Gireum Station couple's brunch, myeongnan oil pasta: 37.5 Signature

Brunch for two at 37.5 Signature Mia Branch after the daycare drop-off

Here's my recommendation for a brunch spot in Seongbuk-gu: 37.5 Signature Mia Branch. After dropping our child off, my husband and I finally had a relaxed brunch together for the first time in a while.

Normally I'm rushing to get our kid ready and off to work, and even when we eat out it's chaotic, so sitting down just the two of us for a slow meal doesn't happen as often as I'd like. This time, after drop-off, we decided to go on a little brunch date. I was going to just grab coffee, but I really wanted a proper brunch, so we headed to 37.5 Signature Mia Branch — a place we're already basically regulars at.

What kind of restaurant is 37.5 Signature Mia Branch?

37.5 Signature is a brunch restaurant centered on American-style brunch, but it also serves pasta, pizza, steak and other Western dishes. Parents raising kids probably already know it well — it's not a place that specializes in just one thing, but rather has everything from brunch to hearty full meals, so there's plenty to choose from depending on your mood.

Their signature is the traditional American brunch style — pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausage, salad and more piled generously onto one plate. They also have a wide variety of pasta, so it's a great spot not only when you're craving brunch but also for lunch or a date.

The 37.5 Signature Mia Branch itself has a clean, casual feel. There's that relaxed atmosphere unique to brunch restaurants, so it felt good to sit down and unwind after a busy morning. When you're raising a kid, meals as adults alone can seem like nothing special, but honestly they're precious. Getting to eat leisurely with my husband, just the two of us, after so long — it felt really nice.

What we ordered at 37.5 Signature and what it cost

• Hearty traditional American brunch ₩18,900
• Signature myeongnan oil pasta ₩18,900

Both are listed as signature dishes at 37.5 Signature Mia Branch, and they looked delicious just from the menu photos.

Hearty traditional American brunch, 18,900 won

First up, the hearty traditional American brunch. It comes with pancakes and French toast along with sides like bacon, sausage, salad and avocado, all on one plate. True to its name, the plate was packed full, and it looked really appetizing.

Brunch can sometimes mean just bread and coffee, but when a dish comes with this many components together, it's much more satisfying as a real meal. I like pairing bread with salad when I go for brunch, and this menu suited my taste perfectly.

Signature myeongnan oil pasta, 18,900 won

Second was the signature myeongnan (salted pollock roe) oil pasta. It's described as 37.5 Signature's oil pasta made with various seafood, garlic and fresh myeongnan — thick shrimp and scallops sit on top of the pasta, and it looked quite appetizing just to see.

Oil-based pasta has its own charm compared to cream pasta. You get the deep flavor of garlic and seafood, plus a slight kick of spice, so it's surprisingly likely to suit a lot of palates. If you're someone who loves myeongnan pasta in particular, you'll be even more satisfied.

We took turns eating the brunch and pasta together — switching between the bread and sides and then the pasta made for a really well-balanced meal.

Looking for a brunch restaurant in Seongbuk, Seoul?

37.5 Signature Mia Branch serves not just brunch but also pasta, pizza, steak and other Western dishes, so it's great for a brunch date after dropping off your kid like we did, but also for a relaxed meal with friends or a family outing.

If you're looking for a brunch spot in Seongbuk-gu or near Mia Sageori, I'd recommend 37.5 Signature Mia Branch. With everything from brunch to pasta on offer, there's plenty of choice, and it's a great place to visit when you want a leisurely meal after a while.