Nonhyeon pasta and steak spot: solo honey cod steak lunch, Pasta Trio

When I discover a new dish, I just have to try it. I can't rest until I do.

This time, the moment I saw the Spanish honey cod steak on the menu, I thought, "I have to eat this!" So I went to Pasta Trio, a pasta spot near Nonhyeon Station, just for it :)

Where is Pasta Trio, and what are its hours?

Pasta Trio is at 545-15 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Miju Building, Unit 102). It's open 11:30–22:00, with a break from 14:00 to 17:00. There are single-person tables, so eating solo is fine, and special menu items include the Lee Young-ja PICK special steak and the Spanish honey cod steak.

It's about a 5-minute walk from Nonhyeon Station Exit 5, so it was easy to find.

Pasta Trio wait times: should you arrive at opening?

Even though I arrived right at the 11:30 weekday opening, almost every table was full before 12:00. It's famous as a place the TV personality Lee Young-ja loves, so I'd been dying to go ^^ but I heard the waits are crazy, so I did the opening-time run, haha. If you want to eat in comfort, I really recommend getting there at opening.

Pasta Trio interior and atmosphere

Honestly, one reason I picked Pasta Trio was the lovely terrace... but it was raining, so I couldn't sit outside, which was a bit of a shame. The moment I stepped inside, though, that disappointment faded.

Classic and vintage touches blend together naturally for a warm, comfortable feel. The lighting is soft too, so I felt good the whole meal.

There are single seats, so eating alone feels no pressure, and with tables for two and four it also suits dates or get-togethers with friends.

Solo order: Spanish honey cod steak and spinach arancini

• Spanish honey cod steak (₩29,000)
• Spinach arancini (₩10,000)

After much deliberation, I went with the Spanish honey cod steak and the spinach arancini (fried rice balls)! Pasta Trio is known for its pasta even among Nonhyeon's popular restaurants, but steak plus pasta would be too filling, so I chose arancini instead!

You order easily with the QR code on the table! You just pay when you leave.

The tableware is already set, too! Fitting for a steak place, the cutlery was classy and pretty.

The Pasta Trio menu is packed with eye-catching dishes, from pasta to pilaf to steak!

How does Pasta Trio's Spanish honey cod steak (₩29,000) taste?

The Spanish honey cod steak at Pasta Trio is ₩29,000, and to cut to the chase, it was far better than I expected. It's no exaggeration to say I'd have come just for this dish.

The first thing I noticed was the glossy tomato-based sauce. With the first bite I wondered, "Is there actually honey in this?" A gentle sweetness wrapped around my mouth.

The cod was so tender. It was moist enough to flake apart along its grain with just a nudge of the fork, and it melted on my tongue, which was memorable. Piling plenty of sauce on that soft cod is pure heaven... you guys ....

The honey tomato sauce isn't just sweet. The freshness of ripe tomatoes and a deep savory richness come together so you keep wanting another spoonful.

Seriously, it was so good that I'm totally smitten for the first time in a while... this honey cod steak! If you visit Pasta Trio in Nonhyeon, please try this one ^^

There was no fishy taste at all. The mild cod and the sweet, rich tomato sauce brought out the best in each other.

Guys, I recommend this dish 200 times over!!! Even if you don't usually like fish, please order it at least once ^^

Is the spinach arancini (₩10,000) a good side dish?

The spinach arancini at Pasta Trio is ₩10,000. Steak plus pasta seemed like too much food, so I picked it as a light side.

The plate and the look of it were so pretty again .... haha

The outside was so crisp it made a "crunch" at the first bite, and when I split it in half, it was full of moist, fresh green spinach rice.

The tomato sauce served with it had the fresh flavor you get in a tomato pasta! Dipping the crunchy arancini in that bright tomato sauce balanced the faint spinach aroma and the sauce nicely.

It also has chewy mozzarella inside, so you get a different texture from the crisp, moist arancini, which made the meal fun!

Tip: dip the arancini in the honey cod sauce

The real tip! Dip the spinach arancini generously in the Spanish honey cod steak sauce. The sweet, rich tomato sauce soaks into the crisp coating and brings out even more nuttiness and savory depth, and it vanishes in an instant, totally melt-in-your-mouth~

I'd definitely order this combo again next time. haha

Good to know before visiting Pasta Trio

• I arrived right at the 11:30 weekday opening and it filled up quickly!
• If you're worried about waiting, reserve in advance or join the waitlist on Catchtable
• Steak dishes like the Spanish honey cod steak take a little time to cook, so it's best to visit with time to spare!

Verdict: would I go back to Pasta Trio?

It was my first time trying the Spanish honey cod steak, and I immediately understood why it's the signature dish at Pasta Trio in Nonhyeon. The combination of melt-in-your-mouth cod and the sweet yet deeply savory tomato sauce was really impressive, and the spinach arancini was better than expected, which raised my satisfaction even more.

With its great atmosphere, it's a place I'd return to for a date or any day I want a good meal. My revisit rating: ★★★★★ (200%)