Terrace seating restaurant in Bangi-dong, Seoul: after-work Hope So

I wanted somewhere cool to sit with good food and a beer after work, so I headed to Hope So, known as a pizza spot in Bangi-dong. Between wood-fired pizza, pasta, tons of side dishes and a huge draft beer selection, it looked like a great spot for a dinner gathering too.

The place has high ceilings and feels wide open, so it didn't feel stuffy the moment I walked in. I sat on the breezy terrace, which was perfect for this kind of weather.

Where is Hope So, and how far is it from Bangi Station?

Hope So is about 231m from Bangi Station Exit 4, so it's easy to reach by subway. The address is 21 Wiryeseong-daero 18-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea, and it's close to Olympic Park too, so it's a good stop after walking around the park.

Since you can enjoy wood-fired pizza and pasta together after a date, it also looked like a good option for an Olympic Park date course.

There's parking space right in front of the restaurant, so it was convenient even though I drove. Parking trouble can be a reason to hesitate at a Bangi-dong pizza spot, but here you can just pull up right in front, which was nice.

Inside Hope So: a wide, open two-floor space

From outside, the front opens up airily so it stands out, and once inside, the place was even bigger than I expected.

The high ceilings and big folding doors gave it a great sense of openness, and a large lit-up wooden ornament in the center of the second floor made an impression too.

The tables were fairly spaced out too, so I could eat comfortably without feeling too crammed against the next table.

From tables for two to long tables for groups, the seating variety made it look like a good spot for a Bangi-dong get-together too. There were indeed people enjoying food and beer after work, and plenty of space for groups.

The terrace seat I used had outside air flowing in naturally so it felt cool, and it was connected to the indoor space so it didn't feel too isolated either. On a nice day, I'd bet the terrace gets more popular than the indoor seats.

Margherita and cream jjamppong: 47,000 won for two

We ordered Margherita (₩22,000), cream jjamppong (spicy noodle soup, ₩19,000), and apple mango ade (₩6,000). The total came to ₩47,000, and ordering was easy through the tablet on the table.

For basic sides, we got salty pretzels and tangy radish pickles, good for a light nibble before the mains arrived.

First, the Margherita was a big wood-fired pizza with a solid classic setup — tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil.

The bright tomato sauce, clean cheese, and fragrant basil went well together, and the dough was thin with a chewy edge.

The small flame under the pizza plate that keeps it warm

Best of all, there was a small flame lit under the pizza plate, so I could keep eating it warm the whole time.

Pizza usually cools down fast and that's a letdown, but this one stayed warm to the last slice, which really lived up to the 'Bangi-dong pizza spot' reputation.

Hope So's cream jjamppong: thin noodles with a spicy kick

The cream jjamppong was unique in that it used thin, ramen-like noodles instead of the usual thick jjamppong noodles.

The cream sauce soaked well into the thin noodles, so the flavor felt rich with every bite.

There was plenty of shrimp, cabbage, and broccoli in it too, and the mix of nuttiness and spiciness made it a great match for drinks.

Switching between a bite of Margherita and a sip of the cream jjamppong broth, the clean and spicy flavors alternated nicely — a solid combo.

The apple mango ade came in a generously sized glass, sweet and cold, and it was great after the spicy cream jjamppong.

Hope So's draft beer lineup for a drink after work

Hope So has plenty of food options, but the draft beer selection is really impressive too — fun just to browse the menu.

From Cass to Pale Ale, Blanc 1664, Paulaner, Guinness, Kozel Dark, Pilsner Urquell, Stella Artois, and Asahi — there were so many choices. A place with this much draft beer variety isn't common, so beer lovers can really pick according to their taste.

Besides pizza and pasta, there were plenty of beer-friendly sides too, like gambas, sausage, cheese plates, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and dried pollack snacks. Being able to enjoy various sides and draft beers in such a wide, open space made it a great spot for a relaxed drink after work.

I had apple mango ade this time, but next time I'd love to try the cold draft beer with the wood-fired pizza.

Is Hope So worth a visit? Final thoughts

The restaurant is spacious with plenty of tables, so it's good for groups, while the terrace lets you spend time more relaxed. I loved that they lit a small flame to keep the Margherita warm, and the cream jjamppong's thin noodles and spicy cream sauce left an impression.

With so many draft beer and side dish options, it felt more like a place to hang out and chat over drinks after work than just a meal spot. The pizza and cream jjamppong combo worked well too, enough to call it a proper Bangi-dong pizza spot. If you're looking for a Bangi-dong pizza spot near Olympic Park or Bangi Station where you can enjoy wood-fired pizza with a wide draft beer selection, Hope So is worth a visit.

Hope So hours, parking and address

• Address: 21 Wiryeseong-daero 18-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• About 231m from Bangi Station Exit 4
• Hours: Mon–Sat 16:00–01:00 (next day)
• Last order: 00:00
• Closed every Sunday