Wood-fired pizza in Gwangjin, Seoul: Osteria Hyeon

I went to Osteria Hyeon (오스테리아 현) near Children’s Grand Park Station for wood-fired pizza. Three of us shared two pizzas along with pasta and a salad. It was a memorable meal for the pizza crust’s texture and the mushroom and basil flavors in each dish.

What are the exterior and interior like?

A row of green planters in front of the building caught my eye. There were outdoor tables too, but we ate inside this time; when the weather gets cooler, I would like to try dining outside as well.

At the entrance, there was a notice saying that a Stefano Ferrara pizza oven officially certified by the Naples Pizza Association had been installed. The oven was visible as soon as I entered, which made me look forward to the pizzas baked there.

Was it comfortable to reserve and dine as a group?

The interior was clean and spacious, with group seating as well. On the day I visited, all of the group tables were reserved. I had also reserved ahead through Naver, so our table was ready.

The space stretched long on both sides, and the tables were generously spaced apart. It was easy to talk comfortably with the people I came with while eating, so I thought it would suit a date or a family gathering too.

What did three people order?

To share a variety of dishes among three people, we ordered the gorgonzola mushroom salad, basil pesto cream pasta, Korean beef tenderloin gorgonzola pizza, and porcini truffle mushroom pizza.

Olives, bread, and oil came first. The bread was crisp outside and fluffy inside, making it good for dipping in the fragrant olive oil.

What did the gorgonzola mushroom salad taste like?

The salad combined grilled mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese, and fresh vegetables.

The mushrooms were browned with grill marks on the outside and moist inside. The gorgonzola sauce was subtly absorbed into them, and the crisp vegetables and salty cheese worked well together, so it did not feel too rich to me.

What was good about the basil pesto cream pasta?

With one bite, I could taste the aroma of basil pesto alongside the richness of the cream. The saltiness of the prosciutto also went well with the cream sauce.

The crisp texture of the green beans kept it from becoming tiresome through the end. Of the dishes we had, this was the pasta I would order again.

How did the two wood-fired pizzas differ?

What was the Korean beef tenderloin gorgonzola pizza like?

The Korean beef tenderloin gorgonzola pizza came straight from the wood-fired oven, with a charred crust exterior and a fluffy, puffed-up interior. Large pieces of Korean beef tenderloin were topped with balsamic glaze.

The Korean beef tenderloin was tender to chew. The sweet-and-tangy balsamic glaze paired well with the rich cheese.

Spicy oil, cheese, and basil pesto were served alongside it, so we could add them to taste. A little spicy oil made it hotter, while dipping it in basil pesto added more aroma.

How were the aroma and texture of the porcini truffle mushroom pizza?

The porcini truffle mushroom pizza was piled high with mushrooms. Even though I do not usually enjoy mushrooms, I ate this pizza with pleasure.

Thin strips of porcini mushrooms were layered over the dough. As I chewed the chewy crust, I could taste the mushrooms’ deep flavor too.

The truffle aroma was subtle, and the cheese and mushrooms were a good combination. It had a different appeal from the sweet-and-tangy Korean beef tenderloin pizza, making it fun to share both kinds.

What are the location, parking, and hours?

The address is 237 Neungdong-ro, 1F, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea. According to the information in the original post, the first two hours are free when using the Kakao T parking lot behind the restaurant.

According to the original post, hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00–21:00, with a break from 15:00–17:00. It is listed as regularly closed every Monday. Takeout and Wi-Fi are available; restrooms are separate for men and women, and pets cannot accompany guests.