Quiet business meeting brunch in Hongdae, Seoul: MELA Hongdae

Hi everyone, this is Utneunde-i, starting the day with a grin, a beam, and a smile the moment I wake up.

Hongdae is always a lively, crowded street, but finding a genuinely quiet brunch spot for a proper meeting or an important conversation is surprisingly hard. MELA Hongdae, which I visited this time, had an emotive interior and a calm atmosphere that made it perfect for staying focused on the conversation.

The core reason MELA (mela) has become more than just a brunch café — a genuine Hongdae brunch destination — is the quality of the food. Every dish at MELA is apparently based on authentic Italian home-cooking recipes developed by a culinary researcher trained at ICIF (Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners), the renowned Italian cooking school. Unlike the punchy, seasoning-heavy flavors of typical chain restaurants, MELA serves organic-leaning brunch that lets the freshness of the raw ingredients shine, so every bite carried real depth.

The "mela" sign with its red apple accent caught my eye right away. Mela means "apple" in Italian, apparently. This time I ordered MELA's signature menu — the chuck tender steak and the salmon eggs Benedict — to enjoy an Italian home-style brunch.

MELA Hongdae: address, hours and free parking

MELA Hongdae is located on the first floor of 41 World Cup buk-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. It's classified as a brunch restaurant.

• Address: 41 World Cup buk-ro 5-gil, 1st floor, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Business type: Brunch restaurant

Parking is easy since MELA Hongdae sits on the first floor of the impressive Nudit Hongdae building — you can park in the underground lot, and it's free.

What the room at MELA Hongdae feels like

Hongdae has no shortage of cafés and restaurants, but when you actually want a proper brunch meal, it can be surprisingly hard to decide where to go. MELA Hongdae felt different from the entrance onward. The "mela BRUNCH & COFFEE" sign with its red apple shape immediately grabs your attention. Stepping inside, a large mela logo and apple illustration on the wall reinforced that distinct MELA mood.

MELA Hongdae, a gnocchi spot in Seogyo-dong, felt comfortable yet exotic overall — the kind of space that suits a Hongdae date or a relaxed brunch with a friend. These days, when I go to restaurants, I care not just about how the food tastes but also about the mood the space and the food create together. In that sense, MELA suited a day when I wanted to sit back and enjoy brunch slowly.

MELA's signature chuck tender (salchisal) steak

One of the dishes I was most looking forward to on this brunch was MELA Hongdae's chuck tender (salchisal) steak. The moment the plate landed on the table, its generous presentation caught my eye. The steak was sliced into easy-to-eat pieces and came with an assortment of vegetables — corn, broccoli, cauliflower — making the whole plate feel substantial.

Rather than eating the steak alone the whole way through, alternating with the grilled vegetables in between made it much better. The richness of the meat and the clean flavor of the vegetables balanced out nicely, so I could enjoy it without feeling heavy by the end.

Brunch usually brings to mind sandwiches or salads, but having steak alongside gave this meal a heartiness somewhere between brunch and a full meal.

Salmon eggs Benedict, pretty before the first bite

The other signature dish was the salmon eggs Benedict, which I happen to love. Served on a black plate, the yellow sauce, salmon, and vegetables all popped in color — the kind of dish that makes you want to photograph it.

The salmon, egg, and sauce were layered on top of the bread, and taking a bite of all the layers together, each ingredient came through in harmony. The richness of the salmon paired especially well with the softness of the egg, and the sauce rounded out the overall flavor.

The salad on the side was also good. Fresh vegetables and cherry tomatoes came with it, so pairing a bite of salad with the eggs Benedict refreshed the palate. The chuck tender steak was hearty, the salmon eggs Benedict was soft and refreshing — ordering both together let me switch between two very different flavors, which made the meal more satisfying.

How did MELA Hongdae work as a meeting spot?

Eating at MELA that day made me think, 'this is how brunch is meant to be enjoyed — slowly.' I spent time slowly tasting the beautifully plated food in front of me. Seeing the chuck tender steak, salmon eggs Benedict, and salad all laid out on one table, as in the photos, lifted my mood just by looking at it.

That day was actually a meeting to consult with the company's founder about an important business direction. The most important criteria when choosing a meeting spot were 'a quiet atmosphere that lets you focus on the conversation and a neat, delicious meal,' and MELA Hongdae fit those criteria perfectly.

The consulting session, held on comfortable, plush sofa furniture under cozy lighting, was thoroughly satisfying. The founder I was with also repeatedly praised the neatness of the meal and the quiet mood of the café, which helped us carry on a candid, in-depth business conversation smoothly.

And beyond the food, MELA's signature comfortable interior made it easy to talk while eating. Eating good food, talking, and laughing together — isn't that kind of ordinary moment one of the small joys life offers? I too left MELA, this Hongdae brunch café, that day with another happy memory made over good food.

Looking for a brunch restaurant in Hongdae?

If you're looking for something more substantial than the usual café menu in Hongdae, or want to try steak and eggs Benedict in one sitting, I'd recommend MELA Hongdae. It would suit anyone looking for a date spot, anyone wanting a leisurely lunch with a friend, or anyone who wants to take photos and enjoy good brunch in Hongdae.

I especially liked choosing the chuck tender steak and salmon eggs Benedict together. They're such different dishes that trying them one after another was genuinely fun. Next time I visit Hongdae, I'd like to try some of the other brunch dishes I didn't get to this time.

Final verdict on MELA Hongdae

MELA Hongdae, a favorite Hongdae brunch café, is more than just a place that serves delicious food — it's a special space that elevates a meaningful conversation or business meeting. The chuck tender steak and salmon eggs Benedict, both carrying the distinct depth of an ICIF-trained culinary researcher, are dishes I'd strongly recommend to anyone visiting. If you're looking for a quiet, well-appointed brunch café in the middle of busy Hongdae, or thinking about a spot for an important business meeting or consultation, I highly recommend MELA Hongdae!

Good food doesn't just fill your stomach — it seems to fill your mood for the day too. Taking a bite of the chuck tender steak, a bite of the soft salmon eggs Benedict, and slowing down to enjoy brunch after a long time made an ordinary day feel a little special. It was a joyful brunch spent laughing over good food at MELA Hongdae. 😊