Myeongdong Italian restaurant for black sesame risotto: Mano di Chef

Today I'm introducing Mano di Chef Myeongdong Branch — a great stop whether you're shopping in Myeongdong or looking for a nice-atmosphere spot for a gathering 😉 Mano di Chef is an Italian restaurant built on 20 years of culinary philosophy, using fresh ingredients and seasonal flavors, with locations in Myeongdong, Jamsil, Samseong, and Gangnam.

It's known as a bisque pasta spot in Myeongdong, but this time I ordered steak and mushroom risotto instead. Both dishes were way more delicious than I expected, haha.

Where Mano di Chef Myeongdong Branch is and when it opens

• Address: 26 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, UNESCO Building 11F (about 306m from Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station Exit 5)
• Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00–21:30 / Sun 11:00–21:00
• Break time: Weekdays 15:00–17:00 / Weekends 15:50–17:00

Inside Mano di Chef: a classic dining room with an 11th-floor view

The interior of Mano di Chef Myeongdong Branch blends dark wood, brick, and soft lighting for a classic, old-world atmosphere. From the shelves styled with books and wine glasses to the wine bottles lined up by the window, every corner has a quiet elegance.

Being on the 11th floor of the UNESCO Building gives it an especially great view. The sunlight pouring in through the big windows made it lovely even during the day, and I imagine dining with a Namsan-facing night view would be gorgeous too.

The restaurant is fairly spacious, with everything from small rooms to spaces for group gatherings, so it seemed like a good option for a wedding-invitation meetup or a family gathering too.

What we ordered at Mano di Chef and what it cost

• Steak & Carrot Hummus Plate (₩29,900)
• Black Sesame & Cham-songi Mushroom Risotto (₩27,900)

Steak & Carrot Hummus Plate, ₩29,900

This was the dish I enjoyed most that day! The steak came with carrots, tomatoes, olives, and hummus, so it looked appetizing right from the colors alone.

Above all, the steak was genuinely delicious haha. The more you chew, the more the meat flavor comes through, blending savory with the seasoning — to me it tasted almost like yangnyeom galbi (marinated short ribs), in a familiar way.

Maybe that's why my chopsticks kept reaching for it! After eating just the meat for a while, I paired it with the hummus, then with the vegetables — so many ways to enjoy one plate.

I'd recommend this dish to anyone who wants steak and vegetables together.

Black Sesame & Cham-songi Mushroom Risotto, ₩27,900

The risotto's deep, dark color topped with big chunks of mushroom and roasted tomato caught the eye right away. It went well with the black plate too, making it a pretty photo.

Tasting it, I loved how the flavors of different mushrooms came together.

You get to enjoy both the mushrooms mixed through the risotto and the ones on top, so any mushroom lover would be satisfied with this dish! It also worked well eaten alternately with the steak.

Good for a post-shopping meal or a wedding-invitation gathering in Myeongdong

Given how long this brand has been around, I had some expectations, but trying it myself, the food was even better than I imagined 😋 Three reasons I'd recommend it:

• ① Savory, satisfying steak and mushroom risotto full of flavor
• ② Classic interior and an 11th-floor view
• ③ A location and space good for post-shopping visits or gatherings with a group

If you're looking for a restaurant in Myeongdong to enjoy both great atmosphere and food, I recommend Mano di Chef Myeongdong Branch :)