Hapjeong pizzeria dinner, homemade pickles: Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza

A freshly baked wood-fired pizza and a cold beer! Add some memories and it's the perfect date~!

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is a Hapjeong pizzeria where I was so happy to enjoy freshly baked wood-fired pizza together with rich, creamy pasta. Today I spent a lovely time at a place full of memories, Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza, famous as a Hapjeong go-to for Hongdae pizza.

What is Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza?

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is an Italian restaurant in Hapjeong centered on pizza baked in a wood-fired oven (hwadeok), with plenty of pastas and drinks too. It was once featured on the TV show Saengsaeng Jeongbotong, and it has kept the same spot for over 10 years, haha.

I decided to have a cozy date with my sister after a long time, and while searching around for a nice place for a lovely dinner, I headed to this place of memories, Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza! Haha, the old memories came flooding back, you know? Both the food and the atmosphere are charming, so a lot of people come here for dates.

How to get to Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza and opening hours

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is a 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station exits 5 and 6. It's also close to Sangsu Station and the main Hongdae street, so it's very easy to reach.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived was the sparkling lights. Lights were strung all around the sign, and together with the brick exterior they gave off a warm mood, haha. The interior seen through the windows looked cozy too, so my expectations were sky-high before I even went in~!

• Address: 1F, 5 Dongmak-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Hours: 11:30 am – 10 pm
• Break time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
• Last order: 30 minutes before closing
• Closed every Tuesday
• Corkage (paid), takeout/delivery available, CESCO Members (pest-control certified)
• Naver reservation: 1+1 coupon for wine ade

Inside Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza: Polaroid wall and open kitchen

Inside, the wooden tables and warm lighting felt comfortable. The Polaroid photos covering the walls were especially striking, and looking at them while waiting for the food was quite fun.

It felt like peeking at the memories of the guests who had visited. Everyone looked so happy that I couldn't stop smiling, haha. I told my sister it had a Minto kind of feeling, and she said I was old-school, and we laughed for ages. Apparently it's a vibe from that era that kids these days might not know, lol.

There are tables all the way to the back, so seating is fairly roomy. The mood is so good that I thought it would suit a date with a partner or a group of friends. It also has an open kitchen, so you can watch the food being prepared, and what caught my eye most was the huge wood-fired oven! Knowing the pizza gets baked in there made my mouth water already~!!

Our table was already set with small plates and cutlery, and there was a detailed description of Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza that's worth reading. They use fresh ingredients and make everything in-house, from the sauces to the pickles, so I was really looking forward to the taste.

How to order at Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza: tips to know

You view the menu and order on the tablet at each table. Pizza can be ordered half-and-half, and pickles are served only on request, so don't forget~ haha.

There were many kinds of pizza and pasta, and a good lineup of drinks to go with them, so you can match them to your taste. The wine was reasonably priced too~ And being able to pick your own halves with half-and-half is the biggest plus of Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza, haha.

Let me also tell you about the review event running now~ If you turn on notifications and leave a Naver review, they give you a drink!

What did two of us order, and how much did it cost?

• Quattro Stagioni (꽈뜨로스타지오네) ₩26,000
• Gamberi Crema Penne (감베리크레마펜네) ₩18,500
• Terra draft beer ₩6,000

We chose the Quattro Stagioni, which lets you taste four flavors at once, and since you can choose the pasta shape, we ordered penne. A cold draft beer to go with it, of course, haha.

Homemade pickles at Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza

The cold draft beer, pickles and honey came out first. Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza really is a pickle place. They're crunchy, not too sweet and pleasantly tangy, great for whetting the appetite. I highly recommend trying them.

How does the Quattro Stagioni pizza taste?

The Quattro Stagioni came with cheese and toppings piled invitingly on a golden-baked crust, set on a solid-fuel burner so it wouldn't go cold. Thanks to that, we could enjoy it warm down to the last slice. The pizza we'd been waiting for finally arrived~! It caught my eye right from the look of it.

The biggest charm of the Quattro Stagioni is getting four best-selling pizzas on one pie! There's the Quattro Formaggi with the full flavor of assorted cheeses, the Margherita, the basic of basics with tomato sauce, cheese and basil, the Croccante with its crispy texture, and the Diavola with a spicy kick~!! It's perfect if you're indecisive, haha, or feel one or two flavors just aren't enough, lol.

Above all, the aroma of a freshly baked wood-fired pizza.. wow~ it was truly the best! The edges had an appetizing char, and the dough was chewy with a nutty flavor. Each topping had its own personality, so every slice felt different. A great choice, lol. If you want to enjoy the variety of Hapjeong-Hongdae pizza all at once, I totally recommend the Quattro Stagioni!

Crispy, chewy wood-fired pizza and a sip of cold beer. Pizza and beer (pimaek) is love, after all~♡

Is the Gamberi Crema Penne too rich?

The Gamberi Crema Penne had the smoothness of a cream pasta with an added spicy kick, so it wasn't heavy at all. The cheese was melted golden by the heat of the oven, so it looked appetizing, and it even had plump shrimp, so I really enjoyed it.

It would be a pity to stop at pizza~ lol. The thick cream sauce soaked deep between the penne, and one bite filled my mouth with richness. I scraped up every bit of sauce, haha. Chatting with my sister about little everyday things, I didn't even notice the time passing, haha. With good food and memories together, it was an even happier time~

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza in one line

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza, where I could taste not only delicious food but also the memories and warmth left all around.

From the Polaroids covering the walls to the softly glowing lights, the atmosphere of Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza made me want to stay long and chat quietly. Some places are remembered for the delicious food, but others stay with you because of the moments you spent there and the people you were with, right~ Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza was a place where you can feel that kind of warmth.

If you want to make special memories with a friend you haven't seen in a while or someone dear over good food in a nice setting, or if you're looking for a Hapjeong go-to for Hongdae pizza, Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is well worth a visit~ haha. It was a day of sharing memories and enjoying delicious food!