Gangseo Italian restaurant for squid ink risotto: Romaok Magok

I went back to Romaok Magok, a restaurant near Magoknaru Station that I’d kept thinking about after my first visit. I was so satisfied the first time that I even thought ahead about what to try this time.

I was a little sad to hear that the scallop dish I’d loved last time had been removed during the menu renewal. Maybe scallops weren’t in season? (Since it was summer and they spoil easily...?) Anyway, it’s a dish I really hope they bring back.

How were the Naver reservation and stroller access?

This time I used Naver Reservation, and my table was assigned by party from the time I booked, so I was shown straight to my seat when I arrived with no waiting.

But I set off to arrive on time and it overlapped with weekday rush hour; there had also been an accident, so the roads were terribly congested and it looked like I might be a little late. I called right away and told them my expected arrival time. Since the reserved table was already booked for the next time slot, they let me know that we would need to vacate it by a certain time at the latest.

The clear explanation actually put me at ease, and because the following reservation was not too tight, we were able to enjoy the meal more leisurely than expected without feeling rushed at all.

Romaok Magok is inside the LG Arts Center Seoul building, and on this return visit I was struck again by how spacious the parking lot is. Since it is a building with a performance venue, there is plenty of parking, so there was no parking stress at all. I visited with a stroller, and the route was smooth, making it much easier to get around. The elevators and hallways are generously wide too, so it should be comfortable if you come with a child or a stroller.

There was currently a Dracula musical collaboration, with special benefits for performance-goers and a special discounted set. I considered it for a bit, but my partner said they were not very hungry, so we ordered two à la carte dishes.

Pre-meal olive ciabatta and quick cooking

Romaok Magok’s bread before the meal is wonderful too: soft, fluffy, chewy olive ciabatta. It is honestly as delicious as what you would get at a dedicated bakery.

I eased my hunger a little while eating it. The food is cooked to order, but I did not have to wait long, which was nice. Even though the restaurant was full when I visited, the cooking time was quick.

The ocean flavor of Eclipse squid ink risotto

Eclipse squid ink risotto (₩25,000): risotto made with grilled cuttlefish, squid ink sauce, dill oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh Sindongjin rice. The squid ink sauce’s deep ocean flavor had soaked into the risotto base, so every spoonful brought a rich savoriness.

The grilled cuttlefish was chewy with a slight smoky char, giving it a wonderful texture, while the sun-dried tomatoes added little bursts of brightness that kept it fresh.

Perhaps because it used fresh Sindongjin rice, the risotto’s characteristic texture was still there, and I finished it deliciously without getting tired of it. Oh, and since it is a squid ink dish, the sauce can get around your mouth or on your teeth, so keep that in mind if you are on a date! It was delicious enough that I did not care about that at all.

Korean beef white ragù pasta with truffle aroma

Fresh truffle Korean beef white ragù pasta (₩29,000)

This pasta features Korean beef ragù with salsiccia, black truffle paste, black truffle, and sherry wine vinegar.

The deep, rich flavor of the Korean beef ragù was gently laced with truffle aroma, giving it a full flavor from the first bite, and I loved that depth. This was already my third visit to Romaok, and the pasta dishes are truly foolproof. They are always delicious, and I feel like they offer a culinary experience that is just a notch different from anywhere else.

The sherry wine vinegar added a touch of acidity, so the pasta never felt heavy and stayed clean through the last bite. If you love truffle, this is a dish you will be really satisfied with.

A Magoknaru date meal that stays on my mind

Both the Korean beef ragù pasta full of truffle aroma and the squid ink risotto with its deep ocean flavor were satisfying enough to make me think of them again next time. Every dish was so delicious, and I also loved that Naver Reservation secured our table in advance so we could start eating immediately without waiting.

I almost ended up arriving late unexpectedly, but the clear guidance meant I could eat leisurely without panicking, which also stayed with me as a good experience. If you are looking for a great restaurant near Magoknaru Station, I highly recommend Romaok Magok as a date spot.