Busanjin bar for warm mackerel pressed sushi: 