Ajou University date bar with matcha makgeolli and yukjeon: Hwial

A rare outing to Ajou University with my husband

After a while away from our usual routine, my husband Ttakoon and I enjoyed a date near Ajou University, a place full of memories for us. It's where we spent a lot of time dating 20 years ago, and now it's somewhere we go once in a while for a change of mood and a bit of nostalgia.

It's nice to feel the young, lively energy that's unique to a university neighborhood, but today we wanted somewhere a little calmer where we could actually talk. The place we picked was Hwial Ajou University Branch.

What's the vibe at Hwial Ajou University Branch? The stylish waiting area alone wins points

The first thing that greeted us as soon as we arrived at Hwial was a waiting area prettily laid with white pebbles. A large LED screen displayed mouth-watering menu videos, so even someone as directionally challenged as me could spot the place from far away.

Once you open the door and step inside, the sleek interior and cozy lighting catch your eye right away. Unlike the usual noisy bustle of a university-area bar, it has a modern, appealingly dim atmosphere. It's great for focusing fully on the person across from you, so if you're looking for a good date restaurant near Ajou University, it's hard to find a better spot. It's not just for dates either — I'd strongly recommend it as a gathering spot for a night out with close friends over drinks.

What we ordered and the prices

Even before we walked in, all the different menu options welcomed us, so we had a happy little dilemma deciding what to get. We settled on makgeolli (rice wine) for our drink first, which narrowed down the side dish choices, and we landed on beef shank suyuk hotpot and yukjeon. The total came to about 50,000 won, and popcorn came free as a service snack.

🍵 Matcha makgeolli, 8,900 won: a sweet, bitter, unusual find

What caught our eye on the menu was 'matcha makgeolli,' priced at a reasonable 8,900 won. We're a couple who loves pairing a hearty Korean side dish with a drink, but the combination of matcha and makgeolli felt unfamiliar and intriguing.

The matcha makgeolli arrives

A little while later, the matcha makgeolli arrived in a pretty clear glass jug, with the milky-white makgeolli and vivid green matcha making a striking contrast — it practically demanded a photo. After giving it a good stir with the muddler and taking a sip, the makgeolli's signature soft sweetness comes through first, then the refined bitterness of matcha hits right after. The finish is clean rather than heavy, so even people who aren't fans of bitter alcohol could enjoy it lightly, almost like a drink.

🍲 Stamped with 'Hwial' — deep, refreshing beef shank suyuk hotpot

With a great drink ready, it was time for a great side dish to show up. Being a proper side-dish specialist, they had plenty of options, but the first dish we picked was the beef shank suyuk hotpot, simmered right on the table burner.

The hotpot arrived looking amazing. Centered around a king oyster mushroom stylishly stamped with the word 'Hwial,' it was topped with white jelly mushrooms blooming like flowers, big chunks of tofu, clams to make the broth refreshing, and a generous pile of thinly sliced beef shank suyuk (boiled meat).

The broth is seriously amazing

The clear, richly brewed broth wasn't overpowering but had deep umami, and it was fun to fish out the tender, soft-chewing beef shank along with the slurpy yellow noodles. It was the perfect choice to melt away a day's worth of fatigue.

🥩 Overwhelming size and savoriness, yukjeon that melts in your mouth

Just as we were filling up nicely on the beef shank suyuk hotpot, the second dish arrived — yukjeon. Unlike the usual small pieces of pan-fried meat that come in multiples, this one is pan-fried whole, like a giant pajeon (green onion pancake). On top, a mountain of spicy-tangy dressed green onion and vegetable salad is piled high.

The texture is so alive

Tearing off a big piece with chopsticks, piling on plenty of the vegetable salad, and popping it in your mouth, the meat's juiciness and the egg's savoriness spread all through your mouth. Yukjeon can sometimes feel greasy, but the spicy salad perfectly balances it out — I couldn't stop reaching for more with my chopsticks. The deep flavor of the beef shank suyuk hotpot, the intense savoriness of the yukjeon, and the matcha makgeolli — this combination of three was truly the best.

Final thoughts and the ice persimmon tip

If you visit Hwial, there's one tip you shouldn't miss: if you take part in the receipt or SNS review event, you get a sweet, cool 'ice persimmon' as a free treat! After eating a hot hotpot and a greasy pancake, finishing off with a bite of cool ice persimmon really cleanses the palate.

Hwial Ajou University Branch delivered a great evening with nothing missing — atmosphere, side dishes, and thoughtful service. If you're looking for a foolproof date course near Ajou University, or a hot spot to bring people you care about, I'd recommend this place without hesitation.