Haebangchon Italian restaurant for a sunset blind date: Villa de Blue

What is Villa de Blue Haebangchon like?

Villa de Blue Haebangchon (빌라드블루 해방촌) is a Western-style restaurant on Sinheung-ro in Haebangchon with the feel of a southern Italian seaside resort. I went on a date around sunset and it was so pretty. Haebangchon is fun to wander alley by alley and has lots of restaurants with great atmosphere, so I often go there for dates. I'd been curious about Villa de Blue since I saw the interior in photos. In person, both the space and the food were great, and when I posted it on Instagram everyone asked where it was?!

• A Haebangchon date spot that also delivers on atmosphere
• A place where we happily feasted on the Amalfi set, from aligot cheese lasagna to pulpo mambo and gnocchi fritz

How to get to Villa de Blue Haebangchon from Noksapyeong Station

Villa de Blue Haebangchon is at 30-1 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 1st floor, about a 10-minute walk from Noksapyeong Station Exit 2. It's uphill, so taking a village bus will be more comfortable.

The exterior with its blue accents catches your eye, like a little European restaurant blending naturally into the Haebangchon alley scenery.

Seating at Villa de Blue Haebangchon: window seats for sunset

Villa de Blue Haebangchon has bar tables, hall tables and window seats, and if you go around sunset, the window table is the best. Inside, it reminds you of Mediterranean getaways like Amalfi or Positano. The space isn't very big, but from bar tables to hall tables to window seats, it's cozy and offers plenty of choice.

We reserved a hall table in advance, and sitting by the window you can see the view outside, so

If you're going around sunset, I recommend a window table

Villa de Blue Haebangchon menu: the Amalfi set for two

Villa de Blue Haebangchon serves lasagna, pasta, risotto, octopus dishes and steak, centered on southern Italian and Mediterranean styles. We ordered the Amalfi set, which lets you try the signature lasagna plus the pulpo (octopus) and gnocchi, all signature dishes.

A hit on Instagram as a blind date spot

Doesn't the full shot of the Amalfi set look so pretty?! I posted it on Instagram and it blew up, haha. Especially my guy friends kept asking where it was because they wanted to go on a blind date there (good luck, you guys!)

And actually, the next table was on a blind date...!

Aligot cheese lasagna: cheese poured right in front of you

For Villa de Blue's aligot cheese lasagna, a staff member pours the aligot cheese out right in front of you, and the look is crazy...!! The cheese is blended with mashed potato, so it's much smoother and richer than ordinary cheese. The lasagna underneath has layers of deep ragù, and the tomato's tang went well with the savory depth of the meat.

Pulpo mambo: tender octopus, with peas as the kicker

Pulpo mambo is a big octopus leg with baby potatoes and peas, served with a romesco-style sauce, and wait, the octopus was so tender and delicious...?

Dip the octopus in the nutty, slightly smoky sauce and the savory flavor really pops, truly amazing T_T The peas, which bring out the texture, were the kicker of kickers too. Recommended!

Gnocchi fritz and lemonade

The gnocchi fritz is crispy outside and chewy inside, and even as a side it had a charm that kept me reaching for more. It was best dipped in the sauce while warm, and the lemonade that came with the set had barely any sweetness, like real lemonade, so it went well with the Western food ♡

How was Villa de Blue Haebangchon as a date spot?

Villa de Blue Haebangchon isn't just pretty; each dish has a distinct personality, which made it even more satisfying. The Amalfi set especially, from the signature lasagna to the pulpo and fried gnocchi, has completely different flavors and textures, so it's great to share between two...♡

The blue and white interior makes photos look lovely, and with wine and cocktails available too, it suits a Haebangchon date spot well! Sunset is the prettiest time, so be sure to sit at the window seat ♥