Hongdae izakaya bar seats and Momoshu highball in Yeonnam-dong: Koma

With this weather lately, don't you just want a relaxed drink indoors some nights? 🌧️ So today I'm bringing you a fresh review of Koma Yeonnam, an izakaya that recently opened in Yeonnam-dong!! 🍢🥃

Near exit 3 of Hongik University Station and the Gyeongui Line Forest Path in Yeonnam-dong, it's a Japanese-style izakaya where you can enjoy fresh sashimi and charcoal-grilled dishes alongside highballs and shochu! 🍣🔥 If you're looking for an izakaya in Yeonnam-dong, this one's worth a look — here's my honest review!! 🤤

What kind of izakaya is Koma Yeonnam?

Before heading to Koma Yeonnam, I was looking through the menu and came across the owner's brand philosophy, which really stuck with me 🥹 There are plenty of good bars in Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong, but spaces where you can sit comfortably and talk for a long time are fewer than you'd think 🍻

So instead of packing in more tables, Koma Yeonnam chose to give each group a more relaxed, comfortable space 🪑✨

Wide tables, roomy chair spacing, and a distance that's just right for sitting across from someone and talking — the layout works comfortably for solo drinking, dates, small gatherings, and even group dinners or work dinners 👥💬 It felt like a level of detail you don't often see among Hongdae bars 💡🍷

Solo drinkers can settle in comfortably at the bar counter, while dates and groups can spread out at the wide tables — that duality seemed to be Koma Yeonnam's big charm point! 🥂

Where Koma Yeonnam is and what the basement entrance looks like

Among the many izakayas in Yeonnam-dong, this is probably the first basement spot I've been to that felt this pleasant!!

It's tucked inside a Yeonnam-dong alley, but there's a sign right on the street, so it wasn't too hard to find!

Koma Yeonnam address, hours and parking

• 📍 Address: 55-6 Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, B1, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 17:00–01:00 (last order 00:30)
• 🚗 Parking: No dedicated lot; Dongjin Parking Lot (227-15 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul) available — about a 3–5 minute walk after parking

Inside Koma Yeonnam: interior and seating

The first thing you see when you walk in is the bar table, and

if you turn further in, there are tables spaced generously apart! The layout lets you talk comfortably without worrying about the next table, so it seemed great both as a Yeonnam-dong date spot and a Hongdae group hangout!!

I wanted to photograph every table inside, but it was already fully booked — clearly word has gotten out that this place is good — so I snapped a quick shot before other guests arrived ㅠㅠ

The lighting was soft and dim, which made the food look great while also flattering everyone's faces — perfect selfie brightness, so it was really good for photos too 📸✨ There were also separate bar counter seats, so the vibe felt totally comfortable for solo drinking 🍶

We sat at the bar table with a view of the open kitchen!! The atmosphere was great~

Oh! And I liked that there was a restroom inside! A nice detail — under the mirror outside the restroom there were hair ties, cotton swabs, and mouthwash set out.

Also, group bookings for 20 or more are apparently possible, so if you're looking for a spot in Yeonnam for a work dinner or gathering, it's worth inquiring ahead! 📞

Koma Yeonnam menu and prices

What we ordered at Koma Yeonnam

• Signature Set A for two (₩59,000)
• Momoshu highball (₩9,500)
• Truffle potato salad (₩7,500)

Signature Set A for two (59,000 won): what's in it and how it tasted

Made up of sashimi cake for two / charcoal-grilled tori momoyaki / matcha cheese tofu

The sashimi cake came out beautifully layered like an actual cake — I was impressed by the visuals alone, and it let us enjoy a nice variety of fresh sashimi!

The charcoal-grilled tori momoyaki had a subtle smoky char, and the chewy yet tender texture of the chicken thigh meat was really memorable,

and the side combo of salt and wasabi, or dipping it in whole grain mustard, was delicious — dunking it in the soy-based sauce was also really good!!

The matcha cheese tofu had a subtle matcha aroma paired with soft tofu, which made for a perfect palate cleanser 🍵

Momoshu highball (9,500 won)

A highball with a subtle peach aroma — not too sweet, and the alcohol taste wasn't overpowering, so it went really well alongside the sashimi! 🍑 It was satisfying enough to call it a standout highball in Yeonnam-dong 🥂

Truffle potato salad (7,500 won)

A potato salad with a strong truffle aroma — great as a drinking snack, and light enough that I kept reaching for more! 🤤

This was a side dish the owner gave us on the house — fried tofu skin and grilled mochi with a soy sauce, apparently a new menu item launching the next day!!

The mochi was so wonderfully chewy, and it paired so well with the fried tofu skin and sauce! It was so good that I still want to eat it as I'm writing this ㅠㅠ

Who is Koma Yeonnam best for?

A happy day at a Yeonnam-dong izakaya, chatting away comfortably at a wide table while thoroughly enjoying sashimi, charcoal-grilled dishes, and a highball 🌙🍶

If you want a quiet chat after a walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Path, or you're looking for a comfortable izakaya near Hongik University Station, I highly recommend Koma Yeonnam! 🔥✨