Italian restaurant near Isu Station, Seoul: Dooblock Isu

Isu and Sadang's go-to lunch and dinner spot, Dooblock

Dooblock, an Isu Station restaurant known for its unique menu, has service so good I ended up coming back super quick! It's an Italian restaurant in Bangbae-dong, famous as a pasta spot near Sadang Station — the kind of hot place that has a wait even on weeknights, so reservations are essential. With its cozy, well-styled vibe, Dooblock is a go-to date spot near Sadang Station too.

Hours by time slot

Brunch 10:00–15:00, drinks 15:00–17:00, dinner 17:00–21:00. The place is split into three time slots, and the mood shifts a bit with each one — bright and light at lunch, making it a good brunch and lunch spot near Sadang Station, and taking on Dooblock's own cozy atmosphere at dinner, making it a solid dinner recommendation too. Just note that drink time is the kitchen's break, so you can't order food then — only café menu items.

A great-vibe Italian restaurant — reservations are a must

I visited at 7pm on a weekday and it was already full! I'd booked ahead so they'd held a table for me, and I got seated with zero wait. This is a restaurant near Isu Station that's busy even on weekdays (a good sign of popularity), so if you're planning to meet someone here as a date spot near Sadang Station, I'd strongly recommend reserving ahead.

There are also separate private room tables, making this a great pasta and Italian restaurant near Sadang Station for group meetups too.

Dooblock's September event

Dooblock is running a September event right now. It's a set-menu deal ranging from a 2-person set up to a 5–6 person set, all made up of Dooblock's signature dishes at a discounted price. Beyond the discount itself, if it's your first visit to Dooblock, I'd recommend trying one of these signature-packed set menus.

Dooblock's (strongly) recommended dishes

I ordered Dooblock's signature best-seller, the pollpo squid-ink risotto, along with the myeoljeot (fermented anchovy) oil pasta, which seems to be a (surprisingly) underrated menu item. It's famous as a pasta spot near Sadang Station, but the myeoljeot oil pasta barely had any reviews? So I figured I'd try it myself, heh.

Pollpo squid-ink risotto (₩24,800)

Dooblock's signature dish, topped with a whole octopus (pollpo) leg. Looking at other reviews, it seems like everyone considers this a must-order. It's a risotto made with a special squid-ink cream sauce, and I loved that the spice level is adjustable — the white pollack roe aioli on top paired really well too. I went with spice level 2, and it was just the right amount of spicy! If you like carbonara buldak (spicy fire chicken), I'd highly recommend level 2.

My friend who came with me especially loved the risotto — enough to say we should come back to try the other menu items. There's nothing more satisfying than watching someone you brought along enjoy the food, right? This is a can't-go-wrong restaurant near Isu Station.

Dooblock's risotto made me realize octopus can be this tender. It just melts in your mouth. The portion size was huge too, which I loved.

So how does the myeoljeot oil pasta taste?

The myeoljeot oil pasta, which didn't have many reviews out there. I loved it from the moment I saw it — the meat piled on generously looked great — and since I'd enjoyed the pasta I had on my last visit, I trusted the kitchen enough to try this new dish. ❤️

Myeoljeot pasta might not be a familiar flavor, but think of it this way: it's a garlic-heavy oil pasta base with the distinctive saltiness and umami of myeoljeot (fermented anchovy) added on top! Whoever came up with this combination — genuinely, so, so good. Confirmed: a real pasta spot near Sadang Station. I also had this at spice level 2, and it was just the right amount of spicy! Highly recommend level 2!!!

With a full 150g of pork neck piled on top, the carb-to-protein ratio was exactly right and genuinely filling — I could eat pasta guilt-free even while dieting. The cut of meat and how it was cooked were both excellent.

Final thoughts

A pasta and Italian restaurant near Sadang Station with a great vibe for dates and a menu full of unique dishes. I'd strongly recommend Dooblock Isu — a 3-minute walk from Isu Station, with parking available.