Gogi-ri, Yongin restaurant at sunset: mushroom sabayon, Pig Mie-eul

What is Pig Mie-eul in Gogi-ri, Yongin like?

Pig Mie-eul (피그미엘, Figue et Miel) is a European-style dining restaurant in a converted house, tucked inside near Nine Block in Gogi-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin. It has a large private parking lot, so you can get to Gogi-ri without worrying about parking.

Sometimes you want to step out of everyday life and spend time entirely on yourself. At those moments you crave the comfort of a forest and carefully made food. Pig Mie-eul in Gogi-dong, Yongin, which I visited recently, was exactly that kind of place.

Like its name, which means "fig" and "honey," the concept of a place where sweet time lingers was clear from the entrance. Heading inside past Nine Block, I came upon a grand converted house. Best of all was the large private parking lot. Arriving without the stress of a parking war, it felt like the healing had already begun. 🍃

Inside Pig Mie-eul: the dining room

The interior is vintage with warm wood tones, so it makes you feel like you've wandered into a restaurant in some European country village. Maybe thanks to the low lighting and softly flowing music, the surrounding noise fades and you can focus entirely on the conversation with your companions. It feels private yet relaxed, which makes it perfect for a special day. 🕯️

What is the sunset forest view like from Pig Mie-eul's window seats?

Sit at an inner window seat at Pig Mie-eul and the Gogi-ri mountain view opens up beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. We were guided to an inner window seat, and it was truly surreal. I was clearly indoors, yet it felt like I was facing the forest outside.

It feels like a weight lifting off my chest.

It happened to be the time when the sunset was beginning, and just sitting there in a daze, watching the color of the light change, was romantic enough.

Of course, weekend reservations at Pig Mie-eul are competitive and the prices are a little high, but considering the atmosphere, the quality of the food and the service, I was plenty satisfied. If you want a quiet rest in the forest with a carefully made meal, I can't think of a better option.

What did we order at Pig Mie-eul?

At Pig Mie-eul we ordered three roasted mushrooms with sabayon, margherita pizza and juicy charcoal chicken, and a gim bugak (crispy seaweed) dish came out as a starter. I had high expectations because the place is said to carry the touch of a Michelin-background chef. The first thing that caught my eye on the menu was the "three roasted mushrooms with sabayon." Then we ordered a few other things too.

Starter: gim bugak (crispy fried seaweed) dish

A gim bugak dish came out as the starter.

Ta-da! Appetite successfully awakened!

How were the three roasted mushrooms with sabayon?

The mushrooms were grilled well with a smoky char, and with the egg-yolk-based sabayon sauce added, they seemed to melt in the mouth. On a day with a chilly wind, that warm, soft savoriness was perfect for stirring up the appetite.

Pig Mie-eul's signature margherita pizza

The margherita pizza that followed lives up to being Pig Mie-eul's signature. They say the dough is aged at low temperature for 48 hours, and maybe that's why the texture is clearly different.

With the chewy yet plain-tasting dough, generous cheese and deep tomato sauce coming together, it felt like a classic dish reinterpreted in Pig Mie-eul's own way. I can't forget that smoky flavor fresh from the oven. 🍕

How was the main course, juicy charcoal chicken?

The juicy charcoal chicken I chose as the main was better than I expected. The slowly grilled chicken was packed with juices and had an intense smoky flavor. With porcini sauce and seasonal vegetables alongside, the layers of flavor were clear. It was amazing to taste such a polished charcoal dish in Gogi-ri. Pizza and pasta is a good combination too, but making this dish your main completes a much more upscale course.

Service at Pig Mie-eul and would I go back?

The attentive service from the owner and staff at Pig Mie-eul also raised the dignity of the meal. Seeing them take care of the requests I'd made at booking one by one, I felt that the care goes beyond the ingredients to how they treat guests.

If you're looking for a Gogi-ri restaurant where atmosphere, taste and kindness are in harmony, I'd recommend Pig Mie-eul without hesitation. I hear the menu is updated a little each season, so I plan to visit again soon to see the forest in another season.