Anniversary date at a Pangyo restaurant: squid ink risotto, Tobeu Nain

For our anniversary I wanted somewhere nice, and I finally made it to Tobeu Nain (토브나인) in Pangyo, famous as a Pangyo pasta hotspot! The atmosphere is so good that it's already got a reputation as a date spot. Haha. I went in with high expectations.

Where is Tobeu Nain Pangyo Main Branch, and what about parking?

Tobeu Nain Pangyo Main Branch is out on the Sasong-dong edge of Pangyo (56 Sasong-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam), so it's really easy to get to by car. The dedicated car park is huge too, so zero parking stress!

The exterior looks sleek and it was very easy to find. Recommended!

• Address: 56 Sasong-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi
• Parking: dedicated car park, so convenient
• Hours: 10:30–21:00 (closed Mondays)

Atmosphere and seating at Tobeu Nain Pangyo Main Branch

Tobeu Nain Pangyo Main Branch uses the whole building, both the 1st and 2nd floors, so it's really spacious and comfortable. With the classy interior and lighting, I immediately thought there's no better Pangyo date spot!

There are private room seats too, so it's perfect for a family gathering.

I felt the airiness from the entrance and worried about a wait, but thanks to all the seating we got in comfortably.

You order on a tablet at each table, which was really handy. The staff were super kind too, and I felt treated like a guest the whole meal. Haha.

Menu and price range at Tobeu Nain Pangyo

Tobeu Nain has pasta, wood-fired pizza, risotto and a range of drinks, and the menu is so varied that it was hard to choose! Just what you'd expect from a Pangyo pasta restaurant.

Pasta, wood-fired pizza, risotto,

and all kinds of drinks too! The prices felt reasonable for the quality, so it was easy to enjoy without worrying about the bill.

How is the king prawn squid ink risotto?

The king prawn squid ink risotto at Tobeu Nain is a squid ink risotto topped with a big king prawn, and the look of it totally grabs your attention!

The signature "scent of the sea" and nuttiness of the squid ink base soak deep into every grain. It isn't just salty; it fills your mouth with savory umami.

A big king prawn sits on top, and the deep flavor of the ink sauce is crazy good. The risotto wasn't mushy and had a nice firmness in the grain, a proper al dente texture.

What about the mentaiko aglio e olio pasta?

The mentaiko (spicy pollock roe) aglio e olio pasta at Tobeu Nain was a hit too!

On top of the base of garlic aroma and clean olive oil, the salty, umami-rich, popping texture of the roe is amazing. The noodles were cooked just right too.

The roe's distinctive flavor isn't fishy at all; it's nutty and clings to the noodles and prawn, and with every bite the sharp garlic and deep roe taste lingered happily in my mouth.

Blueberry juice and side dishes

A refreshing blueberry juice with the meal cleansed my palate beautifully after the salty roe and the rich squid ink risotto!

The side menu looked solid too, so next time I'm definitely trying the pizza!

Is Tobeu Nain Pangyo worth it for an anniversary date?

At Tobeu Nain Pangyo Main Branch it was more than just filling up: the atmosphere of the space and the delicate flavors gave us a memorable, lovely time. The dishes let fresh ingredients shine, and I felt treated like a guest the whole time, so I can't think of a better choice for an anniversary or special day. If you want both atmosphere and taste in Pangyo, I recommend it without hesitation.

The portions were generous too, so we left full. Atmosphere, taste and parking all hit the mark, so I really recommend it! Haha.

A Pangyo pasta restaurant I strongly recommend for couples looking for a date spot or for a family gathering on a special day!

Whether it's a family gathering, a date or a business meal, I think it's a no-fail place for any purpose!

It was so good that I plan to visit again soon! If you're wondering about a Pangyo date course, do go to Tobeu Nain!