Magok Italian restaurant, packed weeknight & Hanwoo carpaccio: Romaok

Where is Romaok Magok and how do you get there?

Romaok Magok (로마옥 마곡) is on the 3rd floor of the LG Arts Center Seoul building, 54m from Exit 4 of Magongnaru Station and a 2-minute walk from Exit 3 or 4. It connects straight to the subway station, so access is excellent.

On a weekday evening I decided to have a cozy date with my wife, for the first time in a while, somewhere with great atmosphere and great Italian food. After searching for ages, we booked ahead at Romaok Magok, near Magongnaru Station, which is known for its flavor and mood well enough to be listed in the Blue Ribbon Survey.

Even the building interior, riding the escalator up in LG Arts Center, felt grand and sleek, so both my wife and I were already in high spirits before the meal.

On the way up to the 3rd floor there is also a stylish photo zone for the musical Dracula, so it struck me as a perfect spot before or after a show, or as a date course.

Do you need a reservation at Romaok Magok on a weekday evening?

Romaok Magok was full even on a weekday evening. We had booked ahead, yet a "tables full" notice was posted right there on the standing pad at the entrance, which honestly surprised me.

The entrance, with its elegant arched interior and soft light spilling through the glass windows, created a dreamy mood. It is a hugely popular Blue Ribbon spot in Magok even on weekday evenings, and I thought we would have faced a very long wait if we hadn't reserved.

Atmosphere and service at Romaok Magok

Inside, Romaok Magok is styled like a European restaurant with arches and classic lighting. Arched structures wrapping the pillars and ceiling, classic lights, and little candlesticks and decorative objects came together into a romantic mood, as if we had stepped into a fine-dining restaurant in Europe.

The air conditioning was also blasting, so we forgot all about the humid heat outside, and it was cool and comfortable. Even on a hot summer evening we could enjoy refined Italian food feeling dry, without a drop of sweat. It was the best possible environment.

The staff were very friendly too, confirming our reservation and showing us to a table with a nice atmosphere.

What we ordered at Romaok Magok and the prices

At Romaok Magok we ordered three dishes: beef carpaccio (₩19,000), Napoli mare pomodoro pasta (₩27,000) and fresh truffle Hanwoo white ragu pasta (₩29,000). You order on the touchscreen tablet menu set on the table.

There were a variety of salads, mains and pastas, so we browsed the menu slowly and, after some deliberation, picked three main dishes in total.

We chose the fresh beef carpaccio as the appetizer, and for the main pastas we confidently ordered the Napoli mare pomodoro and Romaok Magok's signature, the fresh truffle Hanwoo white ragu pasta.

Bread and herb oil to start

As soon as we finished ordering, bread arrived neatly with a special herb oil sauce.

The bread was crisp outside and chewy inside. I dipped it lightly in the fragrant oil, and the nutty, salty flavor gently teased my tongue and really got my appetite going.

How does Romaok Magok's beef carpaccio taste?

Romaok Magok's beef carpaccio is an appetizer of thinly sliced Hanwoo (Korean beef) top round topped with shaved cheese, arugula and capers. It arrived first, with a gorgeous, glistening look.

I carefully wrapped arugula and cheese in a slice of beef, and the moment it went in my mouth it melted softly like cream ice cream. There was no gaminess at all, just a clean, nutty savoriness bursting through my mouth.

Thanks to its fresh, clean taste, it was a perfect appetizer that left my mouth feeling refreshed.

Fresh truffle Hanwoo white ragu pasta

The fresh truffle Hanwoo white ragu pasta, Romaok Magok's signature, was the highlight of the evening: richly simmered Hanwoo white ragu sauce generously topped with slices of fresh truffle. The moment it hit the table, the fragrant, deep truffle aroma struck my nose.

I portioned it onto my small plate, mixed the noodles and sauce, and took a big bite. The deep flavor of fresh truffle that spreads as you chew and the nuttiness of the long-simmered Hanwoo ragu blended wonderfully. My wife said it was easily the best pasta she'd had recently and kept going with her fork without stopping. You could feel the overwhelming skill and quality you'd expect from a place near Seoul Botanic Park and LG Arts Center.

Napoli mare pomodoro pasta

The Napoli mare pomodoro pasta is seafood, including grilled shrimp, clams and scored squid, with homemade tomato sauce. It came out last, and again the look of it grabbed my attention right away.

It was generously loaded with fresh seafood: big grilled shrimp, plump clams and prettily scored squid, and the light, fresh homemade tomato sauce soaked moistly into the noodles.

Picking up squid, plump shrimp and clam meat with my fork, I found the springy texture of the seafood and the clean tomato sauce struck a wonderful balance with the heaviness of the white ragu pasta, helping finish the meal cleanly.

Complimentary homemade ice cream

Just as we were sitting there satisfied after the meal, a staff member brought us a carefully prepared homemade ice cream dessert as a complimentary service.

Fresh raspberry syrup and crunchy, nutty crumble were prettily plated over cool white ice cream. I took a big spoonful, and the sweetness and chill filled my mouth, a perfect finish that left my palate completely refreshed.

How does parking work at Romaok Magok?

Customers of Romaok Magok get 2 hours of free LG Arts Center parking, and additional parking fees are discounted by 50%. I only found out from the notice at the counter when paying, and it was very convenient.

Parking settlement for show audiences was also well signposted, so it looked easy for guests who come by car.

Verdict: a weekday date dinner at Romaok Magok

Overall it was a perfect evening: the emotive, luxurious atmosphere, the cool and comfortable indoor temperature where I didn't sweat at all, the attentive service from friendly staff, and the overwhelming quality and taste of everything, from the three dishes we ordered to the complimentary ice cream.

My wife and I ate until we were stuffed, everything was delicious, and we finished the meal feeling very happy.

If you want a failure-proof Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere near Magongnaru Station, or a place for a special-day date or a get-together, I sincerely and strongly recommend Romaok Magok, a Blue Ribbon mecca in Magok.

• Name: Romaok Magok (로마옥 마곡)
• Location: LG Arts Center Seoul 3F, 136 Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (54m from Exit 4 of Magongnaru Station)
• Hours: Daily 11:00-21:30 (break time 15:00-17:00 / last order 14:00, 20:30)
• Features: Blue Ribbon Survey listing, inside LG Arts Center, reservations recommended, 2 hours free parking with a meal and an additional 50% off, groups welcome