Gyeongnidan-gil deep green brunch spot for a weekend date: Ongfleur

On a nice weekend, nothing makes me happier than taking it easy over a good brunch. This time I found Ongfleur, a hot spot in Itaewon that hit my taste on atmosphere, looks and flavor alike, so I rushed to write up an honest review.

Where is Ongfleur and what is the deep green interior like?

Ongfleur is a brunch restaurant above Gyeongnidan-gil in Itaewon, right next to the Grand Hyatt hotel. The deep green interior, visible from the outside, already gives off real-deal restaurant vibes.

From the entrance it looked like a cute little neighborhood café, but inside I was surprised at how spacious and open it is.

The cozy yet stylish interior makes it a mood where you can get a great photo wherever you sit.

Why the floor-to-ceiling window seats are the best spot

The most popular spot at Ongfleur is said to be the big window seats, and we got really lucky and landed one! Eating while looking out at the peaceful alley and the lush greenery was healing even before the food arrived. For a weekend date on a nice day, I can't think of a better place.

Ongfleur menu: brunch plates, pasta and set menus

The Ongfleur menu is quite varied, from hearty brunch plates to pasta.

Single dishes are great, but the set menus are also well put together for better value, so it's easy to enjoy pretty food without worrying about the bill.

On weekends Ongfleur has lots of foreigners enjoying brunch and neighborhood regulars, and it's full of couples on dates, so a relaxed, warm mood fills the whole space. We ordered the single-dish combination we'd been wanting to eat.

How does Ongfleur's brioche French toast (18,000 won) taste?

Ongfleur's brioche French toast is ₩18,000, and the moment I saw it I said "Wow..." The plating is so pretty, like a model from a magazine or a photo, that I had to pick up my camera.

The French toast is really thick and fluffy, and full of rich flavor. Soak it in sweet maple syrup and it's a proper sugar boost that melts in your mouth.

Salty, nicely grilled bacon and sausage hold the sweet-and-salty balance, and it comes with fresh fruit like orange, the not-so-common dragon fruit and passion fruit, so it stays fresh and tasty to the end.

Smoked salmon eggs Benedict (18,000 won): the sauce makes it

Ongfleur's smoked salmon eggs Benedict is ₩18,000, and tastes as great as it looks. Fresh arugula, tender smoked salmon and a perfectly cooked poached egg sit generously on an English muffin.

You pop the poached egg and eat it all together, but the real kick of this dish is the sauce!

The special sauce cuts the richness while adding savory depth, so the smoked salmon, egg and bread blend together wonderfully instead of feeling separate in your mouth.

Add a drizzle of balsamic dressing to the crunchy mini salad and you keep going without getting tired of it.

Grapefruit ade (7,000 won) for a refreshing finish

Ongfleur's grapefruit ade is ₩7,000 and comes prettily topped with thyme and rosemary. When things get a bit dry or rich, a big gulp of the refreshing grapefruit ade resets your mouth right away.

It isn't an artificial syrup taste; you get the bittersweet, juicy grapefruit pulp popping as you chew, which made it a perfectly clean finish to the last bite.

Is Ongfleur worth it for a weekend date brunch in Itaewon?

Ongfleur has great views and an atmosphere that does a lot of the work, so it's a place I'll definitely think of when I want a relaxed, pretty brunch date near Itaewon on a weekend. You fall for the looks and fall again for the taste. I highly recommend Ongfleur as a brunch hot spot near Itaewon Station!