Hongdae pizza pub: sweet-salty Lotus potato slice at Raymond's

Among Hongdae's many good eats, Raymond's Hongdae is the place that just pops into your head on a day you want pizza, right? So I went straight over! Seriously, how amazing do the pizza and fries look?! And the taste was great too :) Here's my honest, totally satisfied review~~

Where is Raymond's Hongdae and what does it look like outside?

Raymond's Hongdae is in an alley near Hongik Univ. Station, just a short walk from the station. You can spot its signature vibe from far away. The exterior has a red neon feel mixed with American pizza pub style, so it catches your eye even as you walk past, haha.

Wander around Hongdae and there are so many good restaurants, right? But if I want pizza, for some reason Raymond's is what comes to mind first. It's already saved in my head, haha. With that hip feel, it's hard to just walk by, haha.

Seating and atmosphere inside Raymond's Hongdae

The space is bigger than I expected, with a variety of seats from tables for two to group-style seating. The tables aren't crammed together, so I figured it works for dates, friend get-togethers and pizza-and-beer nights alike. And the atmosphere is really good.

It's moderately hip but also comfortable enough to sit for a long time! The BGM is quietly good too, which makes everything taste even better, haha. You can order right from a tablet, so there's no need to wave down staff, which was convenient.

What's at the self-serve bar?

The self-serve bar at Raymond's Hongdae has water plus hot sauce, red pepper flakes and pickles, so you can help yourself to taste. It was a thoughtful touch, and details like this matter when you're eating pizza, right? haha. On one side you can see the pizza lineup too, with the day's slices all laid out in a row.

What's in the Raymond Set?

What I ordered was the Signature Raymond Set! The great thing about it is that you get to eat several kinds of pizza at once.

The Raymond Set at this Hongdae favorite comes with 4 kinds of pizza + sausage + truffle fries + sauce!

Seeing this I thought, "Ah, this place knows how to make people happy," haha. Usually at a pizza place you order one pizza and then agonize over sides, but at Raymond's one set and you're done.

And the slices are big. Don't think "slice pizza" means small; they come out properly large, American style. So if you go with a few people, it's perfect for trying a bit of everything. I instantly understood why this is a good place for pizza and beer in Hongdae, haha.

The look alone was something else. Pizza, chicken, fries and sausage all arrive together on one huge plate, and you can't not take photos, haha. The table just becomes so happy.

How does each Raymond's pizza taste?

Pepperoni pizza

I started with the pepperoni pizza. A classic is a classic for a reason. The salty pepperoni and rich cheese combo was so good. The dough isn't too thick, pleasantly chewy, with slightly crispy edges, the kind you keep reaching for! The cheese flavor is great too. One bite and it was a full "yes, this is pizza" moment, haha.

Mac & cheese pizza

And the one I was really happy with: the mac & cheese pizza. Wow, this is cheating, haha. It's piled with mac & cheese, and anyone who likes cheese will be happy. It's rich and thick, but I never got tired of it. You just keep eating. If you love mac & cheese, you have to try it.

Lotus potato pizza: does Lotus go with pizza?

And the Lotus potato pizza! Honestly at first I was curious, like, "Lotus on pizza?" But wow, the sweet-and-salty combo is crazy. With the sweet Lotus flavor and potato topping together, the sweetness and saltiness were perfectly balanced. It's sneakily addictive, haha. After eating it I immediately understood why people say Raymond's pizza is good.

Truffle fries

And the truffle fries! The aroma is really good. The truffle scent isn't overpowering, it spreads subtly, so you keep picking at them. The fries are thin and crispy, perfect to eat between pizza bites. Great dipped in ketchup, great plain!

Sausage

The sausage in the Raymond Set was a sneaky highlight too. It was grilled plump and juicy! Eating it between pizza bites was such a good combo. The set really was perfectly put together, haha.

Why I recommend Raymond's Hongdae for pizza in Hongdae

If you're looking for pizza in Hongdae, I recommend Raymond's Hongdae, and I was completely happy with the atmosphere too. It's not just the pizza that's good; the vibe itself is great. It feels right for pizza and beer with friends, fine for a date, and good for groups too!

A hip atmosphere plus delicious pizza, honestly, isn't that just perfect, haha? It can't get any better than this!!!