Guwol-dong pasta spot, arugula arrabbiata for the spice-shy: Withwich

Who would have guessed that a restaurant I walked into at 8pm, an hour before closing, would turn out to be this memorable?

Why we walked into Withwich in Guwol-dong an hour before closing

Withwich (위드위치) in Guwol-dong is a pasta restaurant I hurried into around 8pm after my child's skin treatment. When we came out of the appointment, it was already way past dinnertime. Holding my hungry kid's hand, I scrambled to look around the neighborhood, and a blue ribbon poster on one entrance caught my eye.

"This place must be good," I thought, and that's how we ended up at Withwich in Guwol-dong. To cut to the chase: why did I wait so long to come here?

What's the atmosphere at Withwich like? A summer-beach interior

The Withwich Guwol-dong branch has a ceiling and walls painted with blue sky, puffy clouds and Mediterranean village murals. The moment I opened the door, I couldn't help saying "Wow!" The ceiling and walls are covered in blue sky and fluffy clouds, and on the white walls there's a Mediterranean alley mural, even an open-air café scene lined with blue parasols.

The floor has a picture of shells and conches on a sandy beach, so it felt like eating on a bench under a parasol at a summer beach. By the window there's a decorative lemon tree with yellow fruit, and for a moment I felt like I'd traveled to a little restaurant in Santorini, Greece.

They say half of eating is with your eyes, right? The interior is cool and just right for summer, so I was already in a good mood before the food came out. There are blue ribbon plaques all over the restaurant and one pillar is covered in celebrity signatures, so it really feels like a proper Incheon Guwol-dong favorite.

How were the gambas oil pasta and arugula arrabbiata?

At Withwich I ordered the gambas oil pasta (mildly spicy) and the arugula arrabbiata pasta (spicy). Closing time is 9pm and we got there close to 8, so in a rush I picked the dishes my kid and I usually eat.

Both pastas were on another level from any pasta I'd eaten elsewhere. The gambas oil pasta was generously topped with plump shrimp, plus plenty of mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Twirling the noodles in the oil sauce filled my mouth with a rich, nutty aroma.

Can someone who can't handle spice eat the arugula arrabbiata?

Withwich's arugula arrabbiata pasta is rated spicy, but even for me, someone who can't eat spicy food, the heat was barely noticeable. I'm a total spice wimp, so I was worried about the "spicy" level. But surprise: I could hardly feel the heat.

After two or three bites, there's just a slight tingle on the tip of your tongue? The tomato sauce is deeply savory, which made it taste even better.

Beer and lemonade with the pasta

It was a summer night, so I had a cold beer, and they gave me a big glass packed with ice so it stayed cold to the last sip. My kid ordered lemonade, which was tangy and sweet and went well with the pasta. Both were so good that we ate happily, making eye contact across the table all evening.

How to order at Withwich, and the self-serve bar

At Withwich's Guwol-dong branch, you order yourself at the kiosk by the entrance, then help yourself at the self-serve bar to water, small plates, napkins and pink pickled radish.

The pickled radish was crunchy and refreshing and cleaned up my palate between bites, so I never got tired of the food down to the last forkful.

What is Withwich famous for besides pasta?

Besides pasta, Withwich is also known for sandwiches and wood-fired pizza, so it's widely loved as a Guwol-dong pizza and pasta favorite. The romesco chicken breast sandwich and the spicy perilla leaf bulgogi sandwich are the popular ones. They're said to be packed with thick chicken breast and vegetables and highly satisfying, so I definitely want to try them next time.

The restaurant is large and pleasant, with group tables and baby chairs, so it's good for family meals or get-togethers, and just right for anyone looking for brunch or lunch in Guwol-dong.

Who I'd recommend Withwich in Guwol-dong to

• Anyone looking for a comfortable place to eat out with a child
• Anyone who wants a different vibe from the usual Guwol Rodeo restaurants
• Anyone who can't handle spice but wants to try arrabbiata
• Anyone who wants to eat with a summer-vacation feeling

Withwich in Guwol-dong, which I rushed into an hour before closing, ended up being a place I want to come back to at a relaxed pace. The blue ribbon is there for a reason, I thought. Next time I'll try the sandwiches and wood-fired pizza too, and I'll write another review!