Naebang pie shop: walnut pie as a workout snack, Hodukkakki Brothers

What is Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch near Naebang Station like?

Hodukkakki Brothers (호두까끼형제) Bangbae branch is a handmade pie shop that uses only organic butter and no refined sugar. Its fame began at Yangjae Station, and this is the second shop, which opened near Naebang Station. One Sunday evening I had a hearty dinner in Gyodae and was heading home when I suddenly craved something sweet but healthy, so I stopped by Bangbae. I watch my health, so I usually avoid sugar-loaded, over-the-top desserts. When I heard about a healthy handmade pie shop like this, I hurried over.

The shop closes at 7:30 PM on Sundays, so I called ahead to check and arrived around 7 PM. Even though it was late, the owner welcomed me so kindly that the place warmed my heart from the first impression. The exterior looked clean and charming too.

Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch: hours, parking and facilities

• Location: 21-1 Seocho-daero 27-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, JL Building, Unit 101 on the 1st floor (near Naebang Station)
• Hours: weekdays 10:30–20:00, Sat–Sun 10:30–19:30
• Parking: the shop has no lot of its own, but the public parking lot at the nearby culture center is convenient.
• Reservations and amenities: group visits, takeout, delivery, reservations and Wi-Fi available
• Restroom: the restroom in the building can be used

Is it good for sitting in or working on a laptop?

Inside Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch there is cozy seating for eating in, and they sell a variety of drinks that go well with the pies.

The atmosphere is quiet and calm, so I thought it would be great to bring a laptop later to study or prepare for an oral exam, that kind of personal reset. There are seats from a single seat up to a group table for 6, so it looks very versatile.

How are Hodukkakki Brothers pies made?

Hodukkakki Brothers has so many regulars that it has been featured on SBS's Live Today (생방송투데이) and on a well-known YouTube channel. It's a Bangbae favorite.

Every pie is made entirely by hand, so the effort is enormous. Above all, I loved that they boldly cut sugar and other things that are bad for you, and use only organic butter and good ingredients with health in mind.

Ordering a whole walnut pie and a macadamia cheese pie

At Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch I took away a whole walnut pie with 8 slices and a macadamia cheese pie. Walnuts are my favorite nut, so without a second thought I ordered the whole pie with 8 slices of nothing but walnut pie.

I also love fragrant macadamias, so I ordered the cheese pie piled high with macadamias too.

For handmade pies made with good ingredients and a lot of time, the quality is packed and yet the price felt reasonable. Everything in them is good for you, so at this price I couldn't help thinking it's a total bargain (we Koreans say "Hyeja"), and I vowed to come often. Once I had ordered, the owner wrapped everything up quickly and neatly.

Do they explain how to store the pies when you take them away?

When you take pies away from Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch, they include a printed note on freezing and on when and how to eat them for the best taste. They explained it so carefully and kindly that I was touched.

All the way home I could hardly wait to try them, haha. I ate this batch as pre- and post-workout snacks and as late-night bites, and they were very handy for that.

How did the macadamia cheese pie taste?

The Hodukkakki Brothers macadamia cheese pie was a hefty pie with rich cheese flavor and the crunch of macadamias. On Monday I came home after a sweaty workout, and in the hungry hours before bed I took out the macadamia cheese pie first as a late-night snack.

The moment I bit in, the rich cheese flavor and the crunch of macadamias filled my mouth. It was quite big and heavy to finish at night, so I saved about half and had it Tuesday morning as an after-meal dessert. Eaten cold, it got that dense, fudgy texture back, which was a different kind of charm.

How sweet is the sugar-free walnut pie?

The Hodukkakki Brothers walnut pie has no artificial sweetness: crisp outside, moist inside, and the nutty, plain flavor of walnuts rises the more you chew. For the star of the show, I've been taking out one slice at a time as a snack to charge up before working out. The natural flavor of the ingredients comes through, and probably because there's no refined sugar, there's no artificial sweetness at all, just the nuts' own fragrance and mildness coming up gently. It isn't harsh yet has real depth, so it's a perfect item for people who avoid sugar or manage their diet.

It tastes like something I could recommend to my parents without worrying about their health, so I thought I should soon pick up another whole pie as a proper gift for them at home.

Verdict on Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch and will I return

I was thoroughly satisfied with Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch, handmade pies that look after both taste and health, and I'm 100% coming back. It's hard to get taste and health together, but after eating these pies my stomach felt comfortable and the natural flavor of the ingredients felt deep.

For the friendly service, the great accessibility and above all the handmade desserts made with so much care, I'd like to give high marks.

If you're looking for a classy, healthy dessert spot near Bangbae or Naebang Station, I strongly recommend giving it a visit. I'll be back 100%, and next time I plan to relax in a seat in the shop with a drink!