Hwaseong family restaurant: Dongtan 2 Mok-dong Public Parking Lot

Today, my daughter suddenly said, “Mom, I want pasta!” So we went out on a totally casual whim—and I came home even more smitten than she was. Let me introduce Dongtan 2 Mok-dong Public Parking Lot.

• Mon–Sat 11:00–23:30 (Sunday until 22:00)
• Break time Mon–Thu and Sunday, 15:00–17:00
• No break time on Friday and Saturday
• Last order Mon–Sat at 22:30
• Last order Sunday at 21:00

Honestly, we were only going out for a pasta meal with my child, so I thought, as long as the food is good, that’s enough~ But before we even went in, I was thinking, “Uh… what is this place?” It suddenly felt like we’d left Korea while still in Dongtan...

Even the exterior was nothing like the usual Italian restaurant I had imagined. If you visit on a nice day, make sure you snap a photo outside before going in!!

The atmosphere surprised me all over again as soon as we walked in

I thought only the outside was pretty, but it was even prettier inside. The wood and beige palette felt warm yet very elegant, and sunlight streamed through the big windows, so simply sitting there already felt lovely.

And the thing that amazed me most was that water was flowing right through the middle of the restaurant! There was a soft sound of water all the time, and it was much nicer than I expected. Plants were placed throughout too, so even indoors, it felt like stepping into a little garden? My daughter was excited because there was so much to look at, haha.

She had so much fun looking at the water, touching the dog sculpture, and exploring all around. When you go to a restaurant with a child, it’s always, “Sit still~ It’ll be out soon~” haha. Here, there was plenty to look at, which was another thing I loved.

Dongtan 2 Mok-dong Public Parking Lot is fun to explore in every corner

I personally love looking at interiors, and here I could really feel how much thought had gone into every little corner.

There were unusual paintings on the walls, and rows of liquor bottles displayed in the bar area—but that side had a completely different mood!

Nothing—from the tables and lights to each little decorative object—felt casually thrown in. We had come for pasta, but somehow it felt like we were being properly treated.

And then I went to the restroom and was surprised all over again... Is this really a restroom...? Not a hotel...? From the sink and lighting to the flower arrangements, it was so pretty—and they even had a curling iron ready. Seeing that they cared for these small details too made me think it would be wonderful for a date, a blind date, or an anniversary.

Why it was comfortable even with a child

The atmosphere was so elegant that at first I wondered whether it would be okay to bring a child. But actually, it was very comfortable to visit with one.

They prepared a high chair and even set out separate children’s tableware.

They also brought welcome drinks for my daughter and me, and my daughter got Sangha Farm juice. It’s something she already drinks well at home, so she was thrilled the moment she saw it, haha. From a mom’s point of view, I loved thinking, “Ah, they really take care of young guests here too.”

What we ordered to share with my child

That day, we ordered Margherita pizza and nurungji ragu pasta!

Since we were sharing with my child, we chose dishes that my daughter would enjoy too—and it turned out to be such a good choice. First, the Margherita pizza was generously topped with tomato and cheese, with basil sauce dotted here and there, so it looked incredibly appetizing too. Rather than a pizza piled high with flashy toppings, it was the kind that lets the natural flavors of the ingredients shine!

And then the nurungji ragu pasta! The ragu sauce was very rich and thick, but the crispy nurungji (scorched rice) on top completely changed the texture. The occasional crunch of crispy nurungji went surprisingly well with the soft noodles and deep ragu sauce. And most importantly... my daughter ate it so well ♥ That is the most important thing for a mom. Hahaha.

I want to try the other dishes too!!!! Especially the Western-style dishes they say are only served at weekday lunch! Will I get to try them...? ㅠ

An Italian restaurant by day, a wine bar at night?

It would be great to come for pasta with a child in the daytime, then return for a beer with my husband in the evening.

It was fun that the very same space felt completely different once it became 6 p.m. I wanted to have a beer at the bar table.

A place that spoiled my eyes, ears, and taste buds

• The beautiful interior and sunlight were a treat for the eyes,
• The gentle sound of water inside the restaurant was soothing for the ears,
• And the delicious Margherita pizza and nurungji ragu pasta made my taste buds happy too!

When your daughter eats well and Mom is happy too, doesn’t that make a restaurant an automatic repeat visit...?

Dongtan 2 Mok-dong Public Parking Lot is a lovely Italian restaurant in Hwaseong for a visit with a child, a date, or an anniversary! Daughter, let’s come back for pasta next time!!! ♥