A Hotel Chef Hiding by the Stream
If you’ve lived near Yangjae Stream (양재천) long enough, you know Miette (미에뜨). It’s one of those neighborhood institutions — the Italian place on the second floor of a modest building along the stream path, run by a former Shilla Hotel chef who’s been cooking here for years. Locals don’t need to be told about it; they just keep coming back.
My family has been coming here every Christmas for years. It’s become a tradition — the kind of restaurant where the staff recognizes you, the food never disappoints, and the lush greenery outside the windows makes every meal feel like a small occasion.
The squid ink risotto — jet black, slightly sweet, and loaded with baby octopus. This is the dish.
The Squid Ink Risotto: The Reason You Come
Let me get straight to it. The squid ink risotto (먹물 리조또) is why Miette exists in my personal food universe. The rice is cooked dense — not soupy, not stiff — with that perfect al dente chew that tells you the chef actually knows what risotto is supposed to be. The squid ink gives it a deep, briny sweetness that never crosses into salty territory. Baby octopus tentacles and dots of what tastes like a saffron or pumpkin cream add texture and color against the jet black canvas.
It’s the kind of dish where you take your first bite and go quiet. Not because it’s shocking, but because it’s right. The umami builds slowly, the sweetness lingers, and before you know it, you’re scraping the plate. No MSG, no shortcuts — just a chef who spent years in a five-star kitchen and decided to do things properly in his own place.
Hangover Pasta: My Father’s Order, Every Time
Every family has that one dish at their regular spot. For my dad, it’s the hangover pasta (해장파스타). It comes in a cute yellow pot, steaming and fragrant, with a generous whole shrimp draped over the top. The broth is spicy — think Korean-style heat meets Italian seafood bisque — and it’s exactly the kind of thing you want after a long night, or honestly, any cold afternoon.
The hangover pasta — served in a yellow pot with a whole shrimp and that spicy, soul-warming broth.
This is Korean-Italian fusion done right. It’s not trying to be authentic Italian, and it doesn’t pretend to be Korean food either. It’s something uniquely its own — the kind of dish that could only exist in a Seoul kitchen run by a chef who grew up eating jjigae and trained making ragu.
The Full Spread
We never order lightly at Miette. A typical family visit looks like this: squid ink risotto for me, hangover pasta for dad, and a round of shared plates for the table.
The Caesar salad is generous — crisp romaine, shaved parmesan, crunchy croutons, and cherry tomatoes on a wide black plate. It’s a proper salad, not a garnish pretending to be a course. Order it as a starter and share.
The Caesar salad — big enough to share, crunchy enough to justify the order.
The seafood tomato pasta is another standout. Clams, whole shrimp, and chunks of seafood tossed in a robust tomato sauce with arugula on top. The sauce has real depth — slow-cooked, slightly smoky, with just enough acidity to balance the richness of the shellfish. If you’re not in the mood for risotto (are you sure?), this is your backup plan.
Seafood tomato pasta — clams, shrimp, and a tomato sauce that actually tastes like tomatoes.
The Space: Renovated and Beautiful
Miette recently renovated. The dining room has moved up to the second floor, and the first floor is now a casual cafe. The upstairs space is airy — high white ceilings, geometric pendant lights, and floor-to-ceiling windows framed by dense greenery outside. Green leather chairs, warm oak tables, and enough space between seats that you don’t feel crammed. It feels like a European bistro that somehow landed in Gangnam.
The renovated 2F dining room — geometric pendant lights, high ceilings, and lush greenery outside every window.
If you’re visiting in spring (late March–April) or autumn (October–November), try to snag a window seat. The greenery along the stream is at its best, and having that backdrop while eating squid ink risotto is a memory you’ll keep.
Practical Info
| Restaurant | Miette 미에뜨 |
| Location | Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu (near Yangjae Stream) |
| Address | 서울특별시 강남구 양재천로 195 나노빌딩 2F |
| Phone | 02-571-7200 |
| Menu | Squid Ink Risotto ~₩25,000 · Hangover Pasta ~₩23,000 · Seafood Pasta ₩21,800 · Caesar Salad ₩17,800 |
| Hours | 11:00–22:00 (Break 15:00–17:00) |
| Closed | Check CatchTable for holiday closures |
| Parking | Maebong paid lot behind building (매봉유료주차장, 1hr free) |
| Reservation | Recommended via CatchTable |
| Google Maps | View on Google Maps |
Miette is about a 10-minute walk from Maebong Station (매봉역) Exit 1 on Line 3, or a short taxi ride from Gangnam Station. If you’re exploring the Gangnam area, combine it with a walk along Yangjae Stream — one of Seoul’s most beautiful urban paths.
FAQ
Q: What is Miette (미에뜨)? A: Miette is an Italian restaurant in Gangnam’s Dogok-dong neighborhood, located along Yangjae Stream. The chef is a former Shilla Hotel cook who’s been running the place for years, specializing in Italian dishes made without artificial seasonings.
Q: What should I order at Miette? A: The squid ink risotto (먹물 리조또) is the signature — rich, slightly sweet, and packed with baby octopus. The hangover pasta (해장파스타) is a unique Korean-Italian fusion dish with spicy seafood broth. The seafood tomato pasta and Caesar salad are also excellent shared plates.
Q: Is Miette good for tourists visiting Seoul? A: Absolutely. The restaurant is in the Gangnam area, accessible from Maebong Station (Line 3). The menu has photos, and the atmosphere is welcoming. Pair it with a walk along Yangjae Stream for cherry blossoms in spring or golden leaves in autumn.
Q: How much does a meal at Miette cost? A: Pasta and risotto dishes range from ₩21,000 to ₩25,000 (about $15–18 USD). Salads are around ₩17,000. For a full meal with a starter and main, expect around ₩40,000–50,000 per person — excellent value for hotel-trained cooking in Gangnam.
Q: Do I need a reservation? A: Yes, especially for dinner and weekends. Miette is popular with locals. Book through CatchTable (캐치테이블) to secure a spot, and request a window seat for the stream view if possible.
Q: Where exactly is Miette located near Yangjae Stream? A: It’s on the 2nd floor of the Nano Building (나노빌딩) at 195 Yangjaecheon-ro, Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu. The nearest subway is Maebong Station (매봉역) Exit 1 on Line 3, about a 10-minute walk. Paid parking is available at the lot behind the building (1 hour free).