Hongdae brunch café for classic ragu pasta and arched seats: MELA

Craving brunch and looking for a place with good vibes? This time I visited one of the most talked-about brunch cafés in Hongdae. 👀 It's 'MELA Hongdae,' a Hongdae brunch café where you can enjoy everything from European home-style brunch to pasta, salads, and desserts! Since it's all-day brunch, I loved that I didn't have to time my visit — I could just drop by whenever. Let's get into the review! 😊

Where is MELA Hongdae and where do you park?

Address: 41 World Cup buk-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 1F Nudite Hongdae Parking: Available inside the building Hours: Daily 09:00–18:30 (last order 18:00) It's located 720m from Hongik University Station Exit 1 — close enough to the station that it seems really convenient to visit by public transit!

🚗 Parking tip! We drove there, and you can use the parking lot on basement levels B2–B3 of the Nudite Hongdae building. The first hour is free, but extra fees apply after that, so keep that in mind!

If your meal runs long, using a nearby public parking lot is also a good option haha

Outside MELA Hongdae: the red apple logo and arched windows

MELA Hongdae is located on the first floor of Nudite Hongdae! The 'mela BRUNCH & COFFEE' sign with its red apple logo caught my eye right away.

The wood-toned exterior blends stylishly with the arched full-length windows, giving me an exciting feeling like I'd arrived at some café in Europe even before stepping inside. 💛💛

There was also a brunch menu board set up in front of the entrance, so I could check the menu before going in.

Inside MELA Hongdae: beige-and-green interior and window seats

The moment I stepped inside, the brunch café feel was practically radiating from every corner of the space.

The warm beige-and-green interior paired with a retro tiled floor made it feel like I'd stepped into a tiny café somewhere in Europe. 💛 Ceiling fans and moody lighting hung overhead, and the phrase 'eat, joy and love with mela' was engraved on the wall, adding even more atmosphere. 😊

The window seats, where natural light pours in through the arched windows, were especially perfect for photos! The green sofa seating and marble tables were arranged harmoniously, making the space feel even more polished. The atmosphere alone is top-tier. 😊

Since it opens early, it's really perfect for visiting during brunch time! 👍

What we ordered at MELA Hongdae and what it cost

Here's what we ordered.

• Minari vongole pasta 23,000 won
• Classic ragu pasta 22,000 won
• Grilled napa cabbage salad 19,000 won
• Americano 5,000 won

Minari vongole pasta, 23,000 won

First, the minari vongole! Seriously a must-order menu. It's a vongole pasta made with fresh clams and fragrant minari (water dropwort),

and the umami of the seafood and the fragrance of the minari came together fantastically — I let out an 'oh wow' the moment I took the first bite.

Classic ragu pasta, 22,000 won

The classic ragu pasta had a rich, deep meat sauce soaked well into the noodles, giving it a heavy yet full-bodied flavor that was excellent.

It's a classic taste, but it has a charm that pulls you in the more you eat! 💛

Grilled napa cabbage salad, 19,000 won

With the grilled napa cabbage salad, I initially thought, 'a salad made like this?' But one bite in, the sweet and nutty flavor of the grilled napa cabbage was genuinely unique and delicious!

I kept thinking about this salad afterward! It's the kind of flavor I want to revisit and eat again. This one is a serious must-try too.

Drinking it alongside the Americano made for a perfect finish to the meal.

Is MELA Hongdae worth a visit for brunch?

MELA Hongdae was a Hongdae brunch café where you can enjoy delicious brunch in a space full of European charm. I'd totally recommend it as a date spot or a place to gather with friends! 💛🧡🤎 If you're looking for a great brunch café in Hongdae, be sure to visit MELA Hongdae!

• A Hongdae brunch café where every dish, from vongole to classic ragu pasta, stands out in quality
• A beige-and-green European-style interior with arched window seats, perfect for Instagram-worthy photos
• All-day brunch with no time limit, plus an early opening — a great spot to visit any time of day 💛