Free-corkage brunch café in Yeonnam-dong: fruit toast at Hippo

Hello 😋 I visited Hippo Brunch House, known for its sentimental interior and appealing brunch menu.

• 📍 85 Seongmisan-ro 17-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 1st floor
• ⏰ Daily 09:00–21:30 (last order 20:30)
• 🚘 Parking at nearby public lots, via the Modoo Parking Lot app
• ✔️ Corkage available (free)
• 🐶 Dogs welcome

What does the seasonal fruit toast at Hippo Brunch House taste like?

Hippo Brunch House's seasonal fruit toast is a dessert toast piled high with fresh fig and banana. Paired with sweet syrup and soft cream on golden-toasted bread, it's really sweet and refreshing.

This Yeonnam-dong favorite is made by a chef team with experience from hotels to Michelin restaurants, so every menu item felt extra exciting ✨

Chocolate milk at Hippo Brunch House

🍫 Chocolate milk — a drink with a rich, nutty chocolate aroma. It's full of sweetness, perfect for a little mood lift.

How is the americano?

☕ Americano — coffee with a striking nutty, clean flavor. It's packed with cold ice, making it pair well with the brunch dishes.

What's on the Hippo Brunch House menu?

Hippo Brunch House's menu is broad, spanning plates, pasta, salads, fried sides, and drinks. You can pick anything from a full brunch meal to a side snack all in one place.

[Plate & American] Brunch All The Way, Avocado Open Toast, Crème Anglaise Toast, Hippo Mouse Plate, Grilled Bacon Toast, Philly Cheesesteak Burger, Prime Galbisal Steak

[Rice & Noodle] Basil Cream Paccheri, Burrata Cold Pasta, Ragu Pasta, Spicy Aglio Olio, Sweet Pumpkin Tteokbokki, Cream Squid Rice Bowl, Kimchi Fried Rice

[Small dish & Fry] Oriental Shrimp Salad, Burrata Fruit Salad, Beef Steak Salad, Garlic Baguette, Custard Pudding, Truffle Cream Soup, Sweet Pumpkin Cheese Soup, Tomato Bacon Soup, Chili Cream French Fries, Regular French Fries, Aged Cheese

[Coffee & Drink & Tea] Latte, Vanilla, Mocha, Earl Grey Latte, Hippo Vienna, Orange Mango Juice, Fresh Strawberry Milk, Royal Milk Tea, Peach Ade, Green Grape Ade, Zero Cola, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, English Breakfast, Chamomile, Stella Artois, Glass Wine (Red/White)

Hippo Brunch House has also been selected as a Red Ribbon restaurant for three years running. Having that kind of verified reputation made me even more excited haha.

Ground floor, basement and terrace seating in Yeonnam-dong

The moment you step into Hippo Brunch House, you can feel a modern yet vintage sensibility everywhere. The concrete-textured walls blend with tasteful posters for a sophisticated look. Along with the indoor bar table and cozy sofa seats, there's even terrace seating, so you can pick whichever mood you're in the mood for.

Despite being underground, the basement space didn't feel cramped at all — it actually felt cozy and comfortable. The tables are spaced generously, so it would work well for a Yeonnam-dong wedding invitation gathering or group meetup, and also for a date!

The outdoor terrace has parasols and patio chairs set up, so it's really great for enjoying the outdoor atmosphere. Inside, you can tell they put thought into every lighting fixture and prop, making it a fantastic spot for photos too.

Why Hippo Brunch House works with dogs and kids

Hippo Brunch House's biggest strength is being able to handle a meal, dessert, and drinks all in one spot. With such a wide menu selection, it's easy to enjoy according to your taste. I also really loved the sentimental interior, where each space has its own distinct charm.

Walking through the alleys of Yeonnam-dong, you'll spot the pretty, European-feeling entrance right away 🤍 Since it's a large brunch café converted from a house, there's a variety of spaces from the ground floor to the basement to the outdoor terrace! It's a great place to visit with pets as well as young children.

The staff were also friendly, making it a place where you can spend a comfortable, enjoyable time. I'd definitely recommend visiting whenever you're craving something special for brunch.