Teheran-ro Italian restaurant, signature steak pizza: Mano di Chef

I finally managed to match schedules with a friend I think of like a younger sibling for a Gangnam meetup! The time we spent together at Mano di Chef Gangnam was genuinely precious and fun.

Wanting to heal a little with good food and honest conversation in a nice-looking spot, I headed to 'Mano di Chef Gangnam,' already well known near Gangnam Station for its pasta and pizza.

I came away fully satisfied after trying the fantastic bisque pasta and gnocchi and the signature steak pizza in that upscale interior, so here's my honest, detailed visit review ✨

Where is Mano di Chef Gangnam and how do you get there?

Mano di Chef Gangnam sits underground in a building at the heart of the Gangnam Station commercial district — B1, Bithumb Finance Tower, 129 Teheran-ro — so it was really convenient to reach by public transit! The polished, classic exterior stood out from the building entrance, making it easy to find.

Even before stepping inside, there was a romantic, elegant mood, which made me think it'd be perfect for gatherings or dates.

Inside Mano di Chef Gangnam: how far apart are the tables?

Walking into Mano di Chef Gangnam, the hall is far grander and cozier than it looks from outside! Calm lighting paired with wood-tone interiors created a comfortable, elegant mood, like stepping into an upscale restaurant.

The tables were also spaced generously, giving us plenty of room, so my sibling-like friend and I could chat comfortably without worrying about anyone around us — the perfect setting to properly unwind.

What Italian dishes are on the Mano di Chef Gangnam menu?

Once seated, I checked the menu and found a neat lineup of mouthwatering Italian dishes — bisque pasta, gnocchi, steak, wood-fired pizza and more!

There were set menus great for pairing with wine, as well as distinctive signature dishes that let each ingredient shine, so it was easy to order according to taste.

How do the gim pesto & octopus gnocchi and steak pizza taste?

That day we ordered the gim (sea lettuce) pesto & octopus gnocchi for its special flavor, plus the steak pizza, Mano di Chef's signature bestseller!

• Gim pesto & octopus gnocchi: chewy gnocchi came piled with a generous gim pesto sauce full of ocean fragrance, topped with a whole piece of softly grilled octopus — overwhelming just to look at. Crisp outside, chewy inside gnocchi paired with the rich, nutty gim pesto and tender octopus in one bite made umami explode in my mouth!
• Steak pizza: a thin, crisp dough piled mountain-high with fresh salad greens, topped generously with moist, tender steak slices and cheese — Mano di Chef's signature dish. The combination of bright dressing, savory steak and clean dough was excellent, letting me enjoy an upscale flavor all the way through without it feeling heavy.

A Gangnam Italian restaurant for a meal with someone close

Mano di Chef Gangnam feels even more satisfying each visit, not just for the food but for the comfort and ease the space itself offers. Even sitting right in the middle of Gangnam, the interior never feels cramped or chaotic — it's laid out to let you focus on private gatherings or conversation, which is a big plus.

Every ingredient used tasted fresh, with its own flavor fully alive in each bite, and everything paired beautifully with wine or drinks — I felt like you really can't go wrong with the menu here. The transit access is excellent too, so it's an easy, low-pressure spot to set as a meeting place, and the staff's professional yet friendly service kept me at ease throughout the meal.

When the usual meeting spots get boring, or you want to dress up the mood for a special day, this is a place that never fails — I think I'll be coming back often.

If you're near Gangnam looking for a standout bisque pasta or gnocchi, or just a good-atmosphere Italian restaurant, I strongly recommend visiting Mano di Chef Gangnam 👍