Waffle chicken with maple syrup and a Stella at Hey Joji, Yeonnam-dong

• A charming, vintage American-home-style restaurant near exit 3 of Hongik University Station in Yeonnam-dong
• Crispy-outside, juicy-inside waffle chicken pairs beautifully with the rich jambon butter cheddar pasta
• Wide table spacing makes it a great pick for a relaxed Yeonnam-dong date where you can actually talk

A Yeonnam-dong restaurant, a Yeonnam-dong pasta spot, a Hongdae pasta favorite — Hey Joji.

I made plans with a close friend in Yeonnam-dong after a while and went looking for somewhere good, which is how I ended up here. I always thought I knew Yeonnam-dong well, but I only just discovered this hidden gem tucked along the alley outside exit 3 — haha. Walking down the cute little alley, there was actually a lot to look at along the way.

Finding the Yeonnam-dong pasta spot

Coming out of exit 3 of Hongik University Station and walking slowly along the Donggyo-ro alley, you'll spot a ground-floor restaurant that clearly stands out among the cute little shops. That's Hey Joji, the American-vintage-vibe Hongdae pasta spot I'm introducing today!

If you're driving, I'd recommend the nearby Yeonnam-dong roadside public parking lot or the Yeonnam 1 public parking lot. But honestly, taking the subway and strolling over slowly might be the better call, since there's so much charm to take in along Yeonnam-dong's alleyways.

An interior like an American countryside home

The moment I opened the door and stepped in, it really felt like walking into a cozy American countryside home.

The vintage props on the walls paired with soft lighting had me taking photos before I'd even sat down — haha.

There were actually several foreign guests dining there too, and for a moment it felt like being at a brunch café somewhere abroad!

The tables were also spaced out generously, so we could chat comfortably without worrying about noise from nearby tables...

The Yeonnam-dong pasta menu and our order

Sitting down and reading through the menu, all sorts of unique, varied Western dishes caught my eye.

We ordered the famous signature waffle chicken along with the jambon butter cheddar pasta, whose name alone made us curious.

We also decided to add a cold Stella lager, since good food deserves good beer! For food and atmosphere of this quality right in the heart of Yeonnam-dong's hot spot area, I thought the prices at this Hongdae pasta restaurant were quite reasonable.

Waffle chicken, a sweet-salty combo with maple syrup

First to hit the table was the waffle chicken, which grabbed our attention with its looks alone. The pasta came out right after, so we could eat both together — which was nice. It's a small thing, but at places where dishes come out with a big gap between them, it's actually hard to get good photos, haha.

A golden, crispy waffle topped with big, tender pieces of chicken — the kind of presentation that makes your mouth water instantly.

Drizzle on the sweet maple syrup and take a bite of chicken and waffle together, and the sweet-salty sauce spreads through your whole mouth. Crispy outside, juicy chicken inside, meeting the nutty waffle flavor — such a perfect match, and really delicious!?

So how does the jambon butter cheddar pasta taste?

Next came the jambon butter cheddar pasta, with generous piles of red jambon over a yellow cheddar cheese sauce — a real treat for the eyes too.

The combination of savory jambon, rich cheddar cheese flavor, and a subtly umami broth-based sauce was truly excellent. The thick sauce clung to every strand of pasta, and honestly, I ended up scooping every last bit up with a spoon...

The fragrant arugula cut through what could have been a heavy dish, and with a sip of cold Stella lager on top, the day's fatigue just melted away. I really enjoyed my meal at this Yeonnam-dong hot spot, Hey Joji! If you're ever in the area, definitely give it a try.