Yeoksam Italian: barley risotto, hummus steak & vongole, Mano di Chef

What is Mano di Chef Gangnam like?

Mano di Chef Gangnam is an Italian restaurant on the B1 floor of Bithumb Financial Tower by Yeoksam Station, known for refined dishes and a cozy atmosphere. I visited thanks to a sponsorship, but I'm writing this as an honest, detailed review, as an information provider should.

I've packed in useful info for anyone marking a special occasion with someone dear or planning a foolproof foodie date. I took a careful look around this much-talked-about spot in the Gangnam Station area.

Step inside the building and the upscale look of Mano di Chef, modern yet classic, catches your eye first. The neatly kept front desk and a display case packed with wine bottles raised my expectations before I even went in. The waiting area and entrance path are roomy, so even in the middle of a busy, crowded station area I got a polished, unhurried impression.

What are the interior and seating like at Mano di Chef Gangnam?

The main hall blends soft natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows with stylish marble tables. The tables are spaced quite far apart, so you can chat comfortably without being disturbed by the neighbors. Comfy brown leather chairs and fresh green plants here and there add a calm but warm mood.

Go a little further in and you find another space where a glamorous, cozy chandelier softly lights the area below. Long sofa-style booths make it great for a date, and it looked perfect for a private business meeting or a quiet meal too. The soft wall lighting makes photos come out beautifully, so it's a real lighting hotspot. The whole restaurant was very clean and hygienic, which made me trust it even before eating.

What's on the Mano di Chef menu and how much does it cost?

The menu covers the Italian classics, from premium salads to pasta, risotto, pizza and steak. True to its reputation as a "Gangnam Blue Ribbon restaurant", even each sauce had deep flavor. To help you plan your budget and pick dishes before you visit, here's a breakdown.

Pasta & gnocchi

The pasta lineup was full of original signature dishes, from the "bisque linguine" with red shrimp to the "basil pesto octopus mafaldine". Prices run from the upper ₩20,000s to the low ₩30,000s, and the "chamsongi (mushroom) cream gnocchi", made from aged potato dough, is said to be a best seller too.

Risotto & rice

In the risotto corner for rice lovers, the "barley risotto with seaweed pesto and seafood" is said to be popular, and its hallmark is the pop of the barley texture. There's also a spicy rice topped with grilled steak, which is reportedly a hit with people who like it hot.

Pizza

The pizzas come in two lines: a black dough made with squid ink and a white dough made with Italian Caputo flour. The steak pizza, generously topped with steak, and the nutty blueberry arugula pizza are the signatures, priced in the low ₩30,000s.

Hanwoo steak & sets

For meat lovers, the premium Hanwoo (Korean beef) steak is said to use top-grade beef that has been wet-aged and refrigerated for over 20 days. You can choose between striploin and tenderloin, and the "Hanwoo Steak Happy Together Set (for 3)", which covers salad, pasta, pizza and drinks in one go, looked like great value.

For a more special occasion, the premium lobster set, topped with a whole oven-baked lobster, or the single lobster dish seems like a good option. For starters, the premium avocado salad, the mushroom salad and the sweet honey-glazed baked dolce baguette make a great light opener.

How were the three main dishes at Mano di Chef?

That day the table was filled with a variety of Mano di Chef's signature best sellers. Every plate showed care right from the presentation, a treat for both eyes and mouth.

Seaweed pesto & seafood barley risotto

First up was the "seaweed pesto & seafood barley risotto", which overwhelms you with its one-of-a-kind look. Instead of ordinary rice it uses plump barley, and the texture that pops in your mouth with every bite was very appealing. The green gamtae (seaweed) pesto sauce, carrying a gentle scent of the sea, was smooth and creamy and soaked right into the grains instead of sliding around. Cut into the perfectly seared scallop with a knife and a tender, deep savory taste spreads through your mouth.

Steak & carrot hummus plate (₩29,900)

Next was the steak & carrot hummus plate (₩29,900), which looks healthy and generous at a glance. A good helping of premium steak, cooked just right and juicy, comes with sweet-and-sour carrot rapée and smooth hummus on the side. Spear fresh tomato and olives with salad greens on your fork, add a piece of steak, and the freshness and mild savoriness blend perfectly into a clean, light taste.

Clam aglio olio pasta (vongole)

The "vongole aglio olio pasta", the basic dish that shows an Italian restaurant's skill, was excellent too. It's packed with fresh, well-purged clams, and the deep, rich flavor of the oil sauce, seasoned with thinly sliced garlic and anchovy, coats the noodles. Chopped parsley adds fragrance, and the noodles were cooked a perfect al dente, so the savory clam flavor and nutty oil filled my mouth down to the last strand.

The quality of every dish was high enough that the "Gangnam Blue Ribbon restaurant" title felt well earned.

Survey ice cream after the meal

After the meal I filled in a survey and they gave me ice cream too. It tasted so high-end that I was really surprised.

Here's the info on Mano di Chef's June event!

Tips for visiting Mano di Chef Gangnam: parking, booking and what to order

• Parking: The building makes parking very convenient, so it's easy to come by car near Gangnam Station. When you pay, tell the counter your car number and they'll help you with parking validation.
• Booking recommended: On weekends and weekday dinner peak hours, the cozy sofa seats and the window seats with a city view fill up fast, so I recommend reserving a seat in advance through Naver Booking.
• Menu pairing: If you pick the creamy, nutty seaweed risotto and the mild steak salad, match them with the clean, refreshing vongole pasta or the spicy jalapeño pasta for a great flavor balance.

Final verdict on Mano di Chef Gangnam: who is it for?

Mano di Chef Gangnam satisfied me evenly on all three counts: organized service, an upscale mood and Italian dishes with solid fundamentals. I visited through a sponsorship this time, but the better-than-expected taste and clean interior left me so happy that I'm firmly thinking of coming back with my family, paying for it myself.

For anyone worrying about where to hold an anniversary date with a loved one, or who wants a gathering in a clean, quiet space with neatly served dishes, this would be an excellent choice. Make some tasty memories with someone dear at Mano di Chef, with its easy parking and comfortable seating.