Squid gochujang risotto at a Pocheon Italian restaurant: From Italy

Where is From Italy and when is it open?

From Italy (프롬이태리) is an Italian restaurant near Gomori Reservoir in Pocheon, at 669 Jugyeopsan-ro, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi, where you can get properly made pasta and steak. Today I'm sharing my honest review of my visit.

It's easy to find along the drive course around Gomori Reservoir and Gwangneung Arboretum, and the scenery is so pretty that it works nicely as part of a drive.

• Wednesday to Friday: 11:30 – 20:40 (break time 15:30 – 17:00)
• Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 – 20:40 (no break time on weekends and public holidays)
• Regular closing days: every Monday and Tuesday

What are the atmosphere and private rooms like?

From Italy is a modern, stylish standalone building that blends well with the green nature around it. In front there's an outdoor garden with nicely kept landscaping and a walking path, so it was lovely for taking photos or strolling around before or after the meal.

Inside, on two floors, the high ceilings, chandeliers and antique decor give it a classic, elegant feel, and the private rooms on one side are perfect for family gatherings or small groups,

and the 2nd-floor hall, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, felt even more charming thanks to the view of the garden outside.

From Italy's signature dishes and prices

The signature dishes at From Italy are gebawi pasta (₩29,000), zucca dolce (₩37,000), scallop basil risotto (₩28,000) and blueberry pizza (₩33,000).

Gebawi pasta (₩29,000)

The undisputed No. 1 signature of From Italy, impressive from the first look

A spicy, savory cream pasta topped with a black-ink puffed bread (gongalppang) shaped like a huge rock and crispy fried mini crabs.

Zucca dolce (₩37,000)

Art made from the sweetness of kabocha squash and the umami of seafood

A whole kabocha squash filled with a smooth cream sauce base and plenty of fresh seafood toppings.

Scallop basil risotto (₩28,000)

Fresh basil filling your mouth, meeting plump scallops

A risotto built on fragrant, fresh basil pesto, with the texture of each grain of rice kept intact.

Blueberry pizza (₩33,000)

An unusual wood-fired pizza that wins you over with tangy sweetness

A From Italy specialty: thin, crisp dough generously topped with savory cheese and blueberries.

Why people visit From Italy near Gwangneung Arboretum

First, they say it has won a Blue Ribbon six years in a row, and the quality of the pasta, pizza and risotto is excellent across the board.

Second, the exotic interior is so tastefully done that nearly every corner works as a photo spot, which makes it great for taking pictures.

Third, there's a garden where you can enjoy a cup of tea after the meal.

Fourth, it's a proven restaurant that, they say, has been visited by various TV and media outlets.

Fifth, the menu lineup was reportedly developed by the owner-chef himself, who comes from a 5-star hotel.

Starter bread: 14-hour aged black-ink ciabatta

The starter bread at From Italy was a black-ink ciabatta with a look I wasn't used to.

They told us it was made in-house after 14 hours of aging, and the chewy black-ink ciabatta paired well with the balsamic sauce, so it was a great way to whet the appetite.

How does the gebawi pasta taste?

The gebawi pasta came with a big, round, puffed bread (gongalppang) covering the pasta; its rough, crispy-looking surface looked just like a rock, fitting the name "gebawi" (crab rock), and the well-fried crab on top was crunchy and salty,

The puffed bread around it was good on its own for its crisp texture, but if you let it soak in the sauce, it absorbs the sauce and melts in your mouth, a fun twist in texture.

Then I tried the pasta itself: the sauce had a deep, savory umami, and it was neither bland nor light. Above all, I gave a thumbs-up to the generous amount of seafood. The rich, thick sauce, the seafood and the crispy puffed bread worked wonderfully together and filled my mouth with flavor.

Isn't the whole squid gochujang risotto too heavy?

The whole squid gochujang risotto comes with a whole squid, crisp outside and tender inside and grilled golden, sitting on the risotto. It has an overwhelming presence and a flashy look made for social media photos.

The squid, cut into bite-size pieces, was springy and chewy, and the mildly spicy gochujang (red chili paste) wiped away the richness that risotto can sometimes have,

so right down to the last spoonful I never got tired of it, just a clean, addictive savory flavor.

Blueberry and gorgonzola half-and-half pizza, the best of the day

The blueberry and gorgonzola half-and-half pizza, appealing because you get two flavors on one pie, was my best of the day at From Italy.

Fresh out of the wood-fired oven, the pizza still carried its warmth, and the gorgonzola side was impressive, with plenty of mushroom toppings on thin dough.

The dough was chewy yet crisp, piled with mushrooms that were great to bite into, and with the sauce on the side it blended with the savory cheese for an even richer taste, while the blueberry cream cheese side on the other half was moist, filling my mouth with a sweet, tangy flavor.

Getting two different charms from one pizza made it even more satisfying.

For a final palate cleanser, I finished a lovely meal with a refreshing green grape ade and a grapefruit ade.

Overall verdict: who should go to From Italy?

From Italy in Gomori, Pocheon, is a great restaurant to visit when you want special, great-looking Italian dishes along with an atmospheric date or a family meal out. The food made with care and the elegant atmosphere came together for high satisfaction, and it was an appealing space that makes you want to come back after one visit. If you want to make a special meal and a memory, I recommend stopping by at least once.