Abalone geou linguine at Romaok Magok, an LG Art Center restaurant

I went to Romaok Magok, a restaurant with great atmosphere near Magoknaru. Romaok is an Italian restaurant inside LG Art Center Seoul, and the high ceilings and large windows made for a really relaxed vibe. It's a good spot for a meal before or after a date at Seoul Botanic Park, and it also works well after catching a show.

Where is Romaok Magok, and what are its hours and parking?

Romaok Magok is on the 3rd floor of LG Art Center Seoul, and I visited with a Naver reservation around 5pm on a weekday. It's open daily from 11:00 to 21:30 with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00. You can use the LG Art Center Seoul parking lot — diners get 2 hours free, with 50% off any additional time.

What is the dining room at Romaok Magok like?

The moment I walked in, I saw a wide open space. The high ceilings and big windows let in sunlight, so it felt bright and comfortable during the day. The tables were spaced generously too, so there was no cramped feeling of sitting too close to the next table. With arched structures and lighting, it has a chic European style — a bit more upscale than a casual restaurant, so it's perfect for a blind date or a date night, don't you think?

Romaok is apparently run by a chef who came from a Michelin two-star restaurant in Italy, so it suits special occasions — I'd recommend it for a blind date or date spot.

Romaok Magok's menu and dishes tied to LG Art Center shows

Romaok's menu ranges widely, from light appetizers and salads to mains like pasta, risotto, and steak, all the way to dessert. Alongside familiar Italian dishes, there were some fusion items using Korean ingredients that stood out.

The musical Dracula was running at LG Art Center, and Romaok had a menu item tied to the show. I didn't order it myself, but I saw the table next to us order the Eclipse squid-ink risotto — the sauce on top was arranged into a shape referencing the Dracula musical, which caught my eye. If you're on a date in Magok around a show, that kind of themed dish could be a fun choice. What I ordered this time was chicken cordon Caesar salad, abalone-geou pasta, and grapefruit ade.

The pre-meal bread at Romaok Magok

The pre-meal bread comes one per person, with a ₩1,000 charge for each extra piece. You dip it in olive oil, and it's genuinely delicious — savory and crisp outside, soft, fluffy, and chewy inside.

How is the chicken cordon Caesar salad?

The chicken cordon Caesar salad was a bit different from the plain Caesar salad you'd usually picture. There's a generous layer of cheese over fresh vegetables, plus crispy fried chicken cordon bleu.

With the cheese-filled chicken cordon, the salad also delivers protein. The vegetables were fresh, and the Caesar dressing wasn't overdone, so it had good flavor without being too heavy. Eating the crispy chicken with the vegetables made for a satisfying dish when you want something more filling.

What does the abalone-geou linguine taste like?

The abalone-geou pasta was the dish that made me really glad I ordered from Romaok. I love abalone, so I ordered it, and the abalone and sauce matched even better than I expected! There were big chunks of tender kelp-steamed abalone, and the deep, savory flavor of the geou sauce, made from abalone innards, soaked well into the noodles.

The noodles were linguine, and the sauce soaked in so well that every bite delivered rich flavor. It had a creamy texture but wasn't heavy, and it was distinct from the usual rosé or cream pasta — unique in its own way. It's a Romaok pasta where the rich, savory taste of the geou sauce is layered with deep sea umami. 'Savory' alone doesn't quite describe it, and the abalone on top was tender too, so I'd especially recommend it if you love abalone.

Romaok Magok as a date course with Seoul Botanic Park and LG Art Center

If you want a good meal with atmosphere before or after a walk at Seoul Botanic Park or a show at LG Art Center, give Romaok, a Magoknaru favorite, a try. It's a great restaurant for special occasions, so I'd recommend it in Magoknaru for a blind date or a date night.