A Culinary Gem on Jeongdong-gil: Discovering Odd House
Nestled on the historic Jeongdong-gil, across from Ewha Girls’ High School, stands a charming restaurant housed within a building over a century old. This architectural beauty captivated the author, leading to a delightful lunch visit with their spouse at Odd House, a brunch and wine restaurant formerly the site of the Shin-A Ilbo newspaper building.
The restaurant, which opens at 11 AM, is described as a garden terrace brunch and wine bar within the 100-year-old modern cultural heritage site, Shin-A Memorial Hall. Odd House Osteria offers a unique dining experience.
The entrance itself provides a distinctive, almost European feel, reminiscent of stepping into a cave.
Upon reviewing the menu, the author’s spouse noted that the prices were comparable to other pasta restaurants, dispelling an initial impression of high cost.
Descending the stairs reveals a colorful display of wines and spirits to the right, adding a vibrant touch to the ambiance.
The interior is thoughtfully decorated with vintage furniture, lighting, and posters collected over time, creating an atmosphere enhanced by music that adapts to the mood and era.
A striking block-style counter enhances the restaurant’s aesthetic.
A Taste of Innovation: The Pasta Selection
While initially considering the Brunch Platter due to its diverse ingredients (Sevelac sausage, bacon, hash browns, soft-boiled egg, tomato, French toast, vegetables, maple syrup), it was unavailable due to ingredient depletion. Consequently, the author opted for the Gras Fern Pasta and the Ragu Pasta.
Appetizer and Ragu Pasta Experience
The meal began with a complimentary Focaccia served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
The Ragu Pasta, priced at 25, featured beef, pork, tomato, Reggiano cheese, celery, garlic, and rigatoni noodles.
The rigatoni was cooked al dente, with a slightly firm texture, and its large size allowed the rich ragu sauce to penetrate well. The tomato sauce had a pleasant, mild acidity, and the portion size was generous. Overall, it was a satisfying dish.
The Star of the Show: Gras Fern Pasta
The Gras Fern Pasta, priced at 24, was prepared with fern, perilla oil, perilla leaves, garlic, onion, butter, and linguine.
This pasta exceeded expectations, offering a remarkable balance of flavors. The nutty richness of the perilla sauce combined with the fresh aroma of perilla oil created a sophisticated and delicious experience. The author was so impressed by the quality of ingredients and the unique combination that they expressed a desire to recreate it at home. In hindsight, the unavailability of the brunch platter led to the discovery of this exceptional dish, which felt like a stroke of luck.
A minor point of note was the absence of pickles, leading the author to wish they had ordered a side salad.
A Glimpse into History: The Shin-A Ilbo Memorial
Following the enjoyable meal, the author explored the exhibition space located behind the kitchen after settling the bill. This area is dedicated to the Shin-A Ilbo newspaper and Mr. Jang Ki-bong.
The memorial is housed in a small room.
The Shin-A Ilbo was founded in Seoul in 1965 by Jang Ki-bong, with the principles of freedom, neutrality, and public interest. It ceased publication in 1980 due to the government’s media consolidation policy but was revived in 2003 by Lee Hyung-yeol.
Jang Ki-bong also pioneered multi-color printing in Korean newspapers with the Shin-A Ilbo. After its absorption into Kyeonghyang Shinmun in 1980, he held positions at Hankook Ilbo. His contributions to media development were recognized with the Moran Medal of the Order of Civil Merit and the World Journalist Award.
– Excerpt from Namuwiki –
For those visiting Deoksugung Palace or strolling along Jeongdong-gil and seeking Western cuisine, Odd House is a highly recommended destination.
Wishing you well!
Odd House is located at Shin-A Memorial Hall, G Floor, 33 Jeongdong-gil, Jung District, Seoul. You can find more information at https://naver.me/Fyxlo7JL.
Odd House
Shin-A Memorial Hall, G Floor, 33 Jeongdong-gil, Jung District, Seoul
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