Tag: Pasta

  • Lacoon Pizza Mapo: Half-and-Half Pizza and Beer by Mapo Station

    Lacoon Pizza Mapo: Half-and-Half Pizza and Beer by Mapo Station

    In short

    Lacoon Pizza (라쿤피자) Mapo is a red, retro diner-style pizza and beer spot about 3 to 4 minutes from Mapo Station Exit 1 (Line 5). A regular half-and-half pizza is ₩20,800 (about $14.90) and a 300 ml draft beer is ₩2,900. Open daily 11:00 to midnight. Good for families, groups and a casual pizza-and-beer night; expect a wait around 7 pm.

    Mapo Station sits right by the Han River, between Yeouido and Gongdeok, and the side streets around it are packed with places where office workers eat and drink after work. One weekday evening we headed to Lacoon Pizza Mapo, a pizza place done up like an American diner, for what Koreans call pimaek: pizza and maekju (beer).

    Below: what we ordered, the current dine-in prices, why I think the pizza works well for kids, and how to find it from the station.

    Quick facts

    • Korean name라쿤피자 마포역점 (Lacoon Pizza, Mapo Station branch). Lacoon is how the sign spells it; in Korean it sounds like “raccoon”.
    • Address1F, 307 Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
      서울 마포구 토정로 307 1층
    • SubwayMapo Station (마포역, Line 5), Exit 1, about 290 m (3 to 4 min walk)
    • HoursDaily 11:00–24:00
    • PriceHalf-and-half pizza ₩20,800 (R) / ₩28,300 (L); pizza and pasta sets ₩34,400–41,900; pasta ₩13,800–15,800
    • Good forFamilies with kids, group dinners, pizza and beer after work
    • Phone0507-1447-5008
    • NotesNaver reservations for 2 to 10 people. Takeout and delivery. Wi-Fi. Nearest parking listed on Naver: Mapo Yusuji public lot (24 hours).
    • MapOpen in Naver Map

    Finding it

    Come out of Exit 1 of Mapo Station and walk straight ahead for about 100 m until you see the entrance to the Yonggang-dong food alley (용강동 먹자골목). Turn left into the alley and walk about 80 m more. You really can’t miss it: a bright red front, a big neon LACOON PIZZA sign and a row of yellow chairs outside for people waiting.

    📍 Lacoon Pizza Mapo (라쿤피자 마포역점), 1F, 307 Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu · Naver Map · Google Maps

    Red storefront of Lacoon Pizza Mapo with neon sign and yellow waiting chairs near Mapo Station
    The red front and neon sign, with yellow chairs for the queue.

    A busy, hip room worth the wait

    We arrived around 7 pm on a weekday and there was already a line. Inside it is all red booths, checkered floors and neon, more like a stylish pub than a family pizza chain, where people share pizza or chicken over soju and beer. The crowd was a real mix: families like us, plus office teams having an after-work dinner. Takeout orders and waiting customers kept coming the whole time we ate, which told me this is a local favorite.

    Red and checkered retro diner interior with open pizza kitchen at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    Red booths, checkered floor and an open kitchen.

    There is also a self-service bar with plates and sauces. The sauces come in sealed single-serve packets and the drinking water is given out as individual bottles, which felt very clean and considerate. I did briefly wonder about all that plastic, but on hygiene the place gets full marks from me.

    Self-service bar with bottled water, plates and single-serve sauces at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    The self-service bar, with bottled water and single-serve sauces.

    What we ordered

    We got the pizza and pasta set, which comes with one pizza, one pasta and one soft drink. For the pizza we went half-and-half, and since my little one can’t handle spicy food, we picked the meat tomato ragu pasta. I added a 300 ml draft beer for myself, because that is the whole point of pimaek. The side menu is long (fries, fried chicken, wings and more), which is a big part of why people come here to drink.

    300 ml draft beer on a table at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    A 300 ml draft beer, the “maek” in pimaek.

    1. Half-and-half pizza: Super Lacoons and basil mascarpone (반반피자)

    Super Lacoons (슈퍼라쿤즈) is their version of a combination pizza, so the flavor is familiar, like the combination or pepperoni pizza you already know. It came out freshly baked with the toppings piled on generously; hard to go wrong with that. The basil mascarpone half was the more grown-up one, with fragrant basil and soft, creamy mascarpone working really well together.

    Half-and-half pizza with Super Lacoons and basil mascarpone at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    Half Super Lacoons, half basil mascarpone.

    The biggest reason I rate this place, though: the pizza is not salty. It is generous without being heavy or harsh, and with a few sides it made a dinner the whole family enjoyed. The shop says it makes its salted butter dough fresh every day, and the cheese stretched a long way.

    Slices of combination pizza loaded with pepperoni, olives and toppings at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    Plenty of toppings on every slice.
    Long cheese pull from a slice of pizza at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    The cheese pull.

