# Steak restaurant in Hongdae, Seoul: sourdough in the juices, MELA

- By Jaeyoung Shim (https://superchart.com/en/@euljiro-back-shelf/)
- Written Sep 19, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This post was written after receiving a sponsored store visit.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@euljiro-back-shelf/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@euljiro-back-shelf/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/index.md)

## In short

MELA Hongdae is a brunch café and restaurant in an alley between Hongik Univ. Station and Mangwon Station in Mapo, Seoul. The meal was MELA's chuck flap steak at 39,900 won plus a 2,500 won sourdough add-on, used to mop up the meat juices and olive oil left on the plate, then a 4,000 won chocolate chip cookie to finish. For anyone who finds steak alone a little unsatisfying, MELA Hongdae's sourdough add-on is worth ordering.

## Good to know

- **MELA's chuck flap steak**: 39,900 won
- **Sourdough add-on**: 4 pieces, 2,500 won
- **Chocolate chip cookie**: 4,000 won
- **Opens**: 9:00 AM
- **Location**: About a 7-minute walk from both Hongik Univ. Station and Mangwon Station (per store info)
- **Address**: 1F, Unit 105, 41 World Cup buk-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- **Price reference**: ₩39,900 ≈ $29 · ₩2,500 ≈ $1.8 · ₩4,000 ≈ $2.9 (2026-09-20)

*as written by the visitor on Sep 19, 2026*

This was a place where, even after finishing the steak, I wasn't ready to have the plate cleared away.

![Chuck flap steak plate at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-01-1tzlv-966.webp)

![Leftover steak juices and olive oil on the plate](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-02-zhcx4-966.webp)

After eating the chuck flap steak, the plate was left with meat juices mixed with olive oil. I dipped the sourdough I'd ordered on the side deep into it, and it felt like I was finally enjoying the steak all the way through.

![A piece of sourdough dipped in the juices](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-03-1kalv-966.webp)

![Chuck flap steak paired with sourdough](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-04-1mx82-966.webp)

Since it's steak served at a brunch café, I went in expecting something fairly light, but I ended up more satisfied than I expected — this is MELA Hongdae, a Hongdae steak spot worth knowing about.

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

![Exterior of MELA Hongdae in the alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-05-9yc9d-966.webp)

MELA sits in an alley between Hongik University and Mangwon stations, a little off the main drag.

![View of the alley between Hongik University and Mangwon stations](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-06-gk5oz-m-966.webp)

You can walk there from either Hongik University Station or Mangwon Station — about 7 minutes from both, according to the store's own guide. It's set back a bit from the bustling main street of Hongdae, so it's a good pick if you want to eat at a slightly more relaxed pace.

## Brunch café or restaurant? MELA Hongdae sits in between

![Brunch café atmosphere inside MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-07-v8qyl-966.webp)

MELA Hongdae felt quite different in atmosphere from a typical steak specialty restaurant. It has the character of a café for brunch and coffee, while also serving proper meal menus like pasta and steak.

![Neatly styled entrance of MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-08-1k96d-966.webp)

The exterior is neatly styled, and stepping inside you notice tables of various shapes and an interior dressed up with little decorative pieces. On one side there's a display of baked goods like croissants, so even if you came for a meal, your eyes naturally drift toward the bread and desserts.

![Table decorated with small props at MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-09-1cn5q-966.webp)

![Display case of baked goods including croissants](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-10-1a47b-966.webp)

Since it opens at 9 a.m., it's great for brunch, but it also didn't feel out of place to visit for a proper steak meal, like I did. If you're looking for a Hongdae steak restaurant but prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, a brunch café setup like this seems like a solid choice.

## MELA's chuck flap steak, 39,900 won

![A plate of MELA's chuck flap steak](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-11-l7je8-966.webp)

![Thick chuck flap steak with garnish on the plate](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-12-14jth-1200.webp)

The main dish I ordered that day was MELA's chuck flap steak for ₩39,900. It's a menu item where MELA serves premium chuck flap with a house-made sauce, and the plate arrived with a thick cut of meat plus garnish — my first impression was less "brunch item" and more a proper main course.

![Sliced cross-section of the chuck flap steak](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-13-pcpm6-966.webp)

Chuck flap is naturally a well-marbled cut, so there was real enjoyment in the juices that came out with every slice.

## Why add the 2,500 won sourdough to the steak?

![The sourdough ordered as an add-on](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-14-urf2h-966.webp)

Partway through the steak, I tried dipping the sourdough into the meat juices and olive oil — and this combination turned out to be more to my liking than I expected.

![Sourdough soaked in meat juices and olive oil](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-15-1oxo6-966.webp)

The bread soaking up everything left behind on the plate after the meat let me enjoy the steak in a whole different way. After eating sourdough soaked in juice and olive oil, I'd go back for another slice of the chuck flap. At ₩2,500 for 4 pieces of sourdough, I personally feel it's a solid add-on if you're already ordering steak.

![Sourdough eaten together with the chuck flap steak](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-16-y1p02-966.webp)

What I liked most was being able to enjoy even the leftover juices on the plate. If you're at a Hongdae steak restaurant and don't want to stop at just the meat, I'd suggest ordering the bread alongside it.

## Finishing at MELA Hongdae with a 4,000 won chocolate chip cookie

I was reminded again that MELA is a brunch café after finishing my meal. They sell various breads including croissants, so after eating, your eyes naturally wander to dessert too.

![Chocolate chip cookie from MELA Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-17-1g5yk-966.webp)

Among those, I picked the chocolate chip cookie for ₩4,000. I ordered it thinking I'd just have a light taste after the steak, but the quality was better than expected, which was satisfying. After a filling meal of steak and sourdough, finishing with a sweet cookie made the whole meal feel neatly wrapped up.

![The chocolate chip cookie chosen as dessert after the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-18-a306k-966.webp)

That day in particular, I had to head back into my afternoon schedule after the meal. Having eaten a great steak and finished things off nicely with dessert, the way I felt going into the afternoon was completely different.

![Table at MELA Hongdae before heading into the afternoon schedule](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-19-1gkn7-966.webp)

I originally went in just thinking I'd try a steak at a brunch café, but after actually eating, what stuck with me was being able to go from a main dish to bread to dessert all in one space.

![A full meal that flowed from main dish to bread to dessert](https://img.superchart.com/images/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough-20-n0106-966.webp)

In particular, the combination of dipping sourdough into the leftover juices and olive oil from the chuck flap steak is something I'd order again next time. If you're looking for a Hongdae steak restaurant tucked away in a quiet alley for a relaxed meal, MELA Hongdae is worth trying for the chuck flap steak and sourdough together.

## 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/@euljiro-back-shelf/mela-hongdae-chuck-flap-steak-sourdough/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt