Gangnam izakaya bar for late dinners: Osa Cheongdam

From its atmospheric terrace and private seating to its varied dishes, Osa Cheongdam had it all in one place.

An izakaya for a late dinner in Cheongdam

I went to Osa Cheongdam (오사 청담) for a late dinner with a friend.

It is within walking distance of Apgujeong Rodeo Station, and the calm atmosphere starts right at the entrance on the building's second floor. I had been looking for a Cheongdam izakaya where we could enjoy both food and drinks, and the space was larger than I expected, with many kinds of seating.

• Address: 2F, 37 Seolleung-ro 152-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 17:00–02:00
• Last order: 00:30
• Reservations: Naver reservations available
• Parking: Available
• Restrooms: Separate for men and women
• Group visits: Available

Lighting, plants, and a small garden came together at the entrance, making it feel more like stepping into a carefully styled space than a restaurant.

Inside, there was an open dining hall and bar seating, as well as private seating divided off by doors.

Even the hallway was decorated in calm wood tones, so it struck me as a Cheongdam izakaya worth visiting on a day when you want a quiet meal.

We sat on the terrace, surrounded by plants.

The tables were generously spaced, and each one had soft lighting, creating a lovely mood even late at night.

There was also a separate area displaying liquor bottles and bar seating, so it looked like a nice Cheongdam bar for a date or a gathering with several people.

Four dishes ordered by tablet

There was a tablet at every table, so we could take our time looking over the menu and order straight away. We ordered Korean beef offal miso nabe for ₩36,000, binchotan grilled chicken thigh with tare for ₩28,000, tiger shrimp bisque pasta for ₩36,000, and an udon noodle add-on for ₩5,000, for a total of ₩105,000.

First, a light dish with eggplant arrived.

The softly cooked eggplant paired with sauce and cheese was a great way to awaken our appetites before the main meal. The plating was neat overall too, so I found myself taking photos whenever a dish came out.

Tiger shrimp bisque pasta

The first dish that caught my eye was the tiger shrimp bisque pasta. Several large tiger prawns sat on top, so it looked appetizing from the start. I moved a shrimp onto my small plate and ate it with the pasta; the flesh was plump, with a really satisfying bite.

The bisque sauce had soaked deeply into the pasta, letting the shrimp flavor come through fully. It was thick and full of savory depth, exactly my kind of dish as a shrimp lover. Being able to enjoy pasta alongside typical izakaya dishes was another appeal of Osa Cheongdam.

Binchotan grilled chicken thigh with tare

The binchotan grilled chicken thigh with tare came with bite-sized chicken, grilled green onion, shishito peppers, and salad.

The chicken thigh was moist and tender, with the lightly sweet tare sauce well absorbed into the surface.

Adding the grilled vegetables made the aroma and texture even more varied.

A little wasabi on top of the chicken neatly cuts through the sweetness of the tare sauce. The chicken never felt heavy even as I kept eating it, and the salad between bites made for a good combination. If you are looking for a Cheongdam bar where you can cover both drinks and dinner, this is a menu item worth ordering.

Korean beef offal miso nabe with udon noodles

The Korean beef offal miso nabe came generously filled with gopchang (beef small intestine), bean sprouts, garlic chives, mushrooms, and more.

Because it simmered right at the table, it stayed warm throughout the meal. The broth combined the nutty, savory taste of miso with the rich flavor released by the offal.

The offal in particular was plump and tender, becoming richer as I chewed. The vegetables and mushrooms had absorbed the broth too, making them easy to scoop up together, while the broth alone tasted deeply flavorful. It was a great Cheongdam izakaya menu choice for a chilly evening or whenever you are craving something brothy.

After we had eaten some of it, we added the udon noodles we had ordered separately.

The thick, springy noodles absorbed the miso broth, making the flavor even deeper than at the beginning. Serving the noodles with offal, mushrooms, and garlic chives onto our small plates made for a filling finish. I kept reaching for it, to the point that we ate nearly all the remaining offal and broth too.

From terrace to private seating

Osa Cheongdam offers a terrace, dining hall, bar seats, and various private spaces, making it easy to choose according to the occasion. The three main dishes each had a distinct character, and the portions were generous enough that the two of us were full. Its late hours are also convenient when looking for a Cheongdam bar.

From rich bisque pasta to smoky grilled chicken thigh and warm motsunabe (beef offal hot pot), the menu combination worked very well. It was a Cheongdam izakaya I would think of when I want proper food and drinks in an atmospheric space.