Yeouido izakaya dinner without drinks: Nani Yeouido Branch

Was it okay to go just for dinner without drinks?

I met my husband in Yeouido around the time he got off work and we went to Nani Yeouido Branch (나니 여의도점). We are not big drinkers, but we like izakaya food, so we had dinner without alcohol that day as well. There was a wide range of dishes suitable for a meal, and the calm atmosphere made it easy for the two of us to have dinner.

Is it close to Yeouido Station, and is parking available?

It is on the third floor of the building you see right after leaving Yeouido Station Exit 3. Even during the evening commute, it was convenient to meet my husband and get there without walking far from the station. Building parking is available, and reservations can be made.

What are the seating and window-side atmosphere like for a conversation?

The restaurant had a calm atmosphere, with low lighting, wood finishes, and warm lights. Many seats were divided by curtains or partitions. They were not fully enclosed rooms, but sightlines to neighboring tables were naturally separated, making it comfortable for the two of us to talk over dinner.

The seats by the floor-to-ceiling windows especially caught my eye. The Yeouido cityscape spread out beyond the windows, and I could also watch lights come on one by one as the sun set. If you want a window-side table, I felt it would be best to check reservation availability before visiting.

What menu items are available for a meal?

The menu included assorted sashimi and individual sashimi, along with grilled dishes such as lamb shoulder rack, scallop cheese yaki (grilled dish), and mero yaki (grilled black cod). There were also à la carte dishes including perilla oil octopus pasta, cheddar cheese hamburger steak, and myeongran gyeranmari (pollock roe rolled omelet), as well as fried dishes, yakisoba, udon, and nabe (Japanese hot pot), giving diners a broad choice of meal options.

There was also a wide selection of sake. We ate only food, but there seemed to be plenty of options for choosing dishes alongside drinks.

What did we order, and how much did it cost?

We ordered three lamb shoulder rack ribs for ₩43,000 and seafood okonomiyaki for ₩29,000. Choosing one meat dish and one seafood dish let us alternate between different flavors.

What were the lamb ribs’ aroma and texture like?

The lamb came as three grilled ribs with large bones attached. The surface was nicely browned, with a lightly charred flavor, while the inside retained its juices and was not dry. The distinctive aroma I pay attention to when eating lamb did not feel strong.

On its own, it was clean-tasting and nutty. Dipping it generously in the accompanying spice blend added a fragrant, lightly spicy flavor.

The green sauce that came with it freshened up the rich taste of the lamb. Eating it plain or alternating the spice blend and sauce made it easy to enjoy without getting tired of it.

Did the seafood okonomiyaki go well with the lamb?

The seafood okonomiyaki came in a large portion that nearly filled the plate. It was piled high with katsuobushi (bonito flakes), with mayonnaise and a sweet-savory sauce for a familiar flavor.

Under the bonito flakes, the batter was lightly grilled on the outside and moist and soft inside. The chew of the seafood was joined by the savory depth of the sauce and the flavor of the bonito flakes.

After the nutty lamb, a bite of sweet and salty okonomiyaki did not overlap in flavor. I was pleased that the two of us could alternate between two different dishes for dinner.

How was it for a dinner date after work?

It was close to the station and worked well with a plan to walk around Yeouido before or after dinner. Around sunset, we could see the city’s night view from inside the restaurant as well. It did not feel burdensome to eat only food without drinks, and I liked being able to have dinner and talk together in seating with separated sightlines.