Seafood cream pasta date at a Hapjeong pizzeria: Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza

I finally had a date with my husband! I wanted to go somewhere with the kind of mood that brings back the sweet, fresh memories of our dating days. So here's my honest review of Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza (홍대화덕피자), a Hapjeong Station favorite and a Hongdae pasta classic that totally won me over with deeply flavorful Italian food!

Where is Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza, and what are the hours?

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is at 5 Dongmak-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 1st floor, a 6-minute walk from Exit 6 of Hapjeong Station (Lines 2 and 6). On Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri it's open 11:30–22:00 with a break from 15:30 to 16:30; on Sat and Sun it's open 11:30–22:00 with no break. Last order is 21:30 every day.

• Address: 5 Dongmak-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor)
• Public transport: 6-minute walk from Exit 6, Hapjeong Station (Lines 2 and 6)
• Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 11:30–22:00 (break time 15:30–16:30 / last order 21:30)
• Sat, Sun: 11:30–22:00 (no break time / last order 21:30)
• Closed: every Tuesday
• Parking: public parking lot near the restaurant recommended
• Other: takeout available; wine ade 1+1 coupon when you book through Naver

What's the atmosphere like at Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza? Good for a date?

The exterior blends vintage brick and wood, which gives it a classic yet stylish feel. Inside, warm yellow lighting and a cozy wood-toned interior welcomed us in a calm, snug way.

What caught my eye most was the huge number of instant-camera photos packed everywhere, from the elaborate arched window frames to the partitions and wall corners deep inside. You can really feel the fond memories and retro mood left behind by all the guests who have visited Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza over the years.

What did we order at Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza?

We ordered the restaurant's signature Manjo pizza and Rucola Prosciutto pizza as a half-and-half, plus the seafood cream pasta I'd been looking forward to, and a refreshing drink.

Manjo and Rucola Prosciutto half-and-half pizza

As you'd expect from a wood-fired pizza specialist, the dough is fermented and aged for 72 hours, then baked golden in a Mount Vesuvius volcanic stone oven. It was light yet chewy in a way that stood out.

The Manjo pizza, with juicy beef, onion and bell pepper, was full of sweet-salty savoriness. See that stretchy cheese? The nutty flavor kept building as I chewed, so you can tell they use good cheese.

The Rucola Prosciutto pizza had salty prosciutto (hamón-style ham) and nutty mozzarella piled on bitter, fresh arugula (rucola), filling the mouth richly. Getting two flavors on one pizza made us very happy.

How was the seafood cream pasta?

The seafood cream pasta at Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is loaded with shrimp, squid, mussels and clams, and it was the dish I was most excited about that day. The moment it hit the table, the aroma of rich cream and seafood set my appetite off. Plump shrimp, chewy squid, hefty mussels and clams made the flavor incredibly deep and refreshing.

The cream sauce, made in-house, wasn't overly heavy, and the savory depth of the seafood melted into it so that a nutty richness burst across my mouth. The firm, springy noodles were thoroughly coated in the thick sauce, so I scraped up every last bit. It was a truly great Hapjeong Station pasta, a proper Hongdae pasta.

Overall verdict on Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza

• 72-hour aged dough and the oven texture: The handmade dough is cold-fermented for 72 hours and baked in a volcanic stone oven, so it's crisp outside and chewy inside, light, with no heavy feeling afterward.
• Handmade sauces and practical half-and-half pizza: Healthy handmade sauces without artificial seasoning and fresh toppings come together, and the half-and-half system lets you enjoy two signature flavors on one pizza.
• Cozy retro mood and a date destination: Warm wood-toned interiors and walls of instant-camera photos add a snug charm, perfect for making special memories with a partner or family.

If you want truly delicious wood-fired pizza and lovely Italian food near Hapjeong or Sangsu, or a special, warm date with someone you love, I confidently recommend Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza as a Hapjeong Station favorite and a Hongdae pasta pick!