Ansan Italian restaurant for squid ink risotto: That Man's Italian

While looking for an Italian restaurant in Ansan, I visited That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge (그남자의이태리식당&라운지) near Jungang Station. Of everything I ate that day, the squid ink risotto topped with whole squid was the best.

I also had high expectations for the food because I was told the chef runs the restaurant personally and has built 20 years of experience, including at restaurants in Cheongdam-dong.

How close is it to Jungang Station, and is parking available?

The restaurant is on the sixth floor of Dongwon Building at 40 Gojan 1-gil, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do. It is about 350 m from Exit 1 of Jungang Station. The listed hours were noon to 10 p.m. daily, with a break from 3 to 5 p.m.

Parking is available in the building, and the listing said that ₩2,000 of nearby parking fees would be supported from the meal bill. I arrived around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and got in without waiting. At the time, six tables including ours were occupied, and quite a few people appeared to be visiting with reservations.

Is the space good for a date or family gathering?

The interior was more spacious than I expected. I saw about 10 to 12 tables for four and two rooms that could accommodate six or more people. Couples, family groups, and other guests were dining there during my visit.

The sunlit interior was neat, and there was also a rooftop terrace. I thought it could be nice to have coffee outside after a meal on a pleasant day.

What is on the menu, and how much does it cost?

There were main courses, salads, appetizers, soups, pasta, risotto, and steak. Along with wine, beer, highballs, and other drinks, there were desserts, coffee, and tea, so I thought a group could each choose something to suit their taste.

I was curious about the ten-course signature main course at ₩65,900, but ordered à la carte that day. Coffee was ₩2,900, and the dessert with Häagen-Dazs ice cream and a brownie was ₩4,500. Overall, I did not find the prices overly burdensome.

At the time of my visit, there was a notice saying one egg tart and ice cream giveaway entry was available per table for writing a photo review. There was also a notice saying that following their alerts would get you a glass of wine or a soft drink, and they were handing out calligraphy postcards.

• Squid ink risotto: ₩23,900
• Lamb rib steak: ₩43,900
• Wild Tongyeong octopus ratatouille gratin: ₩22,900
• That Man's Weizen: ₩7,500

What came before the main dishes?

They first brought bread, balsamic sauce, the That Man's Weizen I ordered, and a beer snack. I had a beer while waiting for the food.

Why was the squid ink risotto the most memorable?

The squid ink risotto is a signature dish topped with a whole squid from Ulleungdo. A large squid was set on top of the risotto.

It had the nutty flavor and savory depth distinctive to squid ink. The risotto was rich but did not feel excessively greasy to me.

In particular, the fire-grilled flavor from the squid worked well with the risotto. It was springy rather than tough. I had come looking for pasta, but the risotto was my favorite dish that day, and I would order it again next time.

How were the lamb rib steak and its accompaniments?

I ordered the lamb rib steak medium rare. I was concerned about the characteristic smell of lamb, but it tasted clean, without any unpleasant odor. It came with five sauces as well.

I first tried the meat without sauce. The thick meat itself tasted good, so I was satisfied eating it plain as well.

Under the meat were grilled mushrooms, zucchini, tomato, and eggplant. The vegetables had a sweetness that went well with the meat.

What was the best way to eat the octopus ratatouille gratin?

The wild Tongyeong octopus ratatouille gratin also suited my taste. The octopus was chewy, and the tomato sauce and cheese made it rich and savory.

I dipped the accompanying baguette in the sauce, and preferred it with the bread rather than on its own. It was a dish worth considering when you want something other than pasta.

The squid ink risotto was the most memorable part of this meal, and I was also satisfied with the lamb rib steak and octopus gratin. With a broad menu and private rooms, I felt it could work well for a date or family gathering.