Yeonnam-dong pasta restaurant, mother-daughter lunch: Hey Joji

A while ago I spent some quality time with my mom, just the two of us, for the first time in ages. We'd decided to make silver rings together at a workshop near Yeonnam-dong. Shaping the rings and waiting for the finished pieces took a little while, and right around then we got hungry, so we decided to grab lunch nearby while we waited. We wandered the alleys for a good while trying to decide where to go, and this was the place we finally ducked into. And honestly, it was a great choice — both the taste and the portions were solid, and my mom was totally satisfied, so I wanted to share it!

Where is Hey Joji in Yeonnam-dong?

The place we visited that day is Hey Joji, known as one of the good pasta spots in Yeonnam-dong. A red, exotic-looking scooter parked out front caught my eye from a distance. Even the exterior, full of American comfort-food vibes, already had a lot of character.

Given how winding the Yeonnam-dong alleys are, this place sits deep inside one, so if it's your first time you'll want to keep an eye on the map. As you make your way carefully through the alley, a green awning and cute little props come into view to greet you.

Inside Hey Joji: green interior and a cozy, charming room

Stepping inside Hey Joji, I found a space with a cozy yet vintage feel. The green walls were covered with cute character frames that gave off a playful but warm mood.

When we first walked in, every table was full, so I couldn't bring myself to take interior photos. It made me think this must be a really popular hotspot, which quietly raised my expectations. By the time we finished chatting and eating and were about to leave, a few tables had opened up, so I was finally able to capture the interior.

The tables were spaced comfortably, and the layout looked group-friendly, making it convenient for gatherings. Wi-Fi reception inside was good, and they had an easy payment system set up too. Overall the space was kept clean and pleasant, which put me at ease bringing my mom along.

What is on the American comfort food menu at Hey Joji?

Hey Joji has no break time, so you can enjoy a meal without worry even if you show up during an off-peak hour. My mom and I put our heads together over the menu to decide what to order. There was a diverse lineup of American home-style dishes — pasta, risotto, steak, and more.

Prices were mostly in the ₩10,000s, which felt like solid value compared to the going rates around Yeonnam-dong. After some deliberation, we decided to each order one of the two signature pastas we most wanted to try.

• White ragù truffle cream pasta ₩16,000 — fragrant truffle aroma with the savory richness of egg yolk

A lunch of generous ingredients and deep flavor

While we were chatting away, our order finally arrived at the table. From the cute lettering detail on the bowls to the plating itself, you could feel the care put into it, which put me in a good mood before I'd even taken a bite.

Garlic squid oil pasta at Hey Joji

The first thing we tried, the garlic squid oil pasta, gave off a subtle, savory garlic aroma as soon as it arrived. Maybe because the oil sauce was loaded with garlic, the umami came through deep and not at all artificial. You could tell right away that they hadn't skimped on ingredients.

What surprised me most was the amount of squid. Every time I twirled the noodles onto my fork, chewy squid kept coming up along with it, seemingly endlessly. My mom took a bite too and said the squid wasn't tough at all but tender, and she really enjoyed it, which made me happy.

White ragu truffle cream pasta, 16,000 won

Next up was the white ragù truffle cream pasta, and it caught the eye from its looks alone. Finely minced meat covered the white cream base, with a fresh egg yolk plopped right in the center. Before eating, we popped the yolk and mixed it thoroughly into the noodles.

The moment I took a bite, that distinctive, luxurious truffle aroma bloomed right at the tip of my nose — truly fragrance at its finest. The soft, thick cream sauce clung to the noodles without ever feeling heavy or separated, and it had that addictive quality that kept me reaching for more. If you like your pasta thick and rich, I think you'd really love this one.

My mom and I have done a fair bit of a Yeonnam-dong pasta tour over time, visiting various Italian restaurants together. Among all of those, this combination this time ranked among the most satisfying for both of us, and we scraped our plates clean before leaving.

Is Hey Joji worth a second visit with your mom?

This was a Yeonnam-dong pasta restaurant we stumbled into by chance and ended up having a meal far better than expected. Beyond the taste, the portions were more generous than I'd anticipated, so we left with happily full stomachs. The atmosphere was quiet and cozy, which made it a really nice spot to catch up on conversation with my mom.

It's a great fit when you're in the mood for good-value, distinctive Western food wrapped in an exotic American atmosphere. If you're driving, keep in mind it's in an alley with no parking, so it's better to take public transit and stroll over at a leisurely pace. I'm planning to come back next time to try other menu items. Thanks for the meal again today!