    2. Meat tomato ragu pasta (미트토마토 라구파스타)

    A familiar tomato sauce with lots of minced meat through it. It is not spicy, and it worked well as a side to share alongside the pizza. A shake of parmesan on top finishes it off.

    Meat tomato ragu pasta in a metal bowl at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    Meat tomato ragu pasta.
    Forkful of spaghetti with meat ragu sauce at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    Plenty of meat in the sauce.

    3. Cheese crust (치즈크러스트)

    Funny thing: my child liked the pizza edges more than the pasta. We had ordered the cheese crust, and watching the cheese stretch out of the crust made the edges the best part of the meal. The crust is chewy and nutty with cheese all the way through, so nothing was left on the plate. If you love a good food combo, cheese crust pizza plus ragu pasta is the one I’d order again; the rich sauce and the pizza go really well together.

    Pizza crust broken open to show melted cheese inside at Lacoon Pizza Mapo
    Cheese tucked inside the crust.

    Menu and prices (dine-in)

    DishPrice
    Half-and-half pizza, regular / large
    반반피자 R / L
    ₩20,800 / ₩28,300
    ~$14.90 / $20.20
    Super Lacoons pizza, regular / large
    슈퍼라쿤즈 피자 R / L
    ₩21,800 / ₩29,300
    ~$15.60 / $20.90
    Basil mascarpone pizza, regular / large
    바질마스카포네 피자 R / L
    ₩24,800 / ₩32,300
    ~$17.70 / $23.10
    Lacoon cheese waterfall pizza (signature), regular / large
    라쿤치즈폭포 피자 R / L
    ₩24,800 / ₩32,300
    ~$17.70 / $23.10
    Pizza R + pasta + soft drink set
    피자R/파스타 세트
    ₩34,400
    ~$24.60
    Pizza L + pasta + soft drink set
    피자L/파스타세트
    ₩41,900
    ~$29.90
    Meat tomato ragu pasta
    미트토마토 라구파스타
    ₩13,800
    ~$9.90
    Favorite Toowoomba pasta (slightly spicy shrimp cream)
    페이보릿 투움바 파스타
    ₩13,800
    ~$9.90
    Crispy hot chicken, half (4 pieces)
    [반마리] 크리스피핫치킨
    ₩12,000
    ~$8.60
    Shoestring fries
    슈스트링 감자튀김
    ₩3,800
    ~$2.70
    Cass draft beer 300 ml (dine-in only)
    300cc 카스 생맥주
    ₩2,900
    ~$2.10
    Lacoon highball
    라쿤하이볼
    ₩6,900
    ~$4.90
    Soju (bottle)
    참이슬 / 처음처럼 등
    ₩5,000
    ~$3.60

    *USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. Prices are the dine-in menu on Naver Place; delivery prices are higher. Personal-size (P) pizzas start at ₩10,800. Prices can change.

    Tips for visitors

    • Expect a queue at dinner. There was a wait by 7 pm on a weekday. Naver takes reservations for 2 to 10 people, which is worth it for a group.
    • Get the set. Pizza, pasta and a drink together costs less than ordering them separately, and you can choose a half-and-half pizza.
    • Add the cheese crust. Especially if you have kids with you.
    • Watch the spicy items. Naver marks the Diablo pepperoni pizza, the hangover pasta, bulgogi premium pizza and the crispy hot chicken as spicy. Super Lacoons, basil mascarpone and the ragu pasta are safe picks.
    • Ordering phrase: “Banban pija juseyo” (반반피자 주세요) means “A half-and-half pizza, please.”
    • Driving? There is no on-site parking listed; Naver suggests the Mapo Yusuji public lot nearby.

    Is it kid-friendly?

    Yes, in my experience. Lots of families were eating there when we went, the pizza is not salty, and the ragu pasta is a safe non-spicy dish. My child happily worked through the cheese crust edges. It is lively in the evening with after-work groups, so it suits kids who don’t mind a busy room.

    My verdict

    Lacoon Pizza Mapo is a fun, good-value pizza and beer spot in a neighborhood full of office workers. The room is hip, the toppings are generous, the pizza is not salty, and the sets make it easy to feed a family or a group. The only real downside is the dinner wait. Go for a half-and-half pizza with the cheese crust, a ragu pasta on the side, and a cold draft beer if you drink.

    Lacoon Pizza Mapo FAQ

    Where is Lacoon Pizza Mapo and how do I get there?

    Lacoon Pizza Mapo is on the ground floor of 307 Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu, about 290 m from Exit 1 of Mapo Station on Line 5. Walk straight from the exit for about 100 m to the entrance of the Yonggang-dong food alley, turn left into the alley, and the red storefront is about 80 m further on. It takes 3 to 4 minutes.

    What are the opening hours of Lacoon Pizza Mapo?

