Ansan Italian restaurant for traditional carbonara: That Man's Italian

Today, I’m back with a story about visiting a great pasta spot in Jungang-dong, Ansan, for the first time in ages!

I come to Jungang-dong often, but I never thought to try this area because there weren’t really any good restaurants nearby. Then a friend recently went on a blind date in Ansan and told me there was a great pasta place in Jungang-dong~ So this weekend, I brought my boyfriend to That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge (그남자의이태리식당&라운지)!

An Italian restaurant at the entrance to Jungang-dong, Ansan

When I checked the location, it really was right at the entrance to Jungang-dong in Ansan! I’d only ever gone to lots of bars around here, so I never imagined there would be such a good pasta restaurant in this spot~

After taking the elevator up, we came upon this lovely restaurant entrance :) It felt a little like arriving at a wedding hall. It was clean and bright!! Personally, I think it would be great for a family gathering too~

I had made a reservation before visiting, and we were shown to a window table! It was summer, so the view outside was lush and green, but I think it would be bright and lovely in spring too~

Inside, there was seating for groups as well as several four-person tables. There weren’t an enormous number of seats, so if you’re planning to visit for an important occasion, I think it’s best to reserve ahead!

Ordering is easy through T-order :) The menu images, descriptions, and prices were all clearly displayed, so it was easy to choose.

And the restroom was really well kept. Restrooms matter at a nice restaurant like this, and this one was inside the restaurant.

It was clean and luxurious, which I liked.

The table was already set with knives, spoons, forks, and plates! We visited during the day, but I think it would feel even more glamorous after it got a little darker :)

Bread before the meal and lamb rib steak

The appetizer bread that came before the meal! It was soft, crisp on the outside and tender inside, and dipping it in olive oil and balsamic was fragrant and delicious.

How easy was the lamb rib steak to enjoy?

Lamb Rib Steak

We first ordered the lamb rib steak, which comes with two Australian French racks! At 220g total, it would be a little small for two adults on its own, but it was just the right amount alongside pasta and risotto.

The steak came with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, and those were a special treat too! The beautiful plating was a feast for the eyes as well. Especially when I dipped the lamb into the different appealing sauces according to my taste, I could enjoy its flavor even more.

Personally, this is a menu item I really recommend ordering at That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge. If you love lamb, its wonderful flavor might make you order another serving right away.

Traditional carbonara and spicy aglio e olio

Carbonara

Carbonara

My boyfriend really loves carbonara—traditional carbonara especially. This was traditional egg-based carbonara, but it was prepared to suit more familiar tastes too, so anyone could enjoy it without hesitation.

I don’t usually prefer traditional carbonara because I find it a little eggy, but this one had a familiar flavor while still letting you feel the traditional carbonara style, so I enjoyed it without any hesitation! It was a pasta dish whose full, rich flavor I personally loved.

Aglio e olio

Aglio e Olio

I tend to prefer oil-based pasta over creamy dishes. The description of this spicy aglio e olio, flavored with whole garlic, Cheongyang chili peppers, olive oil, and cheese, made me want to try it! The dishes we had ordered until then were creamy and very oil-forward, right? ;) So I was craving something spicy and ordered this almost at the end of the meal 😁

It was spicier than I expected, but the olive oil balanced that heat beautifully, making this aglio e olio pleasant rather than rich or heavy!! A flavor that stays true to the basics! So if you like oil pasta like I do, I think you’ll definitely enjoy it.