Gojan-dong bar in Ansan for Suntory draft and salmon sashimi: Gisul

Among the bars in Gojan-dong, Ansan, this is the one place I kept thinking about after my first visit — so I went back to Gisul (기술), the izakaya. After that first trip I also tried a few other spots run by the same team, but honestly, even ordering the same dishes, Gisul was the tastiest... haha. I couldn't stop thinking about the chewy salmon sashimi and the soft, foamy Suntory draft, so back I went.

Where is Gisul, and what are its hours and parking?

Gisul is an izakaya at 76 Gojan 1-gil, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, Unit 115. Hours are Sunday–Thursday 17:00–01:00 and Friday–Saturday 17:00–02:00, with last order one hour before closing.

• By car – No parking support at the building; the public lot in front of Jungang Heights Ville is recommended
• By subway – About an 8-minute walk from Exit 1 of Ansan Jungang Station

I visited late on a Saturday and luckily got seated right away with no wait.

What's on the menu at Gisul

Gisul has separate menus for food and drinks. There's everything from sashimi to fried dishes, grilled items, and soups, so it's genuinely fun to pick something. I've attached both the food and drink menu photos, so swipe through and take a look!

What we ordered at Gisul this time

• Salmon sashimi platter ₩36,000
• Handmade chili shrimp ₩24,000
• Suntory Premium Malt's draft ₩9,000 × 4 glasses

The table snack, salty pretzel sticks, comes out first — perfect for nibbling on before the real food arrives.

Suntory Premium Malt's draft beer, 9,000 won a glass

If you come to Gisul, Suntory Premium Malt's draft is a must, not an option! At ₩9,000 a glass it's not cheap, but I've found there really aren't that many places pouring Suntory draft. So if I spot it, I have to order it... lol. That first sip of cold draft with the soft, dense foam just goes down so smoothly. 🍺 (If you take part in the Naver review event, they give you one free glass of Suntory draft — definitely worth doing if you visit!)

Kelp-aged salmon sashimi platter, 36,000 won

This is the dish I almost always order at Gisul — the salmon sashimi platter for ₩36,000. The salmon comes sliced nice and thick, and thanks to the kelp-aging it's not just soft but has a lively, chewy bite. It's lightly seasoned too, so a single piece is delicious on its own. (Ask staff and they'll bring you cho-jang, the vinegared chili sauce, on the side.)

You have to try it with the poached-egg sauce in the middle too. Mix the yolk and sauce well, spoon it lightly over the salmon, and — oh man, so good...🤤 The savory richness pairs perfectly with the salmon.

I liked that you could mix and match different combinations even within a single platter.

Handmade chili shrimp, 24,000 won: crispy to the last bite

Next up was the handmade chili shrimp for ₩24,000. Just looking at that glossy, shiny finish already tells you it's going to be good... haha. One bite in, and honestly, it rivaled Chinese restaurant chili shrimp — what's the secret with Gisul's kitchen?! Even though it's coated generously in chili sauce, the shrimp stayed surprisingly crispy all the way through.

These weren't tiny cocktail shrimp either — each one was plump and springy, filling your mouth in one bite. If the salmon sashimi is the clean, easy-to-eat option, the chili shrimp is punchier and crispier, and ordering both together made for a great combo!

Is Gisul worth a return visit in Gojan-dong?

Gisul's menu is so varied that I want to try something new every time I visit. Come to think of it, last time I loved the eggplant shrimp tempura, and this time the handmade chili shrimp was on point too... I can't give up the salmon sashimi, and now the shrimp dishes keep hitting it out of the park — at this rate, when will I ever get through the whole menu?!!! My goal is to try every single dish at Gisul, but I have a feeling I'll end up reaching for another shrimp dish on my next visit too 🤣

If you're looking for a bar with great small plates among the bars in Gojan-dong, Ansan, give Gisul a try — it has plenty of options to choose from. Next time I'll really try something new... probably, haha.