z

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Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@alley-glass-seoul/mela-hongdae-banana-brulee-toast-gnocchi/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt