# Gangnam Italian restaurant with free birthday pizza: Mano di Chef

- By Doha Jang (https://superchart.com/en/@euljiro-wooden-tray/)
- Written Sep 20, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Gangnam, Seoul
- Sponsored: This visit was hosted, with the meal provided by the restaurant.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@euljiro-wooden-tray/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@euljiro-wooden-tray/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/index.md)

## In short

Mano di Chef Gangnam is an Italian restaurant on the B1 level of Bithumb Finance Tower in Gangnam, Seoul, within a 10-minute walk of Yeoksam Station Exit 4, and it won a Blue Ribbon two years running in 2025 and 2026. The order here was sea mustard pesto & octopus potato gnocchi, red shrimp aglio e olio pasta and a Margherita pizza: tender octopus, big red shrimp and chewy handmade dough, plus a free pizza for anyone whose birthday falls that month. Prices look high at first, but the seafood quality makes sense of them, so Mano di Chef Gangnam suits blind dates, anniversaries and meals with parents.

## Good to know

- **Location**: B1, Bithumb Finance Tower, 129 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (within a 10-minute walk of Yeoksam Station Exit 4)
- **Hours**: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:30
- **Break time**: Mon–Sun 15:00–17:00
- **Last order**: Mon–Fri 14:00–20:30 / Sat 14:50–20:30 / Sun 14:50–20:00
- **Parking**: Free parking available
- **Reservations**: Phone, Naver, Catch Table
- **Seating**: From a private room for 8 up to 100 guests
- **Dinner menu**: 17:00–21:00 Korean beef steak with unlimited wine dinner, lobster
- **Birthday perk**: One free pizza if it is your birthday month
- **What was ordered**: Sea mustard pesto & octopus potato gnocchi, red shrimp aglio e olio pasta, Margherita pizza

*as written by the visitor on Sep 20, 2026*

I've never been to a fancy Italian restaurant before, but I heard there was one in Yeoksam with elegant interiors and fresh ingredients, so I went to check out this Gangnam bisque pasta spot!

## Where is Mano di Chef Gangnam, and what are the hours?

- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:30
- Break time: Mon–Sun 15:00–17:00
- Last order: Mon–Fri 14:00–20:30 / Saturday 14:50–20:30 / Sunday 14:50–20:00
- Free parking available

![Walking route to Mano di Chef Gangnam in the Bithumb Finance Tower basement near Yeoksam Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-01-yu91e-900.webp)

![Exterior view of Bithumb Finance Tower, home to Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-02-py3q5-900.webp)

This Gangnam bisque pasta spot, Mano di Chef Gangnam, is located in the basement level of Bithumb Finance Tower, less than 10 minutes on foot straight from Exit 4 of Yeoksam Station.

![Entrance to Mano di Chef Gangnam on basement level 1 of Bithumb Finance Tower](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-03-1hzj6-900.webp)

![Exterior signage of Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-04-jmve1-900.webp)

Apparently, MANO in the name of Mano di Chef Gangnam, this Gangnam bisque pasta spot I visited today, means the chef's hand responsible for delicious Italian cooking, and DI CHEF represents the chef's passion, trust, and honesty toward Italian food.

![Entrance of Mano di Chef Gangnam displaying its Blue Ribbon mark](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-05-c5em2-900.webp)

![Counter at Mano di Chef Gangnam decorated with wine bottles](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-06-ypsqi-900.webp)

## Blue Ribbon two years running: reservations and seating

Walking into Mano di Chef Gangnam, I found out it's a Gangnam Station restaurant that has received the Blue Ribbon award two years running, in 2025 and 2026! The counter area is decorated with wine bottles around it, which really got me excited for what the food would taste like.

I reserved by phone, though you can also book through Naver or Catch Table, and apparently there's seating that ranges from private small rooms for 8 people up to 100 people total!

## Menu lineup and the free birthday-month pizza

![First page of the Mano di Chef Gangnam menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-07-d2lpj-900.webp)

From various couple sets to pasta, gnocchi, and wine, the menu was really varied, and everything looked so delicious that I agonized over it for a while.

![Couple set menu page at Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-08-rb8si-900.webp)

![Pasta and gnocchi menu page at Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-09-raypm-900.webp)

![À la carte menu page at Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-10-1keu5-900.webp)

![Menu page for the Korean beef steak and unlimited wine dinner](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-11-18nwx-900.webp)

![Wine list menu page at Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-12-115o8-900.webp)

Besides the set menus, you can also order à la carte, and from 17:00 to 21:00 you can get a Korean beef steak and unlimited wine dinner, and they even sell lobster. This Gangnam bisque pasta spot is known for capturing each season's freshness with locally sourced ingredients, so I ordered the sea mustard pesto & octopus gnocchi, the red shrimp aglio e olio pasta, and a Margherita pizza.

