Magok pasta spot: shrimp rosé risotto at spice level 1, Oneul Pasta

I had plans to meet a friend near Magok Station, stumbled across this place, thought "Oh, this looks good?" and walked right in. This is my story of Oneul Pasta Magok Branch (오늘파스타 마곡점).

There are so many great pasta places in Magok these days, but honestly, when the atmosphere is good the prices are too steep, and when the value is good the atmosphere is often a little disappointing, right? Oneul Pasta Magok Branch strikes that balance really well, and I left quite satisfied.

What is the atmosphere like at Oneul Pasta Magok Branch?

The restaurant is about 30 pyeong (roughly 100 m²), so it's quite spacious and comfortable.

The vintage yet stylish interior hits you the moment you walk in, and it's so pretty that it would work well for a date or a blind date. The space itself is so tasteful that even though I'd just dropped in casually, it put me in a good mood.

Prices, service and the salad bar at Oneul Pasta Magok Branch

What surprised me most was the value and the service. Pasta starts at ₩9,900, and you can use the salad bar as much as you like.

• Price: I was amazed to see pasta starting at ₩9,900. Considering prices in Magok these days, that's really reasonable.
• Salad bar: Since the salad bar is free to use as much as you like, I enjoyed it before and after the meal and felt properly full.
• Details: Above all, the owner's thoughtfulness showed in things like giving orange juice as a free treat to guests with kids, and looking after small things throughout the meal. (I heard he's a former special forces soldier and a father of three sons, and that diligence seems to come through in the service.)

What is the cod roe carbonara like?

Oneul Pasta's cod roe carbonara (myeongran carbonara) is a dish where the rich nuttiness of thick dairy cream and the salty flavor of cod roe blend perfectly. The cod roe neatly cuts the heaviness cream pasta can have, leaving a smooth, deep taste, and you can choose a spice level from 0 to 3, so adding some heat makes it even more varied.

How was the rosé risotto with shrimp at spice level 1?

At Oneul Pasta Magok Branch, I had the rosé risotto I always like, with a shrimp topping added.

The tangy-sweet, nutty rosé sauce blended with mozzarella cheese, making it wonderfully thick and rich. You can choose the spice level in steps, and I went with level 1, which was just mildly spicy, so I could enjoy it to the very end without it feeling heavy. Adding shrimp isn't optional, it's a must! The plump shrimp make the texture so much richer.

Visiting in person, I could tell right away why Oneul Pasta Magok Branch is a word-of-mouth favorite in Magok: you can enjoy a variety of pastas and pizzas at reasonable prices, so the value is excellent. The cod roe cream pasta and aglio olio (garlic and oil pasta) are especially popular, and ordering the single-person set gives you a much more generous meal, which I was very happy with. The dining room is spacious and pleasant, and with the staff's friendly service it's great for family meals or group gatherings, and the free-refill salad bar made the whole meal feel even more abundant.

The shrimp on top have a lovely smoky, flame-grilled flavor!

June thank-you event at Oneul Pasta Magok Branch

Oneul Pasta Magok Branch is running a June thank-you event right now, so the salad bar and corkage are free! They also give a free pasta size-up, and a coupon if you reserve through Naver, so if you're going, definitely book ahead.

After a tasty meal, I went home and doted on my baby to my heart's content!

Parking and how to get to Oneul Pasta Magok Branch

• Parking: If you park in the basement car park of the Hillstate Eco Magok Station building, you get 1 hour 30 minutes free.
• Location: It's on the 2nd floor of the Nonghyup building by Magok Station Exit 3, so it's very easy to find.

Overall, the food at Oneul Pasta Magok Branch isn't overpowering and feels reinterpreted in a "K-style" that suits Korean tastes, so I think anyone could enjoy it without strong likes or dislikes. If you're looking for a comfortable, reasonably priced pasta restaurant near Magok, it's worth a visit. I'm planning to go back to try other pasta dishes!