The Elegance of Fusion Chinese Cuisine in Hannam-dong, Honest Review of the Dinner Course at PIECE

A Special Day After a Long Time, Visiting a High-End Chinese Restaurant in Hannam-dong

I finally visited PIECE located in Nine One Hannam, which I've been seeing frequently on Instagram these days! Today is my boyfriend's birthday, so I was looking for a special place and ended up visiting the fine dining Chinese restaurant 'PIECE' in Hannam-dong on a strong recommendation from a friend. Originally, the place I wanted to go to was fully booked for the next three weeks, but I found out that this place has good value for money and a great atmosphere, so I chose it.

When you exit from Exit 3 of Hangangjin Station and walk down the stairs next to the Yongsan Craft Museum for about 300 meters, you will find the Nine One Hannam building. The exterior of Nine One Hannam is sophisticated and luxurious, which raised my expectations from the first glance. PIECE is located on the B2 floor of Gourmet 494 inside the building.

A Modern and Sophisticated Space for Fine Dining Chinese Cuisine

When you take the escalator down to the basement, you will find a dining area called Gourmet 494, and PIECE is located inside. I was expecting traditional Chinese interior since it's a Chinese restaurant, but I was surprised by the modernity as soon as I entered. The overall monochrome sophisticated interior created a luxurious atmosphere.

The table setting was also very luxurious. The tableware placed on a grayish-gold tray enhanced the atmosphere of a special day. We were lucky to be guided to a room, which was a slightly separated space, allowing us to have a private conversation, which was nice.

The Charm of PIECE, Nouvelle Chinois Cuisine

When we received the menu, we learned that PIECE pursues a modern Chinese cuisine called 'Nouvelle Chinois'. It's a new form of Chinese cuisine that started in Hong Kong in the 1980s, combining traditional Chinese cuisine with European cooking techniques. I ordered Chef Kim Jung-hoon's dinner course, which was priced at 165,000 won per person.

Before the course started, the staff kindly checked if there were any food allergies and provided detailed explanations for each course, which was really nice. There was also a wine pairing option, where you could enjoy 5 glasses of wine for an additional 120,000 won with the dinner course. We each ordered just one glass, but if we have the chance to come again, I'd like to try the pairing!

A Delicate Symphony of Flavors, First Impressions of the Dinner Course

The meal started with amuse-bouche. A tart with peas and ham and burdock meat fritters were served in bite-sized portions, making them easy to eat and perfect for whetting the appetite. The salty taste of the ham and the subtle sweetness of the peas harmonized beautifully, leaving a strong impression.

Next was a dish where you wrap Iberico char siu with pumpkin sauce, cucumber, and tomato in a wheat pancake. Interestingly, a wet towel was provided separately for hand cleaning before serving the food, and this detailed service was really impressive. The char siu was made with top-grade Spanish Iberico, and its tender texture and rich aroma were really delightful.

A Symphony of Flavors Unfolding in the Mouth

The next course was a crab and eggplant dish. It was a menu with yuzu-flavored crab meat generously piled on eggplant marinated in Shaoxing wine. The crab meat was really fresh and rich. On top, there was jelly made with broth from old hen and ham, giving it a feel of crab soup or cold dish when you took a bite, and it was really soft and delicious.

The steamed shark fin and risotto that followed were truly amazing. It was a dish where soft steamed shark fin, truffle, and a herb called sorrel were combined on Italian-style cream risotto. The subtle aroma from the truffle on top of the shark fin enhanced the taste, and the clear and deep flavor of the paitan sauce made by boiling chicken bones and legs made the combination of Chinese ingredients and Italian risotto even more special.

From Prawns to Tilefish, the Essence of Seafood

The fourth course, prawn miso sauce spring roll, was also very impressive. Inside the crispy spring roll skin was fresh prawn, and it was served with a homemade chili sauce made by grinding fresh tomatoes. A bisque sauce was spread underneath, allowing you to better appreciate the unique flavor of crustaceans, and the sprout vegetables on top complemented the dish well, achieving perfect harmony without any greasiness or lack of flavor.

For the main course, I chose tilefish fried with a Japanese frying technique. The tilefish fillet, with the bones carefully removed, was fried in a thin batter and served with Chinese yurinchi sauce and green onions. It was light yet retained the unique flavor of tilefish, making it very satisfying. Other options included Iberico yakichashu and stir-fried Korean beef tenderloin, which I definitely want to try on my next visit.

Perfect Ending, a Meal and Dessert with Care

For the meal menu, I chose tantanmen, which had a rich and moderately spicy broth, making it addictive. Another option was mapo tofu, which looked really delicious when I saw it being served at the next table. PIECE uniquely uses chicken broth as the main broth, as it is said to be the clearest and purest among meat broths. Perhaps that's why the food overall had a clear and clean taste, which was really nice.

For dessert, yogurt ice cream and strawberries were served. It was a simple yet perfect combination for refreshing the palate. I chose orange rooibos tea as an after-meal drink, and its subtle orange aroma made my palate feel much fresher after the meal. They even provided a lettering service since it was a birthday, making the time even more special.

A New Discovery in Chinese Cuisine, I Recommend PIECE

PIECE, where you can taste new Chinese cuisine infused with Italian, French, and Japanese techniques! The dining space was excellent, but above all, the service from the staff was really good. They provided detailed explanations for each course, and even offered the considerate option of not explaining if it might interrupt the conversation, which was touching.

The price can certainly be burdensome, but it's a really great place to visit on a special day. The lunch course is cheaper than dinner and can be visited without a reservation, so if you want to experience it without burden, visiting during lunchtime might be a good idea. Please note that reservations are essential for dinner a day in advance!

PIECE is a place I highly recommend for commemorating a special day in Hannam-dong or treating someone special to a wonderful meal. Although it's a Chinese restaurant, it will completely change any preconceptions about Chinese food, offering a new experience. Next time, I want to have an even more special experience with wine pairing!