Pizza pub for big groups in Bangi-dong: roomy 2nd floor at Hope So

Is Hope So in Bangi-dong roomy enough for a group dinner?

Hope So (홉쏘) in Bangi-dong is a wood-fired pizza and pasta pub with an open space and two floors, so there's plenty of room. The scariest part of picking a spot for a get-together is arriving and finding it loud and cramped.

When there are a few of you, table spacing is the first worry, right? I reserved and went in person, and the space really is a step above. Once inside, the open layout and two floors with their roomy seating stood out right away.

Hope So location and opening hours

Hope So is at 21 Wiryeseong-daero 18-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Bangi Station. It is open from 4 PM to 1 AM, with last order at midnight.

Is the 2nd floor at Hope So quiet and comfortable?

Because I had a reservation, they led me straight to the 2nd floor. The ceiling is really high, so the moment I walked up I thought, "This won't feel stuffy." The tables are spaced out enough that I didn't have to worry about the next table's conversation.

The upstairs is much quieter than downstairs, so talking was easy too. That's exactly why a sense of space matters most when you're choosing a spot for a group. I also noticed lots of families. There are dishes kids would like, and the menu is easy to share with a beer.

What we ordered at Hope So and what it cost

At Hope So I went with Peche (₩13,000), a mini margherita (₩14,000) and Kozel Dark (500ml, ₩8,000). At the next tables, a lot of people ordered buffalo wings. They looked quite generous and everyone ate them with beer, so it seemed like a perfect pairing. I'm planning to add the wings next time!

How does Hope So's Pesce taste?

The Peche at Hope So is salty and savory, exactly the kind of thing that makes you want a beer. It isn't greasy and goes down lightly, so I didn't get sick of it even eating it alongside the pizza.

Dough texture of the wood-fired mini margherita

The margherita at Hope So comes straight out of the wood-fired oven, and the dough texture was really different.

Slightly chewy inside, crisp outside, and it's not even comparable to ordinary pizza. One tip: eat it as soon as it arrives. It cools quickly, and it's amazing while warm but a bit disappointing once cold. Also, Hope So lights a candle under the pizza so it doesn't go cold, which kept it warm and was a nice touch!

Pasta texture and the spicy sauce

The noodles in the Hope So pasta are springy, so I think they suit people who love good pasta texture. The sauce soaks well into the noodles, so the flavor stays even to the last bite, which I liked. It's slightly spicy, so if you like heat, I recommend this one!! Even ordered on its own, the portion didn't feel lacking, so the value wasn't bad either.

Kozel Dark and other world beers at Hope So

The Kozel Dark at Hope So is nutty without any bitterness, so even first-time dark beer drinkers will be fine. There's also a big range of world beers, so I think it's perfect for people who love pizza and beer. It would be good for a company dinner too!

Kozel Dark with the margherita's cheese turned out to be a surprisingly perfect match. The three dishes go well together without getting in each other's way, so another plus is that you don't spend long deciding what to order.

Tips for a group or team dinner at Hope So in Bangi-dong

For small gatherings or company dinners of 4 or more, I recommend reserving at Hope So and asking for a 2nd-floor seat. There's plenty of room and the menu combos are easy, so you leave in a good mood right to the end.

Oh, and if you write a Naver receipt review, Hope So gives you a mini patbingsu (shaved ice with sweet red beans). It's a freebie, but the red beans weren't too sweet and it was clean-tasting and honestly really good. It's a perfect way to finish the meal, so I recommend grabbing it too.