Hopyeong-dong lunch restaurant: truffle steak risotto at Mac9Table

Mac9Table at the Mt. Cheonma entrance in Hopyeong-dong: a couple's weekend lunch

Mac9Table is a pasta and risotto restaurant at the entrance to Mt. Cheonma in Hopyeong-dong, Namyangju, and my wife and I went for a weekend lunch. The short version: the food, the atmosphere and the prices all satisfied us, a great pasta spot in Hopyeong-dong.

I have good memories of it from its earlier days as Chef Mac9 (쉐프맥나인), when it was already a great restaurant. This was my first visit since it moved, so I was even more excited.

Mac9Table's interior and floor-to-ceiling Mt. Baekbong view

The new space isn't bigger than the old one, but the full-length windows make it feel very open.

Natural light pours in and makes the room bright and pleasant, and looking toward the windows, Baekbongsan is framed like a picture, a lovely view. Thanks to those windows, we never felt cramped for the whole meal.

Where is Mac9Table and where to park?

You can park in the open lot next to the building, so getting there was fairly easy. The mood is just right for couples and married pairs, and the spot is also handy for a meal after hiking or strolling on Mt. Cheonma.

Mac9Table parking lot

How big is Mac9Table's yuzu salad?

This time we ordered the yuzu salad, cream arrabbiata and truffle cream steak risotto.

The yuzu salad came first, and I was surprised by how much bigger the bowl was than I expected. It was packed with leafy greens and lettuce, topped with nutty sliced almonds and steak, easily enough to stand in for a meal.

The yuzu dressing impressed me most. Its fresh aroma whets the appetite without being harsh, so anyone can enjoy it. The salad was satisfying on its own, but eating it between bites of pasta and risotto made the whole meal more harmonious. It balanced out the richer dishes nicely.

Cream arrabbiata in a stone pot with nurungji (scorched rice)

Mac9Table's cream arrabbiata is a cream pasta generously loaded with seafood such as mussels, clams and shrimp, served in a stone pot (ttukbaegi). It had a different charm from an ordinary cream pasta, and the variety of seafood gave it a really good flavor.

What stood out most was the stone pot itself. It kept the food hot throughout the meal, so we enjoyed it down to the last bite. The cream sauce was rich and nutty, blending well with the savory depth of the seafood.

The real treat of this dish was the nurungji (scorched rice) hidden inside. After finishing the noodles, we found the nurungji beneath the remaining cream sauce. Scooped up with a spoon, it felt like eating a fancy soup.

If it's your first visit, I really hope you try this. The portion is generous too, plenty for two people to share.

Truffle cream steak risotto: texture and taste

Mac9Table's truffle cream steak risotto comes topped with plenty of tenderly grilled steak, and it was a highly satisfying dish, as you'd expect from a top Hopyeong-dong pasta restaurant. From the first bite, the meat and the truffle aroma blended naturally, and a faint smoky char on the steak added even more flavor.

The texture of the rice impressed me especially. They use barley along with regular rice for a pleasantly chewy bite, and it had the true charm of a risotto.

Chewy king oyster mushrooms added another texture to enjoy. The truffle oil wasn't overpowering either, so the dish was easy to enjoy to the end.

Mac9Table prices: what lunch for two cost

At Mac9Table, every risotto is ₩19,900 and every pasta is ₩17,900. Considering the portions and quality, the prices felt quite reasonable, and that value is a big reason I liked Mac9Table even more.

Mac9Table, great value for money

My wife and I ordered a salad, a pasta, a risotto and two drinks, and the total came to about ₩50,000. With dining-out prices these days, that's a truly satisfying bill.

Blue Ribbon, drinks and service at Mac9Table

I hear Mac9Table has received the Blue Ribbon more than six times. It has every right to be proud as a Hopyeong-dong pasta restaurant. Draft beer and wine are available too, so it's nice for a light drink, and it works for dates, family meals or get-togethers with friends.

Above all, the staff were friendly, which made the meal even more pleasant. We were happy with the service as well as the food.

Why Mac9Table is a pasta restaurant worth visiting in Hopyeong-dong

If you're looking for a good restaurant or pasta spot in Hopyeong-dong, I recommend Mac9Table. It had an open, airy interior, hearty food and reasonable prices, all in one place. It's good after a walk or hike on Mt. Cheonma, and I think it would work well as a date course for couples or married pairs. If you want a good-value Western restaurant in Hopyeong-dong, do visit.