Rola
로라
About
Cozy Italian bistro along Bulgwangcheon Stream featuring seasonal pasta, homemade gnocchi, and warm European-style wooden interiors.
Tucked into a quiet residential lane just off the Bulgwangcheon stream and steps from Jeungsan Station, Rora delivers unpretentious Italian home cooking in an intimate, wood-toned dining room. Framed by picture windows looking out toward the neighborhood, the space glows under low, warm amber lighting. Wall shelves lined with well-kept books and small touches—like tables outfitted with paper and crayons—lend the dining room the cozy, relaxed hum of a neighborhood salon rather than a hurried city bistro. The restaurant garnered wider recognition after appearing on the dating show *EXchange 2*, yet it continues to serve as an easygoing local retreat for dates, brunch, and leisurely wine pairings. Rora’s culinary rhythm leans heavily on the calendar, running a chalkboard lineup of monthly specials alongside permanent staples. Spring welcomes savory wild vegetable egg pies paired with fresh greens and fragrant mushroom leek cream soup, while peak summer introduces an unpeeled, crunchy peach panzanella tossed with rich dollops of ricotta and extra virgin olive oil. Pasta remains a primary draw. The kitchen’s gnocchi arrives soft and pillowy with a delicate chew, dressed in vibrant green pesto—such as smooth basil cream dusted with a touch of red spice or an herby rucola pesto. Other seasonal iterations have featured sweet pumpkin variations. Oven-baked eggplant lasagna layers tender vegetables with a clean, mild ragu sauce that highlights the produce without drowning in heavy grease. Seafood lovers gravitate toward the shrimp bisque pasta, where tender shellfish is tossed in an aromatic reduction and finished with a crunchy shower of seasoned breadcrumbs for texture. Beyond pasta, crisp oven-fired pizzas topped with marinated tomatoes or classic melted cheese provide balanced accompaniments to glasses of wine or cold draft beers from Gangneung’s Budnamu Brewery. With limited seating and pet-friendly accommodations, calling ahead to reserve a table is the smartest route.
Menu
- Gnocchi₩19,000
- Arugula Pesto Pasta
- Basil Cream Gnocchi₩19,000
- 주키니 봉골레₩19,000
- 로라의수프₩8,000
- 신선한 루꼴라 페스토 파스타₩18,000
- 빵가루 얹은 새우 비스크 파스타₩20,000
- Cheese Pizza₩19,000
- Pepperoni Pizza₩21,000
Local tips
- Featured on EXchange 2 (Transit Love 2); interior seats fill quickly on weekends.
- Call ahead to make a reservation since there is no online booking platform.
- Check the chalkboard for rotating monthly and seasonal specials.
- Pets are welcome to accompany diners.
Details
- Jeungsan Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- —
- Monday
- —
- Tuesday
- 11:00–21:00
- Wednesday
- 11:00–21:00
- Thursday
- 11:00–21:00
- Friday
- 11:00–21:00
- Saturday
- 11:00–21:00