Haebangchon wine bar with cream pillow chicken pasta: Sugar Hill

Red tables on the Sinheung Market corner: first impressions of Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill is a wine bar and café on the corner of an alley in Sinheung Market, Haebangchon. I had no idea Haebangchon had gotten this hot lately.

Walking through the retro alleys of Sinheung Market — apparently once a knitwear factory district — after a long time away, the European-looking red tables of 'Sugarhill' on the corner instantly caught my eye.

It felt like something out of a magazine... my heart was racing at the thought that this was my dinner spot today...!

The weather was perfect, so I didn't hesitate to grab an outdoor terrace seat — best decision ever.

The whole space concept felt like stepping into some European alley café, so just sitting there felt like being on a trip.

I later found out that everyone who runs this place is an artist.

What are the third-floor glass ceiling and 'Truth Room' terrace like?

The 3rd floor of Sugar Hill has a glass ceiling, so both sunny days and rainy days can be enjoyed with mood to spare. Every space here comes with sunlight.

This is the terrace connected to the blue room on the 3rd floor, a spot named the 'Truth Room.' Apparently the name comes from the fact that people start out hanging out in groups, but eventually always end up coming here as a pair. So you probably know a lot of secrets, huh, haha.

The combination of red brick and blue walls felt really stylish.

Apparently the owner filled the space with objects collected while traveling the world, including Nepal and Africa — which is probably why nothing here feels like it was just placed at random.

The owner apparently works in advertising, and you can feel that sense of style in every detail of the space.

Behind the curtain on the 2nd floor was the chef's cooking space, which was artistic in its own right.

The music, lighting, and table settings were art in themselves.

People-watching was also fun, and just sitting there let all the stress I'd been carrying melt away.

What we ordered at Sugar Hill: shell pasta, chicken pasta and sous vide steak

What we ordered that day: 'Shell Pasta', 'Cream Pillow Chicken Pasta', 'Juju's Sous Vide Steak Strips', plus an 'Obok Cocktail' and 'Ebisu Beer'!!

Bodeumi Shell Pasta

The Shell Pasta catches your eye right away with conchiglie shells cradling little pools of sauce.

One bite in, the creamy but weighty sauce had soaked all the way into the pasta shells, so the flavor spread gently with every chew.

The soft texture and savory sauce balance were so good I kept reaching for more.

Cream Pillow Chicken Pasta

The Cream Pillow Chicken Pasta lived up to its name — the cream sauce was as soft and fluffy as a pillow, truly.

The gently cooked chicken blended naturally with the cream sauce, so each spoonful spread a warm, rich creaminess through the whole mouth. Not overpowering, just comforting — the kind of dish you keep going back to. Oh! And the portion was generous too.

Juju's Sous Vide Steak Strips

Juju's Sous Vide Steak Strips had that unmistakably tender texture of long, low-temperature cooking.

The outside had subtle grill marks with a faint smoky note, while the inside stayed moist and pink — served cut into strips, so it was fun to pick up piece by piece.

The juices were rich, leaving a savory aftertaste that lingered with every bite.

An Obok cocktail on the terrace at sunset

The Obok cocktail we paired with the meal was a welcome glass too.

True to its name, it felt like layers upon layers of flavor stacked up, with fragrance and gentle sweetness alternating with every sip.

It went down refreshingly with a clean finish — perfect for sipping on the terrace while watching the sunset.

In the end, all three dishes had a plating quality that made me think, 'food really is art.'

Since the space doubles as a bar and café, other signature cocktails and brunch menu items caught my eye too.

We only had the one Obok cocktail today, but its bright yet complex flavor really won me over.

So next time I want to try the 'Hill Garden Spritz'!!

And someday on a rainy day, I'd love to order a whole bottle and enjoy it leisurely with my partner.

Such a gorgeous place — I was completely happy today!

I really hope we get another day of this kind of ease again~~~

How to get to Sugar Hill, and where to park

• Address: 99-15 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (inside Sinheung Market, Haebangchon)
• Parking: Yongsan 2-ga-dong Community Center public lot (3-minute walk)
• It fills up fast, so public transit is recommended!