Haebangchon pizza restaurant in Seoul: sweet corn and taleggio pizza

There are days when you just want to be somewhere with really good atmosphere, especially when it's raining! This time I visited TPM hbc, located in Haebangchon near Itaewon. It fits right into the alley vibe that's so distinctly Haebangchon, and between the pizza and the space itself being so pretty, I'd honestly recommend it as a blind date or date spot.

📍 TPM hbc / Address: 30 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Hours: Tue–Fri 17:00–22:00, Sat–Sun 12:00–22:00 / Closed: Every Monday

Where is TPM hbc in Haebangchon, and what does it look like?

TPM hbc is located on Sinheung-ro in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. If you're taking the subway, you can get there within about 10 minutes on foot from Noksapyeong Station heading toward Haebangchon.

The first thing that caught my eye when I arrived was the exterior — it looked like an old house that had been converted, which fit perfectly with Haebangchon's distinct neighborhood atmosphere. There were tables outside too, so I imagine eating outdoors would be lovely on a nice day, but since it was drizzling on the day I visited, I ended up eating inside instead. Once I stepped in, though, the interior turned out to be so pretty.

Dimmed lights inside: a date-friendly atmosphere

The inside of TPM hbc felt like every detail had been thought through, from the lighting to the tables to the little knick-knacks placed here and there — overall clean but warm. At first the interior lighting was a bit bright, but partway through, the staff dimmed it slightly.

Once the lights dimmed, the atmosphere completely changed, becoming much cozier and more intimate. Personally I thought it would be a really good spot for a blind date or a date. It wasn't loud or chaotic — it was easy to chat over food.

TPM hbc menu: seasonal pizzas and signature pizzas

The menu was neatly written in English, and you could also check it via QR code. The pizzas were broadly divided into seasonal pizzas and signature pizzas, and the seasonal menu seemed to change slightly with the seasons. Combinations like sweet corn and taleggio, seasonal peach and hot honey, Korean beef and plum, and raspberry and ricotta — pairings you don't often see at a typical pizza place.

Beyond pizza, there was a good variety of dishes and desserts too, so it seemed great for picking several things to share. Even outside the seasonal menu, there were classic options like margherita and tomato-based signature pizzas, so the choices were varied.

After some deliberation, we went with what seemed like a safe bet — the sweet corn and taleggio pizza — along with two draft beers.

Draft beer on a rainy day in Haebangchon

The first thing to arrive after ordering was the draft beer, and the foam was piled up so beautifully. It looked incredibly refreshing just to look at, and one sip confirmed it — the carbonation was just right and it was so cold and delicious. Since it was drizzling that day, a glass of draft beer felt especially fitting for the weather. Having a cold one before the pizza arrived put me in a great mood.

What does the sweet corn and taleggio pizza taste like?

TPM hbc's sweet corn and taleggio pizza was impressive right from the look of it. There was a generous amount of sweet corn piled on top, and the staff explained that blended corn is also mixed into the base itself. Maybe that's why, when I took a bite, the sweet and nutty flavor of the corn came through more intensely than I expected. The highlight of this pizza was the taleggio cheese — its distinctive funky aroma came through quite strongly.

The staff explained that the cheese has a fruity note, which is where that aroma comes from. At first the smell felt pretty strong, but once I actually ate it, it paired really well with the sweetness of the corn. I tried the pizza plain first, without adding anything, and it was delicious just as it was — the corn flavor was great and the cheese was rich.

Two house-made hot sauces and gat kimchi (mustard leaf kimchi)

The hot sauces that came with it were fun too. They said they make their own — one made with red chili and one made with cheongyang chili. I enjoyed the pizza on its own first, then added a bit of hot sauce, and the added spice gave it a whole different feel — also delicious. Between the two, the red chili sauce suited our taste a bit better.

Since the pizza has rich cheese and sweet corn flavors, adding a bit of the spicy sauce cut through the richness nicely and worked well together.

It was also striking that instead of the usual pickles, they served mustard leaf kimchi (gat-kimchi) alongside. The kimchi had a light drizzle of sesame oil, giving off a nutty aroma, and it went surprisingly well with the pizza. A Western-style pizza paired with mustard leaf kimchi felt a bit unexpected at first, but after trying it, I understood exactly why they serve it that way.

Is TPM hbc worth it for a Haebangchon date night?

After eating everything, what stood out to me just as much as the food was the space itself. From the exterior that looked like a converted old house, to the charmingly decorated interior, to the pretty lighting — it had an atmosphere you can only find in Haebangchon. Especially once the lights dimmed slightly, the mood got so much better, making it feel like a great spot for an evening date.

If you're looking for a restaurant with great atmosphere in Haebangchon, or want to try a slightly unusual pizza, I'd recommend TPM hbc. It's a great Haebangchon date spot to enjoy distinctive pizza and draft beer in a beautiful space 🤍