Pork jowl toomba pasta with dad at Pasta Trio, Seocho, Seoul

I had some business near Nonhyeon Station with my dad, so we stopped by Pasta Trio, which I'd heard was a real hit. The vibe was calmer than I expected and the place was packed, so I figured this really must be one of those genuine Express Bus Terminal Station favorites.

Italian ingredients packed onto shelves by the entrance

Right by the entrance, shelves are lined with wine, pasta noodles, canned goods and other Italian ingredients. It was fun to browse before sitting down.

The lighting was soft and the tables were spaced generously, so we could chat without worrying about the next table over. Pasta Trio also has outdoor seating, and on a nice spring or fall day the terrace seats looked like they'd be great. Next time I come back, I want to sit outside.

What's on the Pasta Trio menu?

With oil, cream, rosé and tomato-based pastas, plus paccheri, gnocchi and even steak, there's plenty to pick from depending on your mood. Ordering is done via table QR with photos, so even unfamiliar dishes are easy to choose.

Still thinking about that pork jowl toomba

Dad ordered the large pork jowl toomba pasta, and I got the seasonal fruit ricotta salad.

When the pork jowl toomba pasta arrived, it grabbed my eyes right away. Cheese piled up like snow, a soft-boiled egg on top, and thick slices of pork jowl.

The toomba sauce was thick and rich, but not as heavy as I expected, so we never got tired of it even to the last bite. I felt like I'd really found a good pasta spot near Nonhyeon Station.

Dad cleaned his plate completely. No further explanation needed — that alone proves Pasta Trio is good, right? Definitely order this one.

The ricotta salad changes with the season

The seasonal fruit ricotta salad (₩15,000) I had came with melon that day. About five thick-cut melon slices were arranged with a generous scoop of house-made ricotta cheese piled in the center.

The vegetables were nice and crisp, and the sliced almonds added a good crunch. The ricotta was nutty and rich, balanced by the sweet-tart melon, which made it perfect for resetting my palate between bites of pasta.

I ordered it deliberately since I was trying to eat light, and after finishing it I felt like it was a good call. The portion was bigger than I expected, so it was filling too. Since the fruit in Pasta Trio's ricotta salad changes with the season, I found myself curious what would show up next time.

Saved as my go-to pasta spot near Nonhyeon Station

Having come to Pasta Trio myself, I could see exactly why it's known both as a Nonhyeon Station pasta spot and an Express Bus Terminal Station favorite. The menu is solid and the atmosphere is good, making it the right place for a day you want a proper meal.

Be sure to check parking and break time

The one downside is that there's no parking, but you can walk in from either Nonhyeon Station or Express Bus Terminal Station using public transit. If you're visiting on a weekday, it's best to get there before 2pm. If you get caught in break time, you might end up waiting more than an hour.

Dad enjoyed his meal so much that it made the whole visit even more satisfying. Next time I'm in the area, I'd love to stop by again and try more of the menu.