Namyangju Han River restaurant for abalone pasta: Romaok Riverside

I was looking for somewhere atmospheric to eat while looking out over the Han River in Namyangju, so this time I visited Romaok Riverside. I thought it would be an ordinary pasta place, but when I arrived, something caught my eye before the food did: the hanok-style building, wide courtyard, and Han River view. It even has a Blue Ribbon and a two-Michelin-star chef... My heart was fluttering with anticipation.

Romaok Riverside: the basics

• Daily 11:00–21:30; break time 15:00–17:00
• Last orders: 14:00 / 20:30
• Use the Namyangju Hangang Sports Park parking lot directly in front of the restaurant
• Dogs are allowed in the outdoor area

The first hour is free, then it is ₩200 per 10 minutes, so parking does not feel too burdensome. Reservations are available through Naver and Catchtable, and if you want a window-side table, it is easier to reserve ahead.

A hanok restaurant that stands out from the outside

After parking and walking toward the restaurant, the atmosphere was clearly different from a typical Italian restaurant. Romaok Riverside is a two-story, hanok-style building converted from an old house, so it already feels peaceful from the moment you head up to the entrance. Walk through the broad courtyard and up the stairs, and the tiled roof and distinctive hanok structure come into view. With a building like this beside the Han River, you want to take a photo before even going inside.

A peaceful hanok paired with an Italian restaurant: at first I thought it might be a slightly odd match, but in person it works better than expected.

First-floor restaurant and second-floor café

Inside, the first floor is used as the dining area. It is divided between a Han River-view section by the kitchen and a quieter space farther inside for meals. High chairs are available throughout.

Unlike the hanok exterior, the interior is clean and modern, and the open kitchen gives you a little glimpse of the food being prepared.

Best of all, turn your eyes toward the windows and the Han River opens up right in front of you. And here is one thing I really liked: there is a separate café space on the second floor.

Rather than eating and leaving right away, you can head upstairs and enjoy coffee too. The second floor has big windows facing the Han River and plenty of seating, making it lovely for a rest after the meal. So if you are visiting for a Namyangju date or drive, you can do meal → second-floor café in one go!

Italian dishes with Korean ingredients

Looking through the menu, there were lots of Italian options including pasta, pizza, risotto, and steak. You order at the kiosk! We chose abalone geu pasta, gorgonzola pizza, and Coke Zero, and the pre-meal bread came as a complimentary service. Abalone geu pasta uses geu, the abalone innards, so it is a dish that would make abalone lovers curious. Abalone geu pasta ₩25,000; gorgonzola pizza ₩26,000.

There are also review and coffee-discount events, so make good use of them!

I started with the pre-meal bread

While waiting for the food, I had a piece of the pre-meal bread first. The warm, freshly baked green-onion ciabatta practically melted when dipped in olive oil. The power of fresh bread, honestly... It did more than enough to build anticipation and whet my appetite. 😍

How was the abalone geu pasta?

Finally, the abalone geu pasta arrived. With abalone sitting on top, its presence is unmistakable from the visual alone. One bite brought the rich, nutty flavor distinctive to geu, and it was not as fishy as I had expected. Instead, the savory salty umami comes through first. The noodles have a springy bite, so this would suit people who enjoy chew rather than a pasta that goes down softly.

The garlic scapes scattered through it were nice too. They add texture alongside the rich sauce, helping what could have been a heavy flavor. It is somewhat seasoned, but you can choose a seasoning-level option at the kiosk, so it is adjustable! I like things a little salty, so it was exactly right for me.

A lifetime-best gorgonzola pizza

I love gorgonzola pizza and have put countless gorgonzolas into my stomach, but honestly, I was a little shocked. This was a lifetime-best gorgonzola—the gorgonzolas of my past flashed before my eyesㅠ The salty, nutty cheese flavor is at the center, with ricotta mousse and cranberries added in. Those are the kick. They deepen the cheese flavor, and the cranberry aroma works remarkably well with it.

When I lightly dipped it in honey, the sweet-and-salty combination came even more alive. Since the abalone geu pasta was rich and salty, choosing a sweet, nutty pizza was an unexpectedly golden balance, and I was so pleased with myself 😎

Why it worked as a Namyangju drive stop

Romaok Riverside felt like a place to enjoy not just food, but also the beautiful hanok, garden, and Han River view. I was very satisfied that I could take care of everything from a meal to coffee without having to move from place to place. With the Han River right in front plus a garden and outdoor space, it would be such a good place to soak up some sun and unwind on a nice day.

In summary

• For Namyangju dining, the hanok building and Han River view make a strong impression.
• The abalone geu pasta is defined by nutty geu flavor and salty umami.
• The gorgonzola pizza becomes a sweet-and-salty combination with honey and cranberries.
• After your meal, you can continue to the second-floor café and enjoy the Han River view.
• It has a lovely atmosphere for a Namyangju drive or date.
• Use Hangang Sports Park for parking; the first hour is free.