Italian restaurant in Cheongdam-dong: Pepite red shrimp risotto

Pepite is a Cheongdam restaurant with a great atmosphere. The chef reportedly comes from Michelin fine dining and brings a delicate Japanese touch to the cooking.

I happened to have plans in Gangnam a week ago, and on the way I wanted a delicious lunch somewhere with a nice vibe, so my boyfriend and I searched for good restaurants in Cheongdam-dong and found [Pepite] (visited September 12, 2026, around noon). Let me walk you through the atmosphere and the food in detail. 🫶🏻

Pepite location, hours and how to reserve

• Location: 25 Dosan-daero 85-gil, 1st floor, Unit 101, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30–22:00 / Fri–Sat 11:30–23:00
• Break: 14:30–17:00 (closed every Sunday)
• Last order: Lunch 13:30 / Dinner 21:00 (Fri–Sat dinner until 22:00)
• Reservations: Catch Table, Naver (free corkage for 1 bottle with Naver reservation)
• Parking: dedicated parking available (valet and parking fees apply)
• Groups welcome (up to 8), baby chairs available

Pepite is on the first floor of the building. The terracotta orange exterior mixed with green plants gives it a lovely European feel〰️ 〰️ 🌿

The door next to the entrance is left wide open, so the indoor and outdoor spaces flow together naturally, and on a nice day it feels just like sitting on a terrace ☁️ The vibe is so good that I thought Pepite would be perfect for a date or a blind date in Gangnam — love just blooms here.

For anyone driving, note that you can get valet parking at the address below.

📍 Valet address: 13 Dosan-daero 85-gil, 1st floor, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Inside Pepite: atmosphere and seating

The interior of Pepite combines deep wood tones, arched windows and chandeliers for a classic, upscale feel.

We sat at a seat with a view outside, and with the door open, it really felt like sitting on a terrace — great.

Besides the terrace-style seats we sat at, there were also group tables, standard tables and bar seats set up in a variety of arrangements.

There's a coat rack on one side of the restaurant, so you can hang up your outerwear comfortably. Nice touch — there's also a storage spot under the table, great for keeping bags or belongings!

The table was neatly set with plates, forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, and even a water bottle... but my boyfriend struggled for a while trying to twist open the water bottle cap. Turns out you just tilt it and the water pours out!

What we ordered at Pepite: red shrimp risotto and white ragu pasta

Pepite's menu has a lunch course as well as à la carte options. We went with the red shrimp risotto, white ragu pasta, and a San Pellegrino Limonata lemon soda!

First came the drink, San Pellegrino lemon 🍋 The tang of lemon and the fizzy bubbles were great for cleansing the palate between bites of the rich pasta and risotto.

It has a clearly tart flavor that refreshes your mouth, so I'd recommend it if you want to set a nice mood without alcohol.

And finally, the main dishes arrive — ⭐️ red shrimp risotto and ragu pasta ⭐️

A spicy seafood risotto and a savory, hearty ragu pasta — two completely different-looking dishes! Placed side by side, the colors were beautiful and the combination looked so appetizing, don't you think?!

Red shrimp risotto: bisque sauce and plump shrimp

The first thing we tried was the red shrimp risotto! It's a spicy risotto with red shrimp, saffron and bisque sauce. One bite and the rich smell of the sea hit me right away〰️ The bisque sauce, packed with the umami of shrimp, soaked into every grain of rice — seafood lovers are really going to love this one,,🤤

The curly topping that looks like seaweed is actually red frill, a type of red mustard leaf. Its sharp, slightly bitter flavor cut through the rich bisque sauce and freshened it up nicely!

But,,, the real star here is the red shrimp!!! The shrimp were huge and plump, and they burst the moment you bit into them.

The firm flesh was packed with sweet shrimp juice, giving it a luxurious flavor almost like eating lobster 🦐 If you go to Pepite, you absolutely have to try this!! (Highly recommend)

White ragu pasta: a deeply meaty style

Next up was the white ragu pasta, generously topped with a ragu sauce simmered for a long time. Usually when you think of ragu, you picture a red tomato sauce, but this one leans into the deep flavor of meat rather than tomato's tanginess.

You can tell just from the photo how much meat went into this! The finely broken-down meat clung to the noodles, so every bite came loaded with meat 👍🏻

Maybe because the ragu sauce had been simmered for so long, you could really taste the deep, rich umami of the meat, plus the savoriness of cheese made it quite intense. My boyfriend, who loves meat, especially preferred the white ragu pasta, saying he could taste the ragu in every bite haha. It wasn't a pasta loaded with just sauce — it genuinely felt like eating a hearty portion of meat, very satisfying!

What is the restroom at Pepite like?

After finishing our meal full and happy, let me leave a little info on something people are always curious about — the restroom! Even the hallway leading to it was decorated with chandeliers and angel wing accents, carrying through the restaurant's upscale atmosphere.

The inside was kept clean in black tones, and the soft indirect lighting gave the whole space a sophisticated feel. The hand sanitizer was even Byredo,, 👍🏻 Even in small details like this, you could feel Pepite's premium touch.

Everything from Febreze to cotton swabs to hair ties was thoughtfully prepared. Great for freshening up smells on your clothes or fixing your hair after the meal. With this level of attention to even the small things, I left feeling good until the very end 🫶🏻

Is Pepite worth it? Final verdict

The bisque risotto with its impressive plump red shrimp, and the hearty white ragu loaded with meat — both dishes had a strong presence of ingredients and deep flavor. The restaurant's calm atmosphere and generously spaced tables made it a great place to chat slowly with my boyfriend over a meal. If you're looking for a great date course in Gangnam or want to try something different in Cheongdam-dong pasta, give Pepite a visit!