Gwangjin Italian restaurant with wood-fired pizza: Osteria Hyeon

I had pasta and wood-fired pizza for brunch at Osteria Hyeon (오스테리아 현) near Children's Grand Park Station. I visited with a meal voucher and paid for food exceeding the provided amount myself.

Where is it, and when can you visit?

The address is 237 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea. From Exit 6 of Children's Grand Park Station, walk down along Sejong University's main gate and you will see the restaurant.

The posted hours during my visit were 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM, with a break time from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. It is regularly closed every Monday, and at the time of the original post, it was also listed as closed for Chuseok on Sep 25. There was also information about a kids care zone.

It was introduced as a restaurant that had received both Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon recognition.

Where can you park for free?

Using the Lees Building parking lot behind the restaurant allowed two hours of free parking. I went to check the parking area myself, and there were empty spaces when I visited at weekday lunch.

What is the atmosphere like for a family meal or date?

The interior was spacious and pleasant. I noticed charming small decorations, and the overall cozy feel seemed good for a family gathering or a date meal.

There was also outdoor terrace seating, which was nice for enjoying the fresh air.

We made a reservation in advance and entered with guidance from a staff member.

What is on the menu, and is starter bread provided?

Wood-fired pizza was the main menu. Toppings ranged from Margherita and salsiccia sausage to quattro formaggi and Korean beef tenderloin gorgonzola. Pasta options included shrimp rosé and carbonara.

There were also meat dishes such as chicken thigh steak, sous-vide black pork neck steak, and grilled Iberico pork. Caesar salad, basil pesto burrata salad, and grilled chicken thigh salad caught my eye. Drinks included grapefruit ade and freshly squeezed orange juice, while beer and wine were the main alcoholic options.

Starter bread was initially provided according to the number of people in the party. Extra ciabatta cost ₩1,000. Olives came with the bread, and I dipped mine in olive oil.

What did the Korean beef bolognese pasta taste like?

The Korean beef bolognese pasta had a deep, hearty flavor from the rich bolognese sauce and beef. I mixed in the stracciatella cheese on top before eating it.

How did the two wood-fired pizzas differ?

What stood out about the Margherita?

The Margherita was a Neapolitan pizza topped with mozzarella and basil. It was a familiar combination, but the cheese flavor stood out.

Basil pesto sauce, grated cheese, and orange-colored oil came with the pizza. The oil had a slightly spicy taste.

How were the crust and toppings on the prosciutto arugula pizza?

The prosciutto cotto arugula pizza had a gorgonzola base, which tasted sweet to me. I liked that the black pork prosciutto tasted fresh.

The crust was soft and good for dipping in basil pesto or olive oil. It was also topped with Reggiano cheese, so I could enjoy a different cheese flavor from the Margherita.