Italian restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul: truffle pasta at Romaok Magok

Today, I went for brunch at Romaok Magok (로마옥 마곡), an atmospheric restaurant on the third floor of LG Arts Centre Seoul, right in front of Magoknaru Station. I used to stop by here now and then after seeing musicals, and with its terrace and really lovely atmosphere, it is an Italian restaurant I’d recommend for dates, anniversaries, family gatherings, lunch, or work dinners.

Romaok Magok 3F, LG Arts Centre Seoul, 136 Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul Daily 11:00–21:30 Break time 15:00–17:00 / Last order 14:00, 20:30

You can enter the LG Arts Centre building directly from the Airport Railroad side, and the underground parking garage is spacious and well laid out, so it was easy to come by car too.

High ceilings and a terrace with Roman flair

Romaok Magok has high ceilings, so the upscale atmosphere hits you as soon as you walk in.

The open view of the kitchen and the Colosseum- and arch-inspired interior really caught my eye. The dining room itself felt like a European square, but the outdoor terrace seats in particular have the perfect atmosphere for brunch.

The restaurant was spacious and comfortable, and I saw not only solo diners but also plenty of couples on dates and groups meeting up.

• Group seating available
• A variety of bar tables and tables for 2–3 people

Antique candlesticks, books, and other objects that evoke a Roman, European mood are placed throughout the restaurant, making it fun to look around—and I had a feeling the photos would come out well too.

• Standard parking discount: 2 hours free, then ₩3,000 per hour
• Combined use: parking time can be combined with other facilities in the building
• Performance-goers: after settling the bill at Romaok, validate your ticket; free or discounted parking applies when the ticket is validated within 5 hours

A menu spanning pasta to steak

There were so many Western-style choices, from appetizers and pasta to risotto, steak, wine, and dessert, so there was plenty to choose from.

They are currently offering a discount to customers with same-day tickets for the musical Dracula. It would be nice to come straight here for a meal after the show.

My solo brunch menu

Perhaps because the chef comes from a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Italy, the menu was wonderfully varied. There were dishes that gently wove Korean ingredients into classic Italian cooking. I chose some brunch dishes that were good for one person, and the neat plating and deep flavors made for a satisfying meal even on my own. Oh, and apparently this place was listed in this year’s Blue Ribbon Survey Seoul restaurant guide!

The complimentary pre-meal bread came with herb olive oil for dipping.

Pine Nut Caprese Salad ₩17,000

I added a decaf Americano. It was a delicious iced Americano—nutty and clean-tasting.

The pine nut Caprese salad was a fresh, light salad with frilly ice lettuce, jujube tomatoes, black tomatoes, white balsamic, pine nuts, and fromage blanc.

The pre-meal bread was freshly baked green-onion ciabatta. Crisp yet soft, it was perfect lightly dipped in the herb oil and eaten with the fresh tomatoes and vegetables—such a perfect brunch 🫶 I thought the white part was mozzarella, but it was ricotta with a soft texture like whipped cream or Greek yogurt. Nutty, sweet, and soft, and it went so well with the nuts!

Fresh Truffle Korean Beef White Ragu Pasta ₩29,000

It was made with Korean beef ragu, salsiccia, black truffle paste, black truffle, sherry wine vinegar, and spaghettini.

Rather than an artificial truffle fragrance, it had a subtle aroma, while the long-simmered Korean beef ragu had a definite, satisfying chew. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente too, with a great bite.

The subtle acidity that came through now and then kept it from feeling rich, making it easy to eat cleanly to the very end. It was an elegant pasta with good balance, without being overly heavy.

The crisp pickles are just the thing to have one of whenever it starts to feel a little rich—then you are ready to dig back in right away.

There was plenty of sauce, so it was delicious to dip the pre-meal bread in it too.

For a quiet brunch around Magoknaru

If you are looking to enjoy a quiet brunch near Magoknaru or want an Italian restaurant with a lovely atmosphere, this is a place worth visiting at least once.

• An Italian restaurant listed in the Blue Ribbon Survey guide
• The chef is said to have worked at a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Italy
• The upscale atmosphere makes it great for a date
• The Western-style menu selection is varied