Ikseon-dong pizza pub with Kozel Cinnamon dark beer: Backstreet Pizza

Hi, this is Baksum 🕊️

Today I went to 'Backstreet Pizza,' near Exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga Station! I wanted something with real atmosphere and real flavor instead of the usual plain restaurant, so after a lot of deliberation this is where I landed. It's such a hip, moody spot that people around me kept recommending it as a Jongno date course too.

Even the entrance leading down to the basement had a subtly cute yet stylish mood, and I was already excited before I even sat down. Hidden away from the noisy alley like our own secret hideout, it had this cozy, hip pub vibe that was exactly my taste! Here's my honest, no-frills pizza-and-beer review.

Where Backstreet Pizza is and when it opens

• 💡 Location: 서울 종로구 수표로26길 16-2 B1 백스트리트 피자
• ⏰ Hours: Mon–Sun 12:00–24:00 (last order 23:15)

The red basement door and the mood inside Backstreet Pizza

The entrance to Backstreet Pizza is easy to spot from a distance thanks to a bold red door and a clean sign. It's underground, so watch your step going down!

Once inside, the overall dark tone with soft lighting felt really atmospheric. Vintage frames and mirrors on the walls added character and made for great photos. The tables weren't too cramped either, so it was easy to talk comfortably while eating. It felt like our own cozy pub hidden in a basement beneath a noisy downtown alley, and I was in a good mood the whole time I was there. ˚ ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ ˚ . ⁺ ✦

What is on the Backstreet Pizza menu

Backstreet Pizza has a solid main lineup of pizzas in various styles, easy to pick from depending on your taste.

• 🍕 Pizzas — from the signature pie letting you try four flavors at once, to hearty, individual pizzas piled with toppings
• 🍗 Sides — great crispy beer snacks for when pizza alone isn't quite enough
• 🍻 Drinks — a range of imported and domestic beers plus refreshing highballs, fun to pick whatever suits your mood

What we ordered at Backstreet Pizza and what it cost

Quarter Street ₩38,000, Kozel Cinnamon ₩8,000, Hoegaarden ₩8,000. That's what we ordered 💁🏼‍♀️

Quarter Street pizza, 38,000 won

The Quarter Street pizza lets you try four flavors at once, which was perfect when I couldn't decide what to order. From a slice topped with plump shrimp to one piled high with fries, picking a different piece each time was genuinely fun. The toppings were generous, so even one slice felt hearty and filling.

Kozel Cinnamon dark beer, 8,000 won

Cinnamon powder coated the rim of the glass, so a sweet aroma hit me every time I took a sip. The bitterness typical of dark beer mixed with the cinnamon's sweetness in a really compelling way. It cut right through the salty, greasy taste of the pizza — a true textbook example of 'pijaek' (pizza and beer).

Hoegaarden, 8,000 won

The fragrant fruity notes and smooth finish paired really well with the pizza. It wasn't too heavy, so it was refreshing to drink, and a sip after a bite of pizza cleaned the palate right up. The carbonation was just right and it went down smoothly, so my hand kept reaching for it again. ﾟ+.ﾟ☆

Is Backstreet Pizza a good Jongno date spot?

The Jongno branch of Backstreet Pizza lets you enjoy great pizza-and-beer in a hip, cozy atmosphere. 🍀 Beyond the menu I introduced here, there's a wide range of other pizzas, sides, and drinks, so there's plenty of fun in picking whatever suits your taste.

If you're looking for a good place to eat near Jongno 3-ga Station, I recommend giving it a visit. The lighting and interior felt cozy enough for a romantic mood, making it perfect for a successful Jongno date. It's good for going solo or with a group of friends too, but I got the feeling there's no better space than this for spending quiet time with a partner.

It was a satisfying visit that made me want to try the other signature pizzas and side dishes I didn't get to this time. That wraps up my honest review of the Jongno branch of Backstreet Pizza!