Yeonnam-dong pasta spot, 30-min wait, 4 spicy dishes: Hôtel de Couture

Weekend lunch with friends at Hôtel de Couture in Yeonnam-dong

Last weekend I went to Hongdae with friends for the first time in a while, and we had lunch at Hôtel de Couture (오뗄드꾸뜨), a well-known pasta spot in Yeonnam-dong. We couldn't decide what to eat, then remembered the pasta here is supposed to be good, so off we went!

How long is the weekend wait at Hôtel de Couture?

We got there around 1 PM on a weekend. About 3 groups were ahead of us, and we only got in after waiting about 30 minutes. It was a little disappointing that there's no waiting machine, but it's a place people line up for, so we were excited.

Seating and atmosphere inside Hôtel de Couture

Inside, there are tables for 4 and for 2. Lots of friends and couples were there like us, so it seems like a good pick if you're looking for a date spot in Yeonnam-dong.

How to order at Hôtel de Couture and what's on the menu

You order by scanning the QR code at your table and using your phone.

There are 10 basic dishes, and every one comes with a photo, which made choosing so much easier. Loved that.

The four dishes we ordered with friends

We ordered four dishes in total.

• Carrot duck aglio e olio (당근오리알리오올리오) – pasta with duck breast and sautéed carrots on top of aglio e olio
• Honey bacon rosé pasta (허니베이컨로제파스타) – rosé pasta topped with whole bacon coated in natural honey
• Jambon truffle cream risotto (잠봉트러플크림리조또) – cream risotto with jambon (Korean-style ham), scented with truffle oil
• Egg in hell + extra grilled bread (에그인헬) – a stew of sweet-and-tangy tomato sauce with a soft-cooked egg. It comes with about 3 slices of bread as standard, and about 5-6 slices if you add the grilled bread.

When did the four dishes arrive?

All four dishes came out almost at the same time, one after another. Honestly, it took so long that I wondered whether our order had even gone through, haha. I guess it was because all four dishes were being finished together!

How spicy is the pasta at Hôtel de Couture?

The pasta here felt spicy overall, kind of? It seems the dishes are made that way to cut the heaviness typical of Western food. For me the spice was a bit strong and kept feeling spicy the whole way through, haha. But that's because I can't handle spice. My friends said it was just right, so overall the heat level seems fine.

What the name Hôtel de Couture means, and the second branch

The name is French for "GGOODD hotel": one extra g and d added to "good" to mean even better atmosphere and tastier food for guests. The first branch is in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, and the second is in Paldal-gu, Suwon, under the name Coeur de Couture (쿠어드꾸뜨). If you want a great spot like Hôtel de Couture, give them a visit!

Egg in hell, the dish I was most curious about

The dish I was most curious about was the egg in hell, though I honestly can't remember whether I've had it before, haha. Anyway! Egg in hell apparently varies in spiciness from restaurant to restaurant, and the one at Hôtel de Couture is only slightly spicy, so keep that in mind when you order.

Drinks and corkage at Hôtel de Couture

We had soft drinks, but the restaurant has a wide alcohol menu including house wine, and corkage is allowed too. If you have a drink that goes well with pasta, I'd recommend bringing it along.

Hôtel de Couture location and where to wait

Seating is at tables for 2 or 4, and with so many 2-seaters it's a good pick if you want a Western restaurant for a Yeonnam-dong date. You can enjoy French-style dishes with fresh ingredients and polished plating!

Hôtel de Couture is at 7 Donggyo-ro 46-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Unit 101, 1.5th floor). Just go up half a flight of stairs, and you wait on the stairs! If you're looking for a Western restaurant near Hongik Univ. Station, it's worth a visit~