Weekend lunch in Seongsu with runny-yolk gnocchi: Kongkase Seongsu

Last weekend I headed out near Seoul Forest to eat something good, and ended up at Kongkase Seongsu 😆 It had a more relaxed vibe than I expected, so it was comfortable to eat there, and since I usually love pasta and Western food I went in excited to see what I'd order 😍 Let me casually introduce the potato gnocchi, lasagna, and iced caffe latte I ordered that day!

Where is Kongkase Seongsu, and what are its hours and parking?

Kongkase Seongsu is on the 1st floor of 11 Wangsimni-ro 5-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, near exit 5 of Seoul Forest Station on the Suin-Bundang Line. Hours are Tue–Fri 11:30–21:30 (break time 15:30–17:00, last order 14:30 / 20:30), and Sat–Sun 11:30–21:30 (break time 16:00–17:00, last order 15:00 / 20:30).

There's no parking on site ❌️ If you're driving, please use a nearby public parking lot!

The exterior is done in brick-red tones so it caught my eye right away! It's right on the main street, so I found it easily even on my first visit 😃 It felt like it matched the Seongsu-dong atmosphere well too!

There's also a standing signboard outside that's designed with a lot of style, so it caught my attention. It matched the overall exterior nicely, feeling clean while still carrying that distinct Seongsu-dong mood :)

Inside Kongkase Seongsu: wood tables with a tree planted in them

Inside, Kongkase Seongsu has a wood-toned interior that feels both classic and cozy :) Everything was clean and tidy overall, making it comfortable to eat there.

There's an actual tree planted in the middle of the long communal table, which was surprising 🙊 It blended in naturally with the table and became a design highlight, making the whole place feel stylish :)

Looking further inside, they had several kinds of wine ready 😆 There was a good range that pairs well with Western dishes, so it looked like a nice spot to set the mood while eating! I just enjoyed the food this time, but next time it might be nice to pair it with a glass of wine and take it slow 🫶🏻

The pre-meal bread at Kongkase Seongsu

After ordering, the pre-meal bread came out first! Warm bread served with a dipping sauce gave a little boost to my appetite :) It was nice to nibble on before the main dishes arrived.

The water bottle also had a simple, clean design that was oddly pretty. It looked good sitting on the table, so I snapped a photo :)

What we ordered at Kongkase Seongsu and what it cost

• ✔️ Potato gnocchi ₩19,000
• ✔️ Lasagna ₩23,000
• ✔️ Iced caffe latte ₩5,500

The round topping on the potato gnocchi is a runny egg yolk

The potato gnocchi I'd been looking forward to among the dishes ordered that day finally arrived! The round gnocchi were plated prettily, and the look alone was pretty appetizing :)

There was one round topping sitting on top of the gnocchi, and at first I thought it might be ricotta cheese! Turns out it was actually a runny egg yolk! When I gently poked it, the yolk oozed right out, which was fun to see haha. Mixing the yolk gently into the gnocchi and sauce added a nutty richness that made everything feel even softer.

It was especially good when I dipped the gnocchi generously into the sauce haha. Nothing was too strong or heavy, so it was easy to eat without feeling weighed down — personally, I'd say this is a menu item worth trying at least once at Kongkase! Next up, the lasagna!

Lasagna stacked with layers of cheese, ₩23,000

Next up, the lasagna I ordered arrived :) Honestly, this one was right up my alley 😍 The cheese and sauce over the layered lasagna looked appetizing just from the sight alone 👍🏻 Taking a bite, the lasagna sheets and sauce came together really well. With the nutty richness of the cheese added in, it tasted like a proper Western dish, and it was even better eaten warm haha. It had a different charm from the potato gnocchi, so ordering both to share worked out nicely!

The layered lasagna paired so well with the sauce that it really is a great choice for a Western dish 👍🏻 I'd definitely recommend the lasagna :)

Is Kongkase Seongsu worth it for a Seoul Forest date?

Lastly, the iced caffe latte we ordered together went well alongside the gnocchi and lasagna, and it wasn't too heavy to drink as a palate cleanser after the meal 👏🏻

Overall, this is a place I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good-vibe Western restaurant around Seoul Forest or Seongsu-dong! With menu options like the gnocchi and lasagna to choose from depending on your taste, and a comfortable interior, it works well as a date spot or a place to eat with friends 🫶🏻 Especially if you're near Seoul Forest looking for good pasta or Western food, it makes a nice course to pair with checking out nearby cafés and Seoul Forest afterward — a place I'd recommend once to anyone hunting for good food around Seoul Forest 👏🏻👏🏻