Hakdong Station pasta date, aglio and yolk guanciale: Osteria Lucia

A pasta spot in Gangnam near Hakdong Station: this is Osteria Lucia.

Osteria Lucia is an Italian restaurant near Hakdong Station, and since it's corkage-free it's great for get-togethers too. I'd love to introduce it as a Gangnam pasta place worth knowing.

The mood is upscale, so I'd recommend it for everything from meeting the in-laws to dates and anniversary dinners, with a cozy atmosphere and wine pairing that works well.

Osteria Lucia location, hours and corkage policy

Osteria Lucia is at 1st floor, 20 Hakdong-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Break time is 15:00-16:30, and last order is 20:30.

• Location: 1st floor, 20 Hakdong-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Hours: daily 11:00-22:00
• Break time: 15:00-16:30
• Last order: 20:30
• Corkage-free, reservations available

They describe it as a traditional Italian dining restaurant where a chef from an Italian culinary school and a Michelin three-star background cooks the way you would when inviting someone precious to your home.

It was a pasta place very close to Hakdong Station. With its refined mood and calm interior, it felt right for all kinds of anniversaries and in-law meet-ups.

What is the atmosphere like inside Osteria Lucia?

The inside of Osteria Lucia was very quiet and tidy, with a real upscale feel. I went for weekend lunch and booked ahead.

There's a slightly separated, room-like area, and it was mostly used by family groups.

You can see the whole kitchen from the hall where you sit, and you could feel the restaurant's pride in its food. The space shows off the quality of the chef's Italian dishes.

The atmosphere also suits business meals, and it's corkage-free, which is worth knowing. It's a relatively quiet, moody place to have a meal.

Osteria Lucia menu overview

The Osteria Lucia menu has handmade fresh pasta, pasta using seasonal ingredients, steak and starters, and a range of wines.

I'd heard the pasta was great, so today we tried two pastas plus a risotto. Looking through each item, I got so excited.

Aglio, guanciale pasta and mushroom risotto arrived together

I also liked that at Osteria Lucia everything, the aglio, the guanciale and the mushroom risotto, arrived all at once. When you come with several people, it's prepared so everyone can eat together without waiting, which felt like a thoughtful touch for guests.

Guanciale pasta: rich egg-yolk sauce and Grana Padano

Guanciale is cured meat made by salting pork cheek with spices, and it goes into this pasta. The flavor was unfamiliar yet familiar, but it clearly had depth and a touch of pasta luxury.

The egg-yolk sauce and Grana Padano cheese tasted rich, and the black pepper on top added a clean finish.

The sauce had soaked deep into the noodles and the flavor was strong, so it was really delicious.

I hear the traditional Italian recipe uses fresh egg yolks rather than the cream we usually think of,

and it was a pasta I enjoyed so much, for the first time in a while. My boyfriend dished some out for me so I could eat prettily ♥️🖤

Aglio: garlic pasta that isn't oily

The aglio at Osteria Lucia comes mixed with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, peperoncino and Grana Padano cheese.

Honestly, I don't usually order aglio at other Italian restaurants. One reason is that too much oil bothers me, and the noodles and oil often go separate ways. But even the aglio at Osteria Lucia came across as quite upscale.

The oil aroma was gentle, a pleasant flavor spread subtly, and it soaked into every single strand, so it was a clean, memorable dish. There was also quite a lot of garlic, which was a big plus for me since I love roasted garlic.

Mushroom risotto: deep flavor from mushroom paste

The mushroom risotto at Osteria Lucia also had plenty of deep, rich mushroom flavor and aroma.

I hear they sauté various mushrooms for a long time into a mushroom paste and season with it. The rice grains had a lively, springy texture, and the cheese on top was really nutty.

The deep mushroom flavor and the rich cheese went together well.

Oh, and this pickle is really good too, haha. Even the pickle was special 🥹 lol

Who is Osteria Lucia best for?

I'd recommend Osteria Lucia to people planning an Italian meal for a special day, or who want to enjoy a meal with wine. Also to anyone looking for a restaurant with a good atmosphere in Gangnam.