Yeonnam-dong Western restaurant for an after-work date: Classicdang

What kind of place is Classicdang?

Classicdang (클래식당) is a Western restaurant in the back alley of Dongjin Market in Yeonnam-dong, famous for its tasty lasagna. After work, I had a dinner date with my boyfriend in Yeonnam-dong for the first time in a while. I love Western food, so I was debating where to go, and ended up at Classicdang, which has a lovely atmosphere and a reputation for great lasagna!

Classicdang location, hours and parking

Classicdang is about a 10-minute walk from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3, in the back alley of Dongjin Market. There was a menu board set out at the entrance :) Tucked into the alley, it had that quiet, sentimental Yeonnam-dong feel.

• Address: 63 Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor), Classicdang
• Hours: daily 12:00-22:00
• Break time: 16:00-17:00 (except weekends)
• Last order: 21:15

There is no dedicated parking lot, so if you come by car, I'm told you can use a paid lot nearby such as Dongjin Parking Lot (227-15 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul).

Classicdang interior: is it good for a date?

The mood at Classicdang suits blind dates and dates, and it works just as well for a meal with friends! Inside, it feels comfortable and classic rather than flashy or trendy, true to the name. The tables were spaced well enough for conversation, and even though we came in the evening, the atmosphere was calm and easy to enjoy a meal in.

Classicdang menu and what we ordered

Besides lasagna, the Classicdang menu has a variety of pastas and pizzas, and they sell imported beer and wine too. It looked like a nice place to have a casual drink, so next time I want to enjoy it with a glass of wine haha

• Margherita pizza (₩21,000)
• Classic lasagna (₩18,000)
• 2 Coke Zeros

My boyfriend said he doesn't usually eat lasagna, so I ordered it for him to try!

Coke Zero served in a cup of ice :)

How is the margherita pizza?

The Classicdang margherita pizza had a clean combination of tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil. The dough was neither too thick nor too thin, soft and easy to eat without feeling heavy. It was a textbook margherita that lets the ingredients speak for themselves.

How is the classic lasagna?

The classic lasagna came out first, and it's Classicdang's best-seller, so I'd been looking forward to it! Rich meat sauce and plenty of cheese were packed between the layered pasta sheets, and it looked so appetizing, fresh from the oven with the cheese stretching long.

One bite and I could tell it was a really back-to-basics lasagna, not trying to be intense or special. These days there are lots of Western restaurants with unusual ingredients or fusion styles, but Classicdang has a familiar, comfortable taste that anyone can enjoy without any fuss, you know?

Alternating between the lasagna and the pizza, they went really well together, and with an ice-cold Coke Zero it was a perfect after-work dinner haha

Who is Classicdang for?

We cleaned our plates haha At Classicdang you don't come expecting new flavors or a strong personality; it makes you think the basics really are the foundation. As the name says, it aims for classic flavors, so even first-timers should enjoy it without any hit-or-miss worries!

If you're looking for a Western restaurant with a nice mood in Yeonnam-dong, or a restaurant that's good for a brunch-style date, I think Classicdang will satisfy :) I'd especially recommend it to people who prefer back-to-basics Western food over anything intense or flashy. If you want a classic meal in a relaxed setting with someone you like, I recommend Classicdang in Yeonnam-dong! Maybe the fact that it's familiar is exactly why it pulls you in.