Yeouido izakaya with lamb ribs and night views: Nani

How do you get there from Yeouido Station?

I visited Nani Yeouido Branch (나니 여의도점) for dinner after work. It was on the third floor of the S-TRENUE Building, less than a minute on foot from Exit 3 of Yeouido Station. After getting off the elevator and following the corridor, I came to an entrance decorated in soft lighting and wood tones.

The hours listed in the original post were 5 PM to 2 AM the following day, Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays. It also stated that parking, reservations, and group visits were available.

Is the atmosphere good for a quiet conversation?

The interior was more spacious than I had expected from outside. Dark wood furniture and indirect lighting created a calm mood, and the tables were generously spaced. During my visit, it was easy to talk with my companion without much disturbance from nearby tables.

A cherry blossom tree decoration stood in the center of the space. It made a bright focal point among the dark wood interior. The restaurant was divided into three main themed areas.

From the window-side tables, I could see Yeouido buildings and roads through the floor-to-ceiling windows. I enjoyed watching the city lights come on one by one as it grew dark. It seemed like a comfortable spot for a date and conversation, or for having a quiet drink alone.

How much were the shoulder rack lamb ribs, and what were they like?

The shoulder rack lamb ribs were ₩43,000. Thick rib bones arrived already grilled, and having lamb ribs at an izakaya felt a little different.

They were served on a heated iron plate, so I could eat them warm. The outside was browned and crisp, while the inside was moist.

They sizzled on the iron plate. When I tried them, they were not tough, and I could feel the grain of the meat.

Even when separating the bones from the meat with scissors, they cut without much effort. The interior was slightly pink and moist. Once cut into bite-sized pieces, it felt like a satisfying portion for me.

I picked up a piece of meat with tongs and tried it. When I ate it, I did not notice any gaminess.

I also picked up a rib and ate the meat attached to the bone. The meat around the bone was tender with a pleasantly chewy bite.

What were the sauces served with the lamb ribs like?

The zha cai sauce, made with pickled mustard stem, that came as a basic accompaniment was spicy and tangy. Dipping the rich, oily lamb ribs in it helped cut through the richness.

I also tried the basil sauce that came with it. The basil aroma worked with the lamb's meaty flavor, giving it a different taste from the zha cai sauce.

What came in the spicy Nagasaki seafood nabe?

The spicy Nagasaki seafood nabe (Japanese-style hot pot) I ordered with the lamb ribs was ₩35,000. It arrived in a large hot-pot pan piled with crab, shrimp, clams, webfoot octopus, and vegetables.

After it came to a boil, the broth had both seafood umami and a clean, spicy heat. The webfoot octopus had a chewy texture when I spooned it up with the broth. The hot broth went well between bites of the rich lamb ribs.

What drinks and basic snacks did you have?

Before the dishes arrived, fried gunbbang (hardtack) coated in sugar came as a basic snack. It was crisp and sweet, so I picked at it while waiting for the food. The accompanying side dish was pleasantly chewy and tangy.

For a drink, I poured Zero Cola over ice. The carbonation refreshed my mouth between the lamb ribs and spicy nabe.

What kind of evening does it suit?

What stayed with me from this visit was the generous table spacing and calm atmosphere. I also liked alternating the tender lamb ribs with the spicy seafood nabe. With city lights outside the window and room to talk, it felt suited to dinner with companions after work or a date.