Cycle 17 – Item 116
Post 5,960
1 (Fri) May 2026
Emmental Mushroom Pizza
0.5
by No More Pizza
at home
-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-
with W and IZ
WORK
Every spring and fall, the Seoul Metropolitan Library (SML) hosts a program called Seoul Outdoor Library (SOL), where visitors read books and engage in a wide range of activities on the open-air lawn at Seoul Plaza. SOL is held on weekends from May to June, and September to October. In addition to book-related companies, partners from various industries are invited to operate booths showcasing art, music, food, etc.
A few months back, the marketing team at Penguin Random House (PRH) had approached us about hosting a booth at SOL this spring, to which I vaguely agreed, but no details confirmed. PRH reached out to SML, who also agreed in principle. But then, I completely forgot all about it.
April 6 (Monday): SML contacts us for an update on preparations.
April 7 (Tuesday): after discussing with the team and determining that time was too limited for us to prepare, we decline to participate.
April 8 (Wednesday): the head of the SOL organizing team visits our office with a pitch for reconsideration, agreeing to all of our terms and pledging full support in operating the booth. That evening, I convene an emergency meeting with the PRH team, who pledge full financial support to design, produce, and maintain the booth, including books.
April 9 (Thursday): with exactly 3 weeks remaining before set-up day, we confirm our participation with SML and shift into overdrive to get everything ready.
April 29 (Wednesday): in 15 working days, we finish final preparations, less than 24 hours prior to our scheduled arrival on site.
From May 1 through June 28, we will be here for 9 consecutive weekends.
As yet undetermined whether we will return when SOL resumes in September.
Although commercial activity is prohibited in Seoul Plaza (i.e., no sales), we are using the opportunity to expand our brand presence, enhance our partnership with PRH, and promote our upcoming events, including WOW (May 16-17), Cho Yeeun Book Launch (May 23), and Seoul International Book Fair (June 24-28).
So proud of my team for pulling it off – even with additional time, the booth couldn’t be any more perfect (i.e., no more booth – see below).
DINNER
No More Pizza is a pizza restaurant. Offers Koreanized pies. Primarily a delivery operation. Part of a franchise chain, currently with over 150 locations.
I knew that I wouldn’t enjoy the food – no specific evidence, only pure and certain gut instinct – but ordered anyway just for the opportunity to ridicule the name of the business. The tagline: “Anything more? No more!” is likely an awkward paraphrase/translation of “이것보다는 더 이상 없다,” meaning that there is nothing better than this, above this, beyond this. As read in English, however, “No More Pizza” declares that we should stop eating pizza altogether, here and everywhere.
The Emmental Mushroom Pizza was horrible. Taking a first bite, W cackled and said to me with sadistic glee: “You’re going to hate this.” The creamy sauce was absurdly sweet, possibly condensed milk. The crust was dry and spongy. The cheese and mushrooms were rubbery and flavorless. In every respect, the worst pizza that I’ve had in recent memory.
Wings were disgusting, too.
THIS PLACE IS BANNED.
(See RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)
(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)
(See HANSIK)
(See BOOZE)