Cheonan pizzeria: corn pizza dipped in ink risotto at Napoli Shinbu

I was in Cheonan on a business trip and really wanted a good lunch, so I headed to Napoli Shinbu (나폴리신부), a well-known wood-fired pizza place in Cheonan.

What kind of wood-fired pizza restaurant is Napoli Shinbu?

Napoli Shinbu is a pizza place famous in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan, and it is certified by the Neapolitan wood-fired pizza artisans' association. It uses Italian Caputo flour and mozzarella, so the pizza had a richer flavor.

Honest review of this Cheonan restaurant, START!!

How does the corn pizza at Napoli Shinbu taste?

The corn pizza (마약옥수수피자, literally "addictive corn pizza") is the signature dish at Napoli Shinbu in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan. The handmade dough, baked in the wood-fired oven, was crisp outside and chewy inside, so I enjoyed the crust too.

It's sweet and even a little spicy, and the kernels popping here and there are fun to bite into. Just like the name says, I kept reaching for another slice. The corn sweetness is strong and even the corn purée is sweet, so it's a crowd-pleaser even if you come with a kid.

The mozzarella is generous, so the base is rich, savory and a bit salty, and the seasoning sprinkled on top is mildly spicy. It would be perfect for pizza and beer in Cheonan too.

With whole corn on top, Napoli Shinbu's corn pizza felt even more generous. Pick up one slice and you'll finish the whole thing. It's a bewitching pizza.

What goes into the squid ink cream risotto at Napoli Shinbu?

Napoli Shinbu's squid ink cream risotto is made with Sindongjin rice and comes with shrimp, cuttlefish and octopus. The thick, black squid ink cream looked rich from the first glance.

Before eating, I broke the egg yolk on one side, and that made it taste creamier and nuttier.

Plump shrimp, crunchy cuttlefish and bouncy octopus lifted the flavor of the thick risotto even more, and the added savory depth made it so good that I personally loved it.

The huge cuttlefish was the standout, the kind I'd dream about. Among Italian restaurants in Cheonan, this is one of the few where good ingredients and their natural flavors are in such harmony.

Dipping the corn pizza into the squid ink cream risotto

At the end I dipped the corn pizza into the squid ink cream risotto. The menu is so varied that there are lots of ways to enjoy it~

What are the atmosphere and facilities like inside Napoli Shinbu?

We could eat with a clear autumn view, and the interior was well kept, with a strong clean and tidy feel.

There are kids' high chairs, so it seems easy to visit with children. The relaxed atmosphere works for everything from tables for family gatherings to eating solo in Cheonan.

The interior was cozy enough to work as a date spot in Cheonan.

There's also a self bar where you can grab more pickles, hot sauce, honey and the like if you run out.

Napoli Shinbu location, hours, parking and menu

• Address: 46 Bangjugan 3-gil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 10:00–21:30
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Last order: 14:00, 20:30
• Closed: Every Monday
• Parking: Available

The menu at Napoli Shinbu has wood-fired pizzas with everything from sauce to dough made by hand, plus pasta, risotto and more that reflect the owner's care and the restaurant's philosophy. I ordered the corn pizza and the squid ink cream risotto!

Verdict: how to really enjoy wood-fired pizza in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan

Napoli Shinbu was a great place to really enjoy pizza in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan. The biggest plus is the handmade pizza baked savory in the wood-fired oven. They kindly packed up our leftover pizza, so it was easy to eat later however we liked.

It's also a great date spot in Cheonan: friendly staff, nice atmosphere, and the pizza and risotto look pretty too, so you'd get compliments bringing a girlfriend or boyfriend.

Next time I go back, I want to try the 14-hour aged sous-vide pork ribs too!