While many of us come to Korea to experience the culture and food, there are times when we have a craving for a taste outside of that. Whenever I start getting a hankering for something a little heavy and Italian-like, I find myself heading to Yen Cafe & Pasta.
Even from the outside looking in, you can tell that this place is special, though it may be a little too frilly for the more masculine types. The whole place is decorated with hearts, flowers, and sticky notes from other customers. You may even find yourself sitting next to a giant teddy bear throughout your meal.
One thing I will say right away is that it is ideal to visit this place in pairs. Whether you’re with a significant other or a best bud, the set menu is what keeps me coming back each time. For less than 20,000 KRW, you can get fondue, salad, your choice of pastas, and a cold beverage. They also offer different types of risotto and a chicken tender salad for anyone who's not really into noodles.
Now the cheese sauce for the fondue is nothing to write home about, but there is something about those buttery pieces of bread that I love. The salad itself isn't too bad either. I'm just happy that they don't cover my veggies in strawberry yogurt like a few other places do.
The real highlight of this little cafe is the pasta. The restaurant appears to be owned by a couple of young women who really know what they're doing in their small kitchen. Whether it's the Carbonara or the Funghi Cream, I have yet to be disappointed by the flavors put into each dish by these talented ladies. My personal favorite is the Spicy Alfredo Cream, which comes with shrimp, tomatoes, and the right amount of kick without being too spicy.
They also serve bread bowl pasta, for anyone who’s a fan of that. While delicious, I must warn those who try it that there is a lot of sauce that quickly soaks up the bread, making it into a potentially mushy bowl. The cafe also offers a variety of drinks, so you won’t have to go through the trouble of looking for a place for coffee and sweet drinks after dinner.
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Overall, Yen Cafe & Pasta is a cute little restaurant with good food and reasonable prices, which is my idea of a nice place for a date or a meeting with friends. The owners are also extremely sweet, and are quick to hand out candy to show their appreciation. They may also ask to take your picture to put on their wall if you’re a new customer, so don’t be shy.
posted by Jen Lee
Address: 광주광역시 동구 황금동 51번지 (located in the same alley as Speakeasy)
Phone: 070-8638-1230
Blog Website (More Pictures): http://blog.naver.com/
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