Mapo brunch restaurant: gochujang-kissed tofu seafood risotto, HEOD

Where is HEOD Gongdeok in Mapo, Seoul?

HEOD Gongdeok (해옫) is a brunch restaurant at 24 Gwangseong-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor), on the main road in the cram-school area on the Daeheung side of Gyeongui Line Forest Park. Walk the park from Gongdeok through Hongdae to Yeonnam-dong and you can see new restaurants popping up day by day.

This time I was passing near Sogang University when a fresh lime-green sign caught my eye. I searched to find out what it was, and it turned out to be HEOD, a brunch place famous as a brunch hotspot.

Gongdeok brunch spot, Daeheung Station restaurant: HEOD Mapo

HEOD is known as a brunch hotspot at its Yeonnam-dong branch, and I hear it originally started at its Jumunjin branch. Now the Mapo branch has opened, so I was happy to visit.

What are the atmosphere and seating like at HEOD Gongdeok?

HEOD Gongdeok is a bright, comfortable space with white-toned interiors, soft music and gentle lighting. Walking in felt like teleporting to another place. With the calm music and soft lights it was a relaxing setting for a meal, and the white interior made it feel bright. I liked it from the first impression.

The seating includes bar seats around the open kitchen and a group table in the middle, so it works for a get-together in Mapo too. There are also 2-person and 4-person tables that suit a date along Gyeongui Line Forest Park, and the window seats felt fine for dining solo.

Is HEOD Gongdeok near the Daeheung academy street good for kids?

HEOD Gongdeok sits on the main road of the Daeheung cram-school area, so it looked good for visiting with children. There were plenty of kid-friendly dishes like French toast, pasta and risotto. With summer vacation starting, it looked like a nice place for a mom and kid to have brunch or a light meal after cram school.

HEOD Gongdeok review event, takeout and delivery

If you leave a photo review with your food photos on Catchtable via Naver, you can get a free orange juice or Americano, and a small celebration is possible for anniversaries, I was told. The menu is also available for takeout and delivery, and I could see plenty of delivery orders coming in.

What happens when you book a table at HEOD Gongdeok?

I reserved ahead at HEOD Gongdeok, and I was touched that the table was set so neatly. The open kitchen lets you watch the food being made, and the bright atmosphere overall made for a lovely meal.

I was charmed by the lovely phrases written here and there in a unique font.

How do you order at HEOD Gongdeok?

You order by scanning the QR code placed right at your table. Once I scanned it I found all sorts of tasty-looking dishes, and I ordered the soft tofu seafood risotto and an orange juice.

Sweet-and-sour, fresh cabbage pickles were served first. They were homemade from healthy ingredients, which impressed me.

How does the soft tofu seafood risotto taste, and how big is it?

HEOD's soft tofu seafood risotto is a tomato-based risotto loaded with mussels, scallops and shrimp, topped with soft tofu (sundubu). After a short wait, a beautifully plated bowl arrived. The topping was plated to look like ricotta cheese, but it's actually soft tofu!!

It was my first time having risotto topped with soft tofu, a classic Korean ingredient. It felt different and healthy, which impressed me. I was also surprised by how generously the fresh seafood and other ingredients were packed in!

It was a tomato-based risotto with fresh mussels, scallops, shrimp and more, generously included. The tomato base also had a slight hint of gochujang (red chili paste), so it wasn't greasy or heavy and suited a Korean palate perfectly. Plenty of onion and tomato blended the tomato's savory depth with the onion's flavor, and the balance was great.

The portion was really big too, about 1.5 servings, so good good! I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a tasty, different brunch in a hearty portion.

When is HEOD Gongdeok a good choice for brunch?

HEOD Gongdeok is a good place to visit when you want a carefully made brunch or meal in a clean, bright setting on the Gongdeok side of Gyeongui Line Forest Park. I think it's going to become famous as a Gongdeok pasta spot. Thanks for the meal again today.