Cheap Western food at Suwon Station: thin-crust pizza, Rolling Pasta

Why I went to Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch in this era of high prices

Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch (롤링파스타 수원역점) is a brand by Baek Jong-won, and I'd had my eye on this Suwon Station spot for a while because you can eat Western food at an easy price. Prices have gone up so much lately that it takes your breath away, right? Going out for a meal with friends easily runs past the mid-to-high ₩10,000s, and honestly opening your wallet gets scary. So I'm always hunting for places that are tasty but not a burden. I was out for a schedule this time and stopped by Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch. Since it's Baek Jong-won's brand I trusted it would be at least decent, and it turned out much more satisfying than I expected, so here's my fresh review.

Where is Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch, and what's it like for solo diners?

Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch is on the 2nd floor of a building in the central area near Suwon Station, so access is really good. Go into the building, head up to the 2nd floor, and you'll see a clean-looking entrance right away. A big 'solo diners welcome' sign is posted by the door. Lots of people eat alone these days, and being welcomed so openly meant I could walk in without feeling self-conscious, which I loved from the first impression. There was also a notice that there may be a bit of a wait at peak lunch time, but luckily my timing was good and I got a seat right away.

Interior of Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch

The inside was much bigger and more pleasant than I expected, with muted blue and wood tones giving it a modern Western restaurant feel. Because of the low prices I hadn't expected much from the decor, but it felt upscale enough for a date or a chat with friends. Near the entrance, standing signs neatly show combo set menus, starting with single-person sets, so you can start thinking about what to eat on your way in.

How much is pasta at Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch?

Most pastas at Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch start at ₩7,000–8,000, and I was genuinely surprised looking at the menu. You order on the T-order tablet at each table. Browsing the menu slowly without talking to staff is much more comfortable these days. In this high-price era I wondered if this price was really possible; the value was excellent. After some deliberation we wanted to try a bit of everything, mostly signature items, so we ordered a variety of dishes. The tablet screen also kindly showed a notice about the self bar, where you can get water, pickles, small plates and so on.

Self bar cleanliness

The self bar at Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch was neat, with not a speck of dust around the pickle container or the tableware. After ordering, I went to the self bar to grab what I needed while the food came out, and they seem to care a lot about hygiene. I brought back cold water full of ice and as many crisp-looking pickles as I'd eat on a plate. Busy places sometimes neglect the self-serve area and it ends up messy, but here the staff seem to check and refill it constantly, so I could use it with peace of mind.

Ade and iced tea

The first things out at Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch were the ade (a fruit soda drink) and iced tea. The refreshing drinks came in clear glasses packed with ice, and just looking at them quenched my thirst. The sweet, tangy taste was just right to wake up my mouth before the main dishes. The portions were generous too, so there was plenty to drink cold until the end of the meal.

Oil pasta, beef belly doria, thin-crust pizza: how are the portions and taste?

At Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch we ordered spicy oil pasta, a doria (baked rice gratin) topped with lots of cheese, and crispy thin-crust pizza. After a short wait, the mains were set on the table one after another. The moment they arrived, a savory, spicy aroma hit and my mouth started watering.

I'd worried a bit that cheap might mean small portions or skimpy ingredients, but seeing the plates piled full, that worry vanished. If anything, the quality was in no way behind an ordinary restaurant.

Spicy oil pasta

The oil pasta at Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch had noodles cooked just right with a chewy bite, and the sauce had soaked into them. I twirled up the signature noodles for a bite, and the sauce didn't just slide off, which made it really good. The tomato and garlic flavors blended nicely with the oil, so it wasn't greasy at all and I finished it cleanly in no time.

Beef belly doria

The beef belly doria at Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch had spicy seasoning and savory cheese blanketed thickly over soft rice like a duvet, a combination that can't be bad. Every big spoonful pulled up stretchy cheese, which added to the fun of eating it.

Crispy thin-crust pizza

The thin-crust pizza at Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch had a crispy dough, and the size and light flavor were perfect as a side, so I polished it off completely.

Is Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch worth going back to?

From the clean atmosphere to the friendly service and, most importantly, the taste and price, Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch was a perfect meal with nothing lacking. If you're looking for a Western restaurant near the station where you can eat well without a burden, I recommend giving it a visit. I'm planning to go back soon to work through the other dishes too.