Today I visited Pasta Gongjakso, a well-known spot in Sangam with a striking blue exterior. It was a weekday, so I managed to book a same-day reservation in the morning and came by for lunch.
My first impression walking in was that this felt less like a restaurant and more like a workshop. The objects around the space give off a strong sense of craftsmanship — something being made rather than simply served — and for a moment it actually gave me pause.
Watching them make so many different pasta shapes by hand, it’s clear how much care and effort goes into this place.
I ordered gnocchi and one of the noodle pastas. The noodles had a springy, bouncy texture — it reminded me of the texture you’d get at a hand-pulled udon shop in Japan. The sauce wasn’t like the typical pasta you’d normally come across either — you could taste real creativity and genuine care for the dish.
Menu: A range of handmade fresh pasta — 17,000–23,000 KRW
The bread served alongside was chewy and delicious too. It looked smaller than it was, but the portion turned out to be generous. Seoul has no shortage of Italian restaurants, but I don’t think I’ve come across a pasta place with this much love for “noodles” — in both the interior and the food. If you ever find yourself in Sangam, it’s worth a visit.
2. Alod Coffee
Address: 74, Seongam-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (10-minute walk from DMC Station)
Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 12pm–7pm
Menu: Drinks 5,000–7,000 KRW, desserts around 8,900 KRW
After a filling pasta lunch, I moved right next door to this café. It’s housed in the building of a company where comedian Song Eun-i serves as CEO — the café occupies the 1st floor and basement.
The seasonal-fruit cakes on display looked tempting, but I was too full to try one this time.
I ordered a hot Americano. You can choose between a nutty or an acidic bean depending on your taste — I went with the acidic one, and it was clean and easy to drink. They also apparently take advance cake reservations, so it’s known as a solid spot for cakes too.
The space is spacious and comfortable — a rare thing to find in Sangam. Thanks to the warm weather, a lot of people were enjoying their coffee outside in the basement-level outdoor seating. The kitchen looked spacious too, and there were good tables and seats set up for anyone who wanted to get some work done.
On the way up to the first floor, there’s a shelf made of stainless steel and glass — the color and composition stood out, and it was fun browsing the small decorative objects around it. Plants and flowers are placed thoughtfully throughout the space, and the deep red of the flowers plays nicely against Alod’s signature mint-green color scheme, giving the whole space a distinctive feel.
The steel staircase and exposed walls give it an industrial edge that leans modern. There’s also a fun convex mirror that adds a bit more variety to the space.
On the way up, there’s also an eye-catching piece of art — the colors work well against the monotone wall, with mint tones used throughout the composition. That paper installation, it turns out, is actually a space for writing letters under the theme “tell me your thoughts” — the color combination was pretty, so I took a photo.
There’s a small terrace space too. The first floor has plenty of tables and a mix of furniture that feels comfortable while nodding to Bauhaus and mid-century design. The spacing between tables is generous, making it a good spot for conversation or even a meeting. Sunlight pouring in through the large windows makes the space feel even richer. There’s also a sunken seating area with mint accents, using the floor-level change to vary the space. The corner window adds a nice sense of openness, and even the door handles have a distinct sense of design to them. It’s a mint shade with just a touch of light green — a genuinely appealing color palette for the café.
My take: Alod Coffee stands out for its color palette and spacious layout — it would work well for getting work done, meetings, or gathering with a group. It’s a comfortable space for all kinds of people, and given how rare a wide, pleasant café like this is in Sangam-dong, it’s a great spot to visit when you want to feel a bit of ease in the middle of the city.
Stop 1: Pasta Gongjakso (파스타 공작소) — Handmade Pasta in Sangam-dong
What It Is
Info about pasta gongjakso
address: 24, World Cup buk-ro 42ga-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
opening hours: 11:30am - 9pm (break hours 2pm-6pm, closed on sunday)
price range: 17,000-23,000won
tip: It's good to make a reservation
Stop 2: Cafe Alod — A Living Gallery of Plants and Light
Info about Cafe Alod
address: 74, Seongam-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Opening hours:10am - 7pm ( mon to sat)
12am-7pm(sunday)
