Wine dining birthday dinner in Gangseo, Seoul: Romaok Magok

Romaok Magok is a leading wine dining spot in Magok, where refined East-meets-West fusion Italian cooking unfolds in an elegant European-style interior that reinterprets the Colosseum and its arches. I came with my family for my wife’s birthday. I’d really wanted to visit, and it is a Magok hot spot for enjoying wine and an evening out amid soft lighting and a luxurious atmosphere. :)

Starting with bread full of rich olive aroma, the pine nut Caprese salad, abalone geu pasta, Korean beef ragù fresh-pasta lasagna roll, and piri piri chicken made for a perfect lineup. The dishes stand out for their original ingredient combinations, so I highly recommend it for a date or an atmospheric get-together.

Romaok Magok location and parking

Romaok Magok is on the third floor of the LG Arts Center building near Seoul Botanic Park. It is very close to Magoknaru Station, so it is also easy to reach by public transport. Parking in the LG Arts Center basement is convenient, and two hours are provided free.

Take the elevator to the third floor and you will find Romaok on the way to the theater. Even from outside, you can tell it is a place with atmosphere.

Arched Roman-style wine dining

You can see the menu at a glance, though it is not particularly easy to take in what everything is. :) Maybe just look at the prices. The arched Roman-style structure and tasteful, soft lighting create a lovely emotional, exotic atmosphere. It is a classic yet polished wine dining space.

In the middle of the dining room, there is also a signature round table where two people can sit side by side for a cozy meal; it seems like a great spot for couples. Tasteful mood lamps and, fittingly for an Italian restaurant, wine glasses are everywhere.

Original dishes with Korean ingredients

There were plenty of familiar Italian dishes, but one distinctive strength was the “differentiated, original menu.” Rather than stopping at conventional classics, Romaok Magok combines Korean ingredients to present excellent new dishes with its own character. :) There are many more dishes beyond those below, so take your time looking before ordering.

I was especially impressed that pine nuts were added even to the ordinary Caprese salad, lifting both its flavor and texture. Most of the dishes were satisfying. You can have coffee too, along with a range of drinks and alcohol including sangria and beer. There is wine, but corkage may be the better option; if needed, a glass of wine seems appropriate.

What we ordered

• Pine nut Caprese salad
• Abalone geu pasta (highly recommended)
• Korean beef ragù fresh-pasta lasagna roll (highly recommended)
• Piri piri chicken

The warm bread served before the meal comes in two kinds: olive and plain. Personally, I liked the olive bread a little more, as the olive aroma added a nutty richness.

Pine nut Caprese salad and abalone geu pasta

With tangy tomatoes, freshly shaped cheese, and arugula, it was beautiful to look at; eaten with the soft cheese and fresh vegetables, it had a fresh yet rich cheese flavor that was captivating. I am not exactly sure what those tiny little grains were, but they made the texture very appealing. :) A fresh white wine, crisp Prosecco, or Champagne would be nice too, right?

The abalone geu pasta was delicious, with rich abalone innards—geu—and an oil sauce creating deep savoriness. Looking closely at its unusual texture, I found finely chopped garlic scapes in it. The nicely seared, chewy abalone was delicious too. A full-bodied white wine would pair well, and the refreshing Sauvignon Blanc available at the restaurant would also suit the salad and oil pasta.

The Korean beef ragù fresh-pasta lasagna roll you must try

You absolutely have to order this. It is made by rolling fresh pasta and Korean beef, and the ragù sauce underneath is truly appealing. Both the texture and presentation are excellent. Please do try this dish.

This dish immediately brings Tuscan wines to mind. Sangiovese Chianti Classico or BDM would be excellent pairings. The Zinfandel available at the restaurant would work too.

Piri piri chicken with a memorable orange aroma

The piri piri chicken is memorable for its orange bubbles. It looks like a very special dish. Every element has an original touch, with cilantro on top and a special sauce beneath. It could become rich, but the cilantro and fresh orange aroma cut through that richness.

This chicken dish would pair nicely with a light Pinot Noir or rosé wine. :)

When is Romaok Magok a good choice?

With its stylish interior and lovely atmosphere, this wine dining restaurant is ideal for dates, anniversaries, birthdays, and wedding-invitation gatherings.

What signature dishes do you recommend?

The original developed dishes stand out, but you should definitely try the abalone geu pasta, with rich abalone innards and finely chopped garlic scapes, and the Korean beef ragù fresh-pasta lasagna roll, where the chew of fresh pasta works beautifully with the ragù sauce.

Romaok Magok is a special wine dining restaurant in Magok where you can enjoy deeply flavored fusion Italian cooking and well-executed wine pairings in a wonderful setting. Visit on a special day. :)