Restaurant inside Myeongdong Cathedral: doenjang pasta at Seventy Four

Where we ate after mass: Seventy Four at Myeongdong Cathedral

After Sunday mass, my husband and I were starving and looking for somewhere to eat nearby, and that's how we ended up at Seventy Four — a place I've actually been to many times with the sisters from church. This time I went as part of a press trip! ><

Where is Seventy Four Myeongdong Cathedral? First floor of the Familia Chapel

It's located on the first floor of Familia Chapel at Myeongdong Cathedral! Tons of people come in right after mass ends. In fall you can also use the terrace seating, which makes for an even better time.

What I learned about Seventy Four on this visit

Honestly, because it's inside Myeongdong Cathedral's Familia Chapel, I just assumed it was some kind of cathedral cafeteria (like the place you go when there's nowhere else). But it turns out I was the only one who didn't know — this is a genuine hit restaurant. It's an Italian place famous for doenjang (soybean paste) pasta and cream risotto, and honestly the dining quality was on par with famous spots in Seorae Village or Cheongdam!!

There's the sign — cute lettering. It's a café/brunch/pasta hybrid (the door says COFFEE, BRUNCH, PASTA, DESSERT, WINE), and this is the one and only entrance!

Walking inside, it was way bigger than I expected, with rose decorations and an open kitchen that gave it a surprisingly sophisticated vibe. Being a weekend lunch, there were quite a few people around.

Seventy Four menu and prices

Even the leather-bound menu felt upscale. Let's think about what to order.

There was a good variety of appetizers, salads, and pizzas, ranging from ₩16,000 to ₩29,000. I usually gravitate toward signature dishes, since you can't get them anywhere else and they tend to be the best on the menu.

What really caught our eye was the pasta and risotto page. Among those, the dishes labeled '74 Signature' jumped right out at us. Perilla leaf doenjang pasta, kimchi risotto, bulgogi risotto — the theme seemed to be Korean ingredients reimagined in Italian style.

After ordering, let's get on the Wi-Fi. Yours truly is on a ₩19,000/month data plan, so I'm always chasing Wi-Fi hahahaha (my husband absolutely hates this about me).

Inside Seventy Four: interior and seating

There are group seats like this, hall seats like the ones we sat at, and the ones that looked best of all were the terrace seats.

The people eating under the parasols looked so relaxed. (I'm definitely sitting there next time.) On a nice day, sitting out there with a glass of wine and a pizza sounds absolutely perfect.

While I was eating and heading to the restroom, I noticed this sign. Since a lot of foreign visitors come here, it's written in English too, haha, cute.

How do the chamnamul doenjang pasta and bacon mushroom cream risotto taste?

We ordered the perilla leaf doenjang pasta and the bacon mushroom cream risotto, and they came out about 10 minutes after ordering.

The doenjang pasta had a whole cube steak inside, so the juices burst out the moment you bit into it. The savory depth of the doenjang paired with the perilla leaf's fragrance surprisingly well — I couldn't put my fork down. The cream risotto genuinely surprised me with how al dente the rice still was.

Close-up time. It had bacon, broccoli, and mushrooms in it, so every bite felt hearty and savory. Please try this — is there barley mixed in there? It had a wonderfully chewy texture, honestly amazing. This suddenly made me think of my mother-in-law — I should come back for a date with her and my godmother (who's her friend).

Is Seventy Four worth a trip to Myeongdong?

We wandered in here by chance after mass at Myeongdong Cathedral, and it turned out to be way tastier and better-atmosphered than expected — a completely satisfying weekend lunch. Highly recommend this place if you want a solid meal nearby right after mass!