Sajik-dong Western restaurant: couscous salad bowl at Sasaenghwal

What kind of Western restaurant is Sasaenghwal in Sajik-dong?

Sasaenghwal (사생활) Dongnae branch is a Western restaurant in Sajik-dong, Busan, with regular pasta plus barley risotto and a range of salad dishes. I love pasta and risotto, so I'm always hunting for good Western restaurants with a nice atmosphere, haha. This time I heard about a place in Sajik-dong with a varied menu and a decent vibe, so I went. Even the name sounds kind of sentimental, doesn't it?

That day we ordered three dishes: a sous vide sirloin barley cream risotto, an arrabbiata tomato pasta and a couscous basil chicken salad bowl. Cream, tomato and a fresh salad made a great combination, so I wanted to introduce this Sajik-dong restaurant.

Where is Sasaenghwal Dongnae and how do you park?

Sasaenghwal Dongnae is about an 8-minute walk from Exit 6 of Dongnae Station, on the 2nd floor of a building near Geumjeong Market. It's a good option when you have plans around Dongnae or Sajik-dong. If it's your first visit, look for the building with Hasamdong Coffee (하삼동커피) and it gets easier to find.

If you're driving, use the Dongyeong private parking lot (202 Yeogobuk-ro), close to the restaurant; it takes about 3 minutes on foot from the lot!! Hours are daily 11:00–21:00, with a break from 15:00 to 16:30 and last order at 20:00. Reservations, group seating and high chairs are available too.

What is the atmosphere like at Sasaenghwal Dongnae?

The space was roomier than I expected, with warm lighting and stylish interior that felt comfortable yet refined. Once inside, the mood was lovely, haha. The tables are also spaced nicely, so you can chat over your meal without worrying about the next table.

Among Sajik-dong restaurants, I thought it suits people looking for a date spot or a place to meet friends. It's good for brunch in the daytime, and it's also a nice space for an atmospheric dinner.

What's on the Sasaenghwal menu and what did we order?

The menu at Sasaenghwal Dongnae has cream, tomato and oil-based pastas, plus risotto, pizza, katsu (breaded cutlets) and salad bowls. There was a much wider variety than I expected. There were lots of unique dishes only Sasaenghwal does, so deciding was hard, haha.

Wanting to try a bit of everything, we ordered one cream risotto, one tomato pasta and one salad. The three tasted quite different from each other, so it was a good combination to share, haha.

Sous vide sirloin barley cream risotto

The dish I was most looking forward to was the sous vide sirloin barley cream risotto. I was curious from the start because it uses barley instead of the usual rice; it's a smooth cream sauce topped with sirloin cooked sous vide (slow-cooked in a water bath). It looked so appetizing that my hand went to it first, haha.

On the first bite, the rich, nutty flavor of the cream sauce filled my mouth. I especially loved the barley's signature pop and chew; it's more fun to eat than a regular risotto. Eating it together with the tenderly cooked sirloin added richness and savoriness, and the combination was really good.

Cream sauce alone can get a bit heavy, but the barley's texture meant I could enjoy it to the very end. Personally, it was the most memorable dish we ordered that day, haha.

Arrabbiata tomato pasta

The second dish was the arrabbiata tomato pasta. Since it was going alongside the cream risotto, I picked a slightly spicy tomato pasta, and it turned out to be a great pairing. Arrabbiata is a tomato-sauce pasta with added heat, so it's perfect to order next to a cream dish, right?

Couscous basil chicken salad bowl

The last dish we ordered was the couscous basil chicken salad bowl. It combines basil pesto, couscous and sous vide chicken breast with assorted vegetables. At first I thought a salad would just be a light side, but the composition was more substantial than expected, haha.

Couscous is a pasta in tiny grain form, and since you don't often see it in ordinary salads, it felt extra special. The fragrant flavor of basil was especially appealing, and the tender chicken and fresh vegetables went well together. After the cream risotto and tomato pasta, the salad made my mouth feel refreshed!!

Who would I recommend Sasaenghwal Dongnae to?

Sasaenghwal Dongnae has a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of menu choices, so it works not only for dates but also for family meals or get-togethers with friends. People who already love pasta and risotto will especially enjoy it, I think.

If you're looking for a Western restaurant with a nice mood in Sajik-dong, or want something special near Dongnae Station, I'd recommend Sasaenghwal Dongnae. Next time I'd like to try their other signature pastas and katsu dishes, haha.