Busanjin izakaya for salmon, beef tartare and sashimi: 12.24

Salmon, Korean beef yukhoe (seasoned raw beef), and sashimi with Asahi draft beer. While looking for somewhere in Jeonpo to have dinner and a casual drink, I stopped by 12.24 Seomyeon Branch (12.24 서면점).

Rather than somewhere with only a nice atmosphere, I wanted proper food to go with my drinks too, and I really liked the menu lineup. This time, I ordered the salmon, Korean beef yukhoe, and sashimi platter, along with Asahi draft beer.

If you are looking for an izakaya with a nice atmosphere in Jeonpo, this is one worth keeping an eye on.

An easy-to-reach spot in Jeonpo

12.24 Seomyeon Branch is on the first floor at 225 Jeonpo-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan. It is an easy walk from Jeonpo Station, so the route works well for an evening meet-up. It is open daily from 17:00 to 02:00, and there is no dedicated parking.

True to its name, the interior had a warm mood that brought Christmas to mind in little touches throughout.

The cozy interior at 12.24

Once inside, the lighting was warm throughout, making the bar feel quite cozy. It was not overly bright or hectic—more the kind of place that suits taking your time over a drink and conversation.

Along with regular tables, there were counter-style seats, which looked nice for a visit as a pair. There was also seating for larger groups, so it seemed good for both a Jeonpo date and a gathering with friends.

The counter area in particular looked onto the open kitchen, giving it that distinctive izakaya feel.

If atmosphere matters to you as much as food when choosing a Jeonpo izakaya, 12.24 Seomyeon Branch seems like a good fit.

Choosing from the menu

After taking a seat, I slowly looked through the menu. There were choices ranging from sashimi and yukhoe to fried dishes and soups, so choosing drinking snacks was fun.

Rather than adding several dishes that day, I chose the salmon, Korean beef yukhoe, and sashimi platter so I could enjoy everything I wanted at once. I also ordered cold Asahi draft beer to complete the pairing.

How was the salmon, Korean beef yukhoe, and sashimi?

A little later, the order arrived, and the presentation on one platter immediately caught my eye. Having salmon, yukhoe, and sashimi together made it a great lineup for drinks too.

It is a great choice for anyone who likes switching between different bites instead of eating just one drinking snack the whole time. It was plated so appetizingly that I took several photos as soon as it arrived.

I started with the salmon. It went down softly, with its distinctive rich, nutty flavor lingering gently. It did not feel too heavy, and it was easy to keep reaching for between pieces of sashimi.

Then, a piece of sashimi. The clean taste characteristic of chilled raw fish came through first, and its texture came alive the more I chewed. Alternating it with the salmon brought out their different textures and made the platter more fun to enjoy.

And of course, I could not leave out the Korean beef yukhoe. It was tender to chew with a slight springiness, giving it a charm quite different from the raw fish.

Its savory richness lingered in my mouth, and a sip of beer after a bite made for a really good pairing. There was also something fun about moving from salmon to yukhoe, then back to sashimi.

With Asahi draft beer

The Asahi draft beer was just as satisfying as the food that day. That first sip of the cold draft was so refreshing, and it went well with the sashimi.

Taking a sip of beer after the salmon or yukhoe freshened up my palate. Since this was a dish with several things to alternate between, I personally loved having draft beer alongside it throughout.

One piece of sashimi and a sip, then one piece of yukhoe and another sip—I found the drinks going down more easily than expected. Even without ordering a huge spread of snacks, the salmon, Korean beef yukhoe, and sashimi platter with draft beer was plenty enjoyable.

A solid Jeonpo bar: 12.24

The variety of food was nice, but the warm atmosphere of the space made it especially good for lingering over time.

Of the dishes I had, the salmon's soft flavor and the savory richness of the yukhoe stayed with me. Adding sashimi here and there gave the platter changing flavors and textures, so I did not get tired of it until the end. With the Asahi draft beer too, it was a pairing I would think of again on a day when I wanted dinner and drinks in Jeonpo.

If you are looking for a Jeonpo izakaya for a date or want a relaxed drink with a friend, and you want both atmosphere and good drinking snacks, 12.24 Seomyeon Branch may be worth considering. If you like raw fish and yukhoe as much as I do, I also recommend the salmon, Korean beef yukhoe, and sashimi platter with a cold Asahi draft beer.