Yeonnam-dong steak restaurant with fried sides: Hey Joji

A Western restaurant found on Yeonnam-dong's walkable lanes

The weather has been so lovely lately—perfect early-autumn weather for going out somewhere. I visited Yeonnam-dong in Seoul, a neighborhood with great streets for walking, plenty to see, and lots to do.

There are so many places worth visiting in Seoul, but I chose Yeonnam-dong because every little lane has such a nice atmosphere and so much to look at. I heard there was a spot known for great pasta and reasonably priced steak, so off I went.

There is a restaurant popular with couples in Yeonnam-dong that always comes up when you search for good places to eat here. I visited Hey Joji (헤이죠지), where you can enjoy juicy steak and pasta.

Hey Joji hours and atmosphere

Hey Joji is open daily from noon to 9 p.m. With its open kitchen, clean facilities, and trendy interior, it is a restaurant much loved by young couples—you get the pleasure of watching as well as eating.

There are plenty of Western dishes, including pasta and risotto, and every one seems to be well known and delicious. Tucked away on a side street, it has a quiet, atmospheric feel that makes it perfect for a romantic date. Today, I ordered the Cajun Supreme Rosé Pasta and the main dish, House Steak.

Cajun Supreme Rosé Pasta with a generous portion

Our food arrived! The thick, rich rosé sauce and its aroma hit my nose, and I was automatically drooling.... The presentation was so pretty that I rushed to take photos first, but the smell was seriously insane... I wanted to mix rice into that sauce.

People tend to think Western food comes in small portions, but Hey Joji surprised me with how much there was. Shrimp was tucked all through it, and there was enough rosé sauce and pasta for two people to order and share.

From the perfectly cooked noodles to the generous amount of sauce, it was just perfect... It was so abundant that I almost wondered whether I had ordered an extra-large serving. Usually, I feel a little peckish after Western food, but not here—I left feeling properly full, which was very satisfying.

These were not tiny cocktail shrimp, either—they were nice and large, with plump flesh. They had that springy bite and a lovely sweetness. Bacon was scattered throughout too, and pasta with meat... what more is there to say? The big pieces of bacon were such a thoughtful touch.

Even though it is a Western restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, the prices do not feel inflated, so it offers good value and is hugely popular with young couples. So many people visit! If your timing is off, there could be a wait..!!!!

House Steak with potato and sweet-potato fries

The House Steak came with potato fries and sweet-potato fries. The steak was cooked brilliantly... juicy, with tender meat.

Dipped right into the steak sauce, the medium-ish doneness brought out the texture in such a fun way.

With cute little potato fries and sweet sweet-potato fries, there was something to nibble between bites of steak, so the meal never felt boring and was even more fun to enjoy.

It was cut into just the right bite-sized pieces, making it easy to pick up and eat one by one. Generous, reasonably priced steak in Yeonnam-dong plus an atmosphere that wins you over—such a perfect time.

If you are looking for an atmospheric steak restaurant in Yeonnam-dong

If you are visiting Yeonnam-dong and looking for a restaurant with a great atmosphere, I strongly recommend Hey Joji. Wondering where to go? It is a lovely side-street spot with good-value steak and Western pasta, so definitely give it a try!!!