Wangsimni Korean bar for chicken hot pot: Ari Gyegok

A Korean bar in Hanyang University’s food alley, close to Wangsimni Station

I go to Wangsimni often, and this time I wanted to try somewhere different, so I searched hard and found this place. When choosing a bar, it is hard to talk if it is too loud—but if you choose somewhere just for the vibe and the food is disappointing, that is awkward too, right?! Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch is a Wangsimni bar that keeps the character of traditional Korean food while making the space feel trendy without overdoing it; it was quiet enough for our group to keep chatting naturally!

Location and hours

It is a three-minute walk from Exit 6 of Wangsimni Station. Hours are Monday through Sunday, 16:30–02:00, with last orders at 01:00.

Outside and waiting

Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch is in Hanyang University’s food alley. Best of all, it was easy to get to from Wangsimni Station. It is very accessible whether you have had a first-round meal nearby or are looking for a bar for a second round around Wangsimni Station.

Even if there is a wait, you do not have to stand around! There is a waiting machine in front of the restaurant~~ At popular bars, people often line up right outside the entrance, but here you can register on the waiting machine, so you would not need to keep standing in front. Naver reservations are also available, so it would be nice to plan ahead. Group seating is well set up too, so I think making a reservation would feel more reassuring if you are visiting with several people.

A spacious interior across two floors

Once we went inside, the space was much larger than I expected. Both the first and second floors are used, so the tables were laid out with plenty of room, and the fully equipped group seating made it seem suitable for gatherings with friends or company dinners too.

The interior felt like it preserved the mood of traditional Korean food while mixing in just the right amount of current style. It was not too flashy or excessively trendy, which actually made it comfortable. The liquor bottles used throughout the décor especially caught my eye. They emphasized the identity of the place as a bar while naturally becoming focal points.

The lighting and wood tones came together for an overall warm, atmospheric feel. Maybe because it is near a university district, Ari Gyegok had the quintessential university bar vibe~!

Where are the restrooms?

The restrooms are inside the restaurant and are separated by gender. The women’s restroom is on the first floor and the men’s restroom is on the second, which was convenient.

A menu for dinner through a third round

As you would expect from a Korean bar, the menu is really varied. There are light options as well as dishes substantial enough for a meal~ Ari Gyegok is a Wangsimni bar that works for a first, second, or third round!

They do not only sell soju and beer—the selection of traditional Korean alcohol is extensive too, so I definitely wanted to try some next time. hehe

Original Chicken Hot Pot with extra glass noodles

Here is what we ordered…!!!

• Original Chicken Hot Pot — ₩22,900
• Aged-Kimchi Fried Rice — ₩6,900
• Sweet Potato Yakgwa Ice Cream — ₩8,900
• Soju and beer — ₩5,000

If you come to Ari Gyegok, it would be difficult to skip the signature Original Chicken Hot Pot. It stood out to me most from the menu, and when it arrived, it looked seriously appetizing right away.

We were craving noodles too, so we added glass noodles. Glass noodles go so well with this kind of broth dish.

A spicy dipping sauce for the chicken comes with it too. The basic side dishes include pickled radish wraps, which freshened up the palate when eaten with the chicken.

What does the aged-kimchi fried rice taste like?

The aged-kimchi fried rice came out midway through. It was quite an oily fried rice.

It had a really distinct savory depth, so it was genuinely delicious. It is such a familiar flavor… but anyway, delicious. In short, it had that rich, addictive fried-rice flavor you expect at a bar. The portion is not huge, so I think one fried rice per person would be possible too. haha

It seemed that glass noodles already came in the hot pot, but this amount could not possibly satisfy me. haha. Eaten with vegetables such as bean sprouts and glass noodles, they were even more irresistible than the chicken.

And something fun: the chicken tenderloin comes separately. You eat the pieces already in the hot pot first, then add the tenderloin midway and cook it. I liked being able to add it whenever I wanted.

When you are ready to switch things up, dip it right into the spicy sauce~~ There is no need to specifically order the spicy chicken hot pot; you can just use the sauce according to your taste.

A sweet finish with sweet potato yakgwa ice cream

Lastly, we had the sweet potato yakgwa ice cream. It came with ice cream on top of yakgwa, a chewy honey cookie, and sweet potato sticks on the side. Eating the warm, chewy yakgwa with cold ice cream made for a nice palate cleanser after the hot pot and fried rice.

Having it with the sweet potato sticks made it fun as a dessert too. It was a good choice when you have been drinking and want to wrap up with one sweet dish.

It was late to the trend, but I also tried the new Saero Omija. It was completely my style, so I am planning to drink it from time to time going forward. >___<

A comfortable place to talk in Wangsimni

Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch felt like a great place to enjoy Korean dishes as drinking snacks while having a comfortable conversation. If you are looking for a bar with an atmospheric interior and a relaxed mood, this is exactly it. The prices are reasonable and the menu is varied, so it can accommodate anything from dates to group gatherings! If you are looking for a Wangsimni bar near Wangsimni or Hanyang University, how about Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch?