Hongdae izakaya dinner for two with heart skewers: Yakitori Iyu

I went for drinks with some really good snacks at Yakitori Iyu. It's a Japanese-style skewer dining spot selling yakitori, and as a Hongdae izakaya (Japanese pub) it's a place I want to come back to.

Where is Yakitori Iyu in Hongdae?

Yakitori Iyu is near Hongdae Festival Street, in the basement of a building on Jandari-ro. Lately I've mostly been going to bars in Yeonnam, so it had been a while since I came to this side. I expected a totally busy, crowded area, but it's actually on the quieter side. It's also a good pick if you're looking for a quiet bar in Hongdae.

It feels like you can escape Korea once you walk in. Open the door and your trip to Japan begins, kind of?

What's the seating like at Yakitori Iyu? Window seats recommended

Yakitori Iyu has counter seats (dajji) and 4-person tables. The atmosphere was really great, one of the best Hongdae bars I've been to.

The layout works well for two people, and also for 3–4 people drinking together.

I thought about taking a 4-person table, but we sat by the window so we could drink at ease and people-watch. If the window seats are free, I recommend them. There's a hanok-style (traditional Korean house) building across the street, so it feels like Japan inside and Korea outside.

What's on the menu at Yakitori Iyu?

You can also enjoy Yakitori Iyu through set menus, but we ordered the 5-skewer set. It takes away the worry of deciding which skewers to order.

There are chicken skewers, but also pork and vegetable skewers. There are side dishes too. The brisket radish somyeon (thin wheat noodles) is the signature menu, so we ordered one. It's good for getting some carbs in, and it's super cheap.

For a proper meal, there were also nabe, ramen and udon.

They have Japanese soju too: barley soju and sweet potato soju. Sweet potato soju is so good... I'll have it next time.

If you can't decide, picking from the photos helps!

The complimentary side dish was seasoned cucumber. So cute. At home I'd munch through cucumbers, but when they come out this tiny and adorable, you end up saving them.

They carefully grill the skewers you order over charcoal. Skewers honestly taste different from place to place, I think. I was looking forward to it.

How were the blue lemon sour and Asahi draft beer?

Blue lemon sour is ₩7,000 and Asahi draft beer is ₩8,500. It felt like we'd come on a trip to Japan... so happy.

My husband really liked the blue lemon sour. It was moderately sweet and refreshing. Blue lemon is definitely tastier than plain lemon. It was so good that, surprisingly, he even said he wanted another glass. The Asahi draft needs no words. You've got to start the first round with beer.

How was the 5-skewer set (₩17,800)?

We're the type who eat a good lunch and prefer a relatively light dinner.

All five skewers at Yakitori Iyu were delicious. Each one was so good that as you savor them, even this simple menu quietly fills you up.

The 5-skewer set is ₩17,800. The skewers come seasoned already, so you don't really need to dip them.

But if it gets a bit rich, you can dip them in shichimi (Japanese chili spice blend), pink salt, or wasabi? (basil?). Even these are plated beautifully.

We only meant to have a sour and a beer with a light snack, but we ended up happily full. A great yakitori spot in Hongdae.

What does the signature brisket radish somyeon (₩11,000) taste like?

The brisket radish somyeon at Yakitori Iyu is ₩11,000. My husband and I often have no appetite in the evening. At those times we crave something fresh and clean. Brisket radish somyeon? Somehow I couldn't resist. It was exactly the kind of dinner we wanted.

It had noodles, meat, seasoned radish and more meat. You add the sauce a little at a time, tasting as you mix. It was light and just delicious. The radish was especially crunchy and the best part. Not heavy at all, a clean dish.

Why were the heart skewers at Yakitori Iyu so shocking?

The heart skewer at Yakitori Iyu was truly shocking. The hearts I'd eaten until now weren't hearts. My husband and I were both stunned after trying it... What we had in Japan didn't even compare. If we'd been drinking more, I think we'd have ordered a few more heart skewers.

How were the pork and chicken skewers seasoned?

It was like a pork belly skewer. Personally, I think Korea is the stronger skewer country.

Topped with pesto, it was heavenly. I don't know how they cook it so perfectly. And the seasoning was just right. Not bland, just deliciously salty. Which makes me keep wanting beer.

It was the saltiness I like. The chicken wasn't tough either. Eating it, I thought, so this is a dining-level skewer. I'd strongly recommend it as a Hongdae izakaya.

The chicken wings were seasoned just right too. Pleasantly salty, and I wanted to keep eating.

Is Yakitori Iyu worth going back to?

Yakitori Iyu, a Hongdae izakaya, is a Japanese-style pub that really knows how to grill skewers. The atmosphere is great too, so I want to go again. Great food, great vibe.