A Seat at the Bar — Onyu

Bundang bar near Migeum Station: 1++ hanwoo tadaki at Hwieol Migeum

Hwieol Migeum Branch is a Korean bar (hansik jujeom) on Kkaridan-gil in Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, a 4–5 minute walk from Exit 4 of Migeum Station. Stopping in for round two, the writer ordered two draft beers and a bottle of soju with mala cream shrimp at 23,000 won and 1++ hanwoo tadaki at 30,000 won, plus a plate of salmon sashimi served free because the kitchen had run out of the ingredient. With its orange-and-black interior and partitioned sofa booths, Hwieol Migeum works well as a date spot or a second stop after a blind date.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Jeongja Station sashimi spot for fall gizzard shad: Pohang Makhoe

Pohang Makhoe is a wild raw fish (makhoe) and mulhoe restaurant on Jeongjail-ro in Bundang, Seongnam, with seafood shipped in the same day from Jukdo Market in Pohang. Seated at an outdoor table, the medium wild makhoe (1-2 people, 39,000 won) arrived as mixed fish, amberjack and gizzard shad in a generous portion, fresh and nutty eaten with shredded cucumber, perilla leaves, seaweed and seaweed soup. Pohang Makhoe is a good Bundang sashimi restaurant for a beer-and-soju round during the autumn gizzard shad season.

Written Sep 15, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulBars

Hyehwa izakaya for motsunabe hot pot and tori karaage: Hanamato

Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa is a Japanese izakaya in Jongno, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station, opened on Daehangno by the Hanamato that made its name in Sindorim. Two people sat in the second-floor hall and ordered motsunabe for 19,000 won, tori karaage for 12,000 won and five charcoal yakitori skewers for 13,000 won with draft Terra beer, for a total of 54,000 won. The motsunabe broth packed with beef intestine, the karaage fried to order and the retro two-floor layout made Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa an easy pick for a group night out.

Written Aug 29, 2026Sponsored