Hongdae budget pasta spot: ₩48,700 set for two, spicy roe pasta, Omil

What is Omil Hongdae?

Omil Hongdae is a fusion Western restaurant on the 2nd floor on Yanghwa-ro in Hongdae, and a budget-friendly spot for pasta. I came to Hongdae for an errand, got hungry and was craving pasta, so I dropped in.

Omil is a fusion Western restaurant that reinterprets Japanese and Western food in its own style 🍽️ The prices are kind, so it works for anything from a casual lunch to a relaxed dinner.

Is the atmosphere and seating at Omil Hongdae good for a date?

With its big picture windows, Omil Hongdae doesn't feel stuffy, and the cute little space is a nice mood for dates or blind dates. I saw quite a few college couples, hehe. The crowd is young, so I felt younger too.

The seats further inside looked cozy too, but the weather was nice, so I sat by the window. Omil has fun little decorations to look at.

At Omil Hongdae, you ring a bell to order

At Omil Hongdae, staff come to take your order when you ring the small bell on the table. The basic tableware is set out, and when you want to order you just ring that little bell, which has a really clear sound. A novel way to order 👍

What's in Omil Hongdae's set for two, and how much is it?

Omil Hongdae's set for two is ₩48,700 and comes with 2 mains, Omil soba maki (buckwheat noodle roll) and drinks. This time I picked the spicy flat iron risotto (+₩1,000) and the spicy roe pasta (+₩2,000) as mains.

• Set for two ₩48,700
• Spicy flat iron risotto +₩1,000
• Spicy roe pasta +₩2,000

With 2 mains, Omil soba maki and drinks, the set is enough for two to eat their fill. And it still comes in under ₩50,000, so I admit it's a great-value spot ✨

For the set drinks we ordered orange juice and cola; the juice was seriously zesty and the cups were cute. The pickles that come as a side can be taken from the self-bar in whatever amount you like.

The whole set for two was served in under 10 minutes. I only knew Omil as a Hongdae pasta spot, but the other dishes looked so tempting too!

How spicy is the spicy flat iron risotto?

Omil Hongdae's spicy flat iron risotto was just spicy enough to eat comfortably, the kind of dish I think all ages would like. The seasoning soaked into the rice, so the saltiness was right, and the flat iron steak came in a generous portion!

Is the spicy roe pasta too heavy?

Omil Hongdae's spicy roe pasta is an oil pasta generous with the noodles, the roe and the garlic. Even though it's an oil pasta, it isn't greasy, and the chewy noodles are excellent 👍👍

Why doesn't it taste like this when I make it at home? T_T With the good value, buying it is actually better than cooking it myself, for both taste and price.

The soft, nutty flavor of olive oil wrapping your mouth is the basis. The aroma of stir-fried garlic is the key, setting the base of the whole taste and lifting the savory depth. Then the roe comes in and the flavor really comes alive; it's salty with a slightly creamy feel, so even though it's oil-based it feels a bit thick and rich.

What is the Omil soba maki that comes with the set?

Omil soba maki is included in the set for two and is made with buckwheat noodles, egg, cucumber and more. It looks healthy just by looking at it!

I thought it would be bland, but the seasoning was just right and it was tastier than expected, a healthy dish!! The set for two at Omil, a budget Hongdae pasta spot, was a two-for-one on both taste and value 💯

Omil Hongdae opening hours

• Mon–Fri 11:30 – 21:15
• Sat–Sun 11:00 – 21:15
• Address: 178-8 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (2nd floor)