Pasta restaurant in Hapjeong: 5pm jambon cream rigatoni at Riike

Today's post is about a place I ended up at while hunting for a good pasta restaurant in Hapjeong: a review of Riike (리이크)! I went with a friend who absolutely loves pasta. The food and the atmosphere both won me over, so I'd happily recommend it as a date spot too.

Where is Riike near Hapjeong Station? Hours and parking

Riike is at 65 Poeun-ro 2ga-gil, Building B, 1st floor, Unit 102, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, a 4-minute walk from Exit 8 of Hapjeong Station. It's open 11:30–22:00, break time is 15:00–17:00, and it's closed on Mondays. For parking, you can use the Delight Square shopping complex lot (paid).

It's within walking distance of Hapjeong Station, so access is really good! We showed up right as the 5pm break time ended, and guests kept coming in steadily, so it seems like a lot of people already know this Hapjeong Station spot!!

What is the atmosphere like at Riike?

Riike isn't big, but the exterior already has a lovely, moody feel. The interior is clean yet warm, so I was looking forward to it before we even stepped inside.

Inside, it was cozy and stylish. The lighting was soft and relaxing, and the tables had enough space between them, which made it nice for eating.

It'd be fine with friends too, but personally I felt it's a great Hapjeong date spot for couples... The mood was just right for talking quietly over a meal.

What we ordered at Riike after break time

The menu had pasta and a range of other Western dishes, haha. Ordering was easy with a QR code, and we went for the signature dishes! Pasta is what they're known for, so we ordered only pasta, haha.

• Bread spread
• Jambon pecan cream rigatoni
• Gamtae (seaweed) vongole pasta

After ordering, we waited a bit, enjoying the atmosphere with my friend! Looking around, it seemed like some people were having a wedding invitation meetup? The place felt perfect for that kind of gathering.

Riike's bread spread: the ricotta cheese is the highlight

Riike's bread spread is rye bread served with ricotta cheese, and it came out first. It was perfect as a starter bread.

Whatever else you think, the ricotta has a slightly unusual flavor and it was so good, T.T It really got my appetite going. If you go to Riike, please, please try it..

How does Riike's jambon pecan cream rigatoni taste?

Riike's jambon pecan cream rigatoni was a cream pasta with perfectly cooked pasta and plenty of sauce. Wow.. it looked so appetizing, and with all that sauce I could enjoy it down to the last bite.

The sauce and the jambon (Korean-style ham) went together really well. It wasn't overpowering but the flavor was rich, the kind of taste anyone would like. Honestly, I'd only ever had jambon in sandwiches, so having it in pasta felt totally new and delicious. If you're looking for a good Hapjeong pasta restaurant, this is a dish I'd want you to try at least once.

How was Riike's gamtae (seaweed) vongole pasta?

The gamtae (seaweed) vongole pasta we ordered alongside was satisfying too. The plating was neat, and the ingredients were generous, so it was fun just to look at.

Once all the dishes arrived, the table was full and everything looked even more tempting. We took plenty of photos and then dug in, haha.

Overall verdict on the pasta at Riike

Overall, the food quality at Riike was good and the natural flavors of the ingredients really came through. After one bite I immediately understood why so many people come here..!

The pasta in particular had a nice balance of noodles and sauce, so I never got tired of it and enjoyed it to the end..!

It was so good that the two of us basically did the dishes for them.

Who is Riike in Hapjeong best for?

Riike is a pasta place near Hapjeong Station where I was happy with both the food and the atmosphere. If you're looking for somewhere to eat around Hapjeong Station, it's worth a visit! I loved getting delicious pasta and a stylish space together!!

I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a Hapjeong pasta restaurant, a Hapjeong Station restaurant with good atmosphere, or a special meal, haha. If you're still deciding on a Hapjeong date spot, spend a relaxed evening with a good meal at Riike.