By the way, apparently if it's your birth month you get a pizza for one free — a bit disappointing since I'm born in October... I should've gone a little later, haha!

## Is Mano di Chef Gangnam good for a blind date or anniversary?

![Upscale interior of Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-13-zzh4u-900.webp)

The interior of this Gangnam bisque pasta spot was truly upscale, and it looked like a wonderful place for couples on blind dates or anniversaries to have a date.

![Table seating at Mano di Chef Gangnam, ideal for dates](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-14-iuiqu-m-900.webp)

![Dining hall lighting and seating atmosphere at Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-15-vyyjj-m-900.webp)

With Christmas only about two months away, this is a Gangnam Station restaurant with a classy atmosphere that's great for a date with a partner, and just as fitting for a meal with parents.

## Sea mustard pesto & potato gnocchi: the octopus stands out

![Potato gnocchi plated with sea mustard pesto and octopus](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-16-1sb0c-900.webp)

![A plate of sea mustard pesto potato gnocchi at Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-17-zog9w-900.webp)

The first dish to arrive was the potato gnocchi. I ordered it because it's a popular menu item, and the plating immediately caught my eye — it made me take dozens of photos.

![Close-up of large octopus pieces on the potato gnocchi](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-18-fcbzm-900.webp)

![Fork lifting tender octopus and potato gnocchi](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-19-2yapu-900.webp)

The sauce base of the sea mustard pesto had a savory sea mustard flavor with a special gorgonzola added, and even though it was my first time trying it, there was no strangeness — just a smooth, creamy feel. The potato gnocchi were quite large in size. It seemed like a lot of potato went into the gnocchi — the potato aroma was so strong I wondered if the gnocchi I usually eat even has potato in it at all.

But what impressed me most was the octopus. The octopus pieces were large, and it was the most tender octopus I've ever eaten. When I bit into it, it just gave way cleanly — I'd never had octopus this soft before!

## Red shrimp aglio e olio, the signature pasta

![A plate of aglio e olio pasta topped with red shrimp](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-20-r19p7-900.webp)

Next up was the red shrimp aglio e olio pasta. Apparently this is Mano di Chef Gangnam's signature dish, made with natural red shrimp, garlic, peperoncino, and olive oil.

![Ink-black noodles with four red shrimp in aglio e olio](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-21-1cc0e-900.webp)

The noodles were jet black, as if squid ink had been added. But there was no distinct ink flavor to the noodles themselves — just a chewy yet very smooth texture. On top of the pasta were four red shrimp, each one large in size! The oily richness of the aglio e olio finished with a savory, salty note that kept me reaching back for more.

## Margherita pizza: is the portion big enough?

![Margherita pizza topped with mozzarella and basil](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-22-jnevk-900.webp)

![A slice of Margherita pizza showing the chewy handmade dough](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-23-10v0z-900.webp)

Last was my beloved Margherita pizza! The moment it arrived, it had that '-oh, this is handmade dough' look to it. The tomato sauce wasn't spread on soggy, and with mozzarella and basil on top it looked rustic, but the dough was wonderfully chewy.

The size was bigger than I expected. I had this bias that, being a Yeoksam Blue Ribbon restaurant, the portions would be small like an omakase course, but the pizza was large and the pasta portion was just right too.

## Final verdict on Mano di Chef Gangnam

![Pasta and pizza set out on the table at Mano di Chef Gangnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian/mano-di-chef-gangnam-blue-ribbon-italian-24-1h34l-1200.webp)

Today I visited Mano di Chef Gangnam, a Yeoksam Blue Ribbon restaurant that's won the award two years running in 2025 and 2026. It was truly a restaurant with an atmosphere great for blind dates, anniversaries, and dates in general.

Personally, when I first saw the prices, I thought they were expensive, but once I actually received the food, the seafood quality was so good that I felt this price range made sense. Chuseok is coming up soon — this would be lovely to visit with parents, and if you're looking for a Gangnam Station restaurant to go to with a girlfriend or boyfriend for an anniversary, I'd recommend Mano di Chef Gangnam.

## Where it is

- Mano di Chef Gangnam (마노디셰프 강남점)
- B1, Bithumb Finance Tower, 129 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로 129 빗썸금융타워 B1
- 37.4999326, 127.0323679
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%A7%88%EB%85%B8%EB%94%94%EC%85%B0%ED%94%84%20%EA%B0%95%EB%82%A8%EC%A0%90/@37.4999326,127.0323679,17z

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