Mapo, Seoul bar for gnocchi and cocktails: Rosetta

I visited Rosetta while looking for a spot with a great atmosphere near Hapjeong Station 🍷

Rosetta’s blend of red and wood tones

This time, I came by to have a meal and a light drink! The moment you walk into Rosetta, the deep reds and wood tones immediately catch your eye ❤️🤎

The lighting is soft and overall quite dim, so it felt like a place where you can really take in the atmosphere when you visit in the evening rather than during the day.

In particular, the red patterned wallpaper, wood frames, and classic wall lights all came together to create a more old-world, exotic feel than a typical casual restaurant. There were framed pictures and ornaments placed throughout too, so it was fun to look around.

Food and drinks we ordered with dinner

There was quite a variety of food on the menu, so we debated what to get before ordering burrata cheese with peach tomatoes and kabocha cream gnocchi.

For drinks with the food, we also ordered Inedit Damm draft beer, Rosetta’s signature Madame X cocktail, and Long Tea, haha.

Burrata cheese and peach tomatoes

The first dish out was burrata cheese and peach tomatoes 🧀🍅 The tomatoes complemented burrata’s signature soft, creamy texture, making this an easy dish to eat without feeling heavy.

Cheese dishes can sometimes feel rich overall, but the tomatoes made each bite refreshing, and I loved that combination. When you order several dishes to have with drinks, having one light dish like this makes the balance feel just right!

Kabocha cream gnocchi

Next was the kabocha cream gnocchi 🎃 I love gnocchi, so I had high hopes for this dish. The gentle sweetness of kabocha squash and the cream sauce came together for an overall soft, substantial feel.

The gnocchi’s pleasantly chewy texture with the creamy sauce made it a dish that definitely felt filling after a bite! I think it would be an especially good match for anyone who loves kabocha squash.

Madame X, the signature cocktail

Rosetta’s signature cocktail, Madame X 🍸 Since it was their signature, I was curious and gave it a try. It feels like a better way to say you’ve really come to the bar than ordering a standard cocktail, so it could be worth trying on a first visit. They even sprayed it with edible perfume, hehe.

The different appeal of the full-height windows and curtained booths

Near the entrance, full-height windows look out onto the street and connect to a terrace-like area, which felt quite different from the rich atmosphere inside.

More than anything, it was memorable because it was not the usual clean, bright restaurant style. The red color and antique interior gave the space a very clear concept ✨ The lighting also makes photos come out atmospheric, so I think it would suit people who want to enjoy the mood of the place itself as much as the food.

Along with standard tables, there were booth-style seats toward the back that were lightly divided by curtains, which made the space feel cozy. They looked nice for having a quiet conversation over a meal, and the calm overall mood felt well suited to a date or dinner on a special occasion!

A dinner that was easy to pair with several dishes

❤️ Overall, I liked the combination on this visit: a light dish like burrata cheese with peach tomatoes, a satisfying dish like kabocha cream gnocchi, plus beer and cocktails.

Rather than having just one dish, it felt like a good place to visit when you want to enjoy several foods and drinks together. If you are looking for a place in Hapjeong for dinner and a drink, I think it is worth stopping by at least once :) There is a relatively varied menu to choose from too, so it would work nicely for a date or a meal with friends where you can share several dishes! If I visit again, I would like to try the other menu items one by one 🤍