    Naver lists Lacoon Pizza Mapo as open every day from 11:00 to midnight. When I went at about 7 pm on a weekday there was already a wait, so come a little earlier for dinner or book ahead on Naver.

    What should I order at Lacoon Pizza Mapo?

    At Lacoon Pizza Mapo I would get a pizza and pasta set with a half-and-half pizza. We had Super Lacoons (their take on a combination pizza) and basil mascarpone, plus the meat tomato ragu pasta. Add the cheese crust option and a ₩2,900 draft beer if you drink.

    Is Lacoon Pizza Mapo good for kids?

    Yes. I went to Lacoon Pizza Mapo with my child, and there were plenty of other families there too. The pizzas are not salty, the meat tomato ragu pasta is not spicy, and my child loved the stretchy cheese crust. Just avoid the items Naver marks as spicy, like the Diablo pepperoni pizza.

    Can I book a table or park at Lacoon Pizza Mapo?

    Lacoon Pizza Mapo takes Naver reservations for groups of 2 to 10 and is set up for group dinners. Naver does not list parking at the shop itself; it points drivers to the Mapo Yusuji public parking lot (마포유수지공영주차장), open 24 hours. Takeout and delivery are also available.

    One stop away on Line 5: Oksoban in Gongdeok for shabu-shabu. More kid-friendly ideas: Sammi Tantanmyeon in Sinchon. All guides: Seoul restaurant guides.

    Visited: July 2026. Prices and hours last checked: October 27, 2026, on Naver. Please check Naver Map before you go.

    This post is based on my own visit and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.

  • Decalcomanie Haebangchon: Famous Honey Cod & Pasta Near Itaewon

    Decalcomanie Haebangchon: Famous Honey Cod & Pasta Near Itaewon

    In short

    Decalcomanie is a small Western-style bistro inside Sinheung Market in Haebangchon, uphill from Itaewon in Seoul, best known for its ₩9,900 honey cod with Uiseong garlic aioli. A set for two (steak, basil pasta, honey cod and two ades) costs ₩59,800 (about $43). It is open 11:00–21:00, often has a wait, and is a no-kids zone.

    Haebangchon is the hillside neighborhood above Itaewon, full of small bars and cafés with views toward Namsan. Tucked inside its old Sinheung Market is Decalcomanie (데칼코마니), a small Western-style bistro known for one surprising dish: honey cod. I went for our wedding anniversary dinner, and it turned out to be exactly the kind of cozy, unfussy place I hoped for.

    Quick facts

    • Korean name데칼코마니 (Decalcomanie)
    • Address97-4 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ground floor inside Sinheung Market
      서울 용산구 신흥로 97-4 신흥시장 1층
    • Getting thereUp the hill in Haebangchon, above Itaewon. From Noksapyeong Station (Line 6) it is roughly 1.2 km, mostly uphill, so many people take a short taxi ride.
    • HoursDaily 11:00–21:00. Break 14:30–17:00 Mon–Thu, 15:00–17:00 Fri, no break on weekends
    • PricePasta ₩17,900–18,900, set for two ₩59,800 (about $43)
    • Good forDate night, anniversaries, a relaxed dinner for two to four
    • NoteNo-kids zone. No on-site parking (public lots nearby).
    • Phone+82 507-1436-0815
    • MapOpen in Naver Map

    Finding it

    Decalcomanie is not on the main road. Look for Sinheung Market and walk inside; the restaurant faces the market lane, with a few green outdoor tables in front. Haebangchon sits on a steep hill, so if you are coming from Noksapyeong or Itaewon, a taxi saves your legs, especially in the evening.

    📍 Decalcomanie (데칼코마니), Sinheung Market, 97-4 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul · Naver Map · Google Maps

    Decalcomanie storefront with outdoor tables inside Sinheung Market, Haebangchon

    Inside, the room is small and bright, with white walls, wooden tables and big glass doors onto the market. It feels calm rather than trendy, which is why it works well for a date. The restaurant has also appeared on the Korean TV show Handsome Guys (2025), so expect it to be busy.

    Cozy white dining room with large windows at Decalcomanie, Haebangchon

    What we ordered

    We ordered the set for two (₩59,800), which includes the three signature dishes: honey cod, spinach basil pesto pasta and the pork neck sous-vide steak. The set normally comes with two ades; we paid a little extra to swap them for sangria.

    Red and white sangria

    The red sangria is fruity, a little bittersweet and easy to drink. The white is lighter and more citrusy, with a fresh, slightly sharp finish. If you are celebrating something, start with one of each and share.

    Red sangria and white sangria at Decalcomanie

    1. Uiseong garlic honey cod (의성마늘 꿀대구)

    This is the reason most people come. A piece of cod is topped with aioli made from Uiseong garlic (a well-known Korean garlic region) and honey, then served on a bright tomato sauce. The fish was so soft it fell apart as soon as my fork touched it. The garlic is mellow, the honey adds gentle sweetness, and the tomato keeps it from feeling heavy.

    It is simple enough that you think you could make it at home, but the balance is what makes it special. At ₩9,900 it is also the cheapest thing on the menu, so order it even if you are not getting the set.

    Honey cod with Uiseong garlic aioli and tomato sauce, the signature dish at Decalcomanie in Haebangchon, Seoul
    Soft flakes of cod with honey garlic aioli and tomato sauce
    The cod flakes apart at the first touch of a fork.

    2. Spinach basil pesto pasta (시금치 바질페스토 파스타)

    A thick, creamy green sauce coats every strand of pasta. The basil gives it a fresh aroma, and the spinach keeps the cream from tasting too rich, so it never got boring. Plump shrimp and arugula on top add bite and a peppery edge. I really enjoyed this one.

    Spinach basil pesto cream pasta with shrimp and arugula

    3. Pork neck sous-vide steak (팜스플랜 목살 수비드 스테이크)

    Moksal is pork neck, a cut Koreans love for its mix of lean meat and fat. Cooked sous-vide, it was tender with a pleasant chew, and it sits on a smooth, nutty potato sauce. Eating the pork with the potato and the pickled greens together was my favorite bite.

    Sous-vide pork neck steak with potato puree and myeongi greens
    Pouring sauce over the sous-vide pork neck steak
    The steak comes with an extra sauce on the side.

    Menu and prices

    Prices below are from the restaurant’s current Naver menu (updated May 2026).

    DishPrice
    Uiseong garlic honey cod
    의성마늘 꿀대구
    ₩9,900
    ~$7
    Spinach basil pesto pasta
    시금치 바질페스토 파스타
    ₩17,900
    ~$13
    Hanwoo white ragù pasta
    한우 화이트 라구 파스타
    ₩18,900
    ~$14
    Pork neck sous-vide steak
    팜스플랜 목살 수비드 스테이크
    ₩26,900
    ~$19
    Pork jowl sous-vide steak (limited daily)
    항정살 수비드 스테이크
    ₩31,900
    ~$23
    Set for 2 (steak + basil pasta + cod + 2 ades)
    2인 세트
    ₩59,800
    ~$43
    Set for 3
    3인 세트
    ₩89,800
    ~$64
    Red or white sangria
    샹그리아
    ₩7,900
    ~$6
    Fruit ade
    에이드
    ₩4,900
    ~$3.50

    *USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. The menu also lists Spanish beers (₩9,500–13,500) and corkage at ₩30,000. Prices can change.

    Tips for visitors

    • Expect a wait. We waited about 30 minutes. Arrive early or come on a weekday.
    • Order the set. The set for two covers all three signature dishes and is the easiest way to order.
    • Watch the break time. On weekdays the kitchen closes in the afternoon (14:30 or 15:00 until 17:00). Weekends have no break.
    • No kids. It is a no-kids zone, so plan a different place if you travel with children.
    • Parking. There is no on-site parking; use the public lots at the Yongsan 2-ga community center or Haebangchon.

    A nice touch: when we paid on our way out on a cold night, staff handed us hand warmers and mouthwash. Small, but we still remember it.

    Hand warmer and mouthwash given to guests at checkout

    My verdict

    Decalcomanie does a few dishes and does them well. The honey cod lives up to the hype, the basil pasta is comforting, and the sous-vide pork neck is a nice introduction to a very Korean cut in a Western dish. With sangria and friendly, thoughtful service, it is one of the easiest anniversary or date-night picks I know in the Itaewon area. Just be ready to wait.

    Decalcomanie FAQ

    What is Decalcomanie famous for?

    Its honey cod: cod topped with Uiseong garlic aioli and honey on tomato sauce. It costs ₩9,900.

    How do I get to Decalcomanie?

    It is inside Sinheung Market in Haebangchon, uphill from Itaewon and Noksapyeong Station (Line 6). The walk is steep, so a short taxi ride is easiest.

    What are Decalcomanie’s opening hours?

    11:00–21:00 every day. On weekdays there is an afternoon break (14:30–17:00 Monday to Thursday, 15:00–17:00 on Friday). No break on weekends.

    Can I bring children to Decalcomanie?

    No. Decalcomanie is a no-kids zone.

    How much does dinner at Decalcomanie cost?

    The set for two is ₩59,800, about ₩30,000 per person. Add drinks if you want sangria or beer.

    Planning more meals in Seoul? Browse all Seoul restaurant guides, or try Pyongyang cold noodles in Hongdae for a completely different Korean experience.

    Visited: December 2024. Menu and hours last checked: October 15, 2026, on Naver. Please check Naver Map before you go.

    This post is based on my own visit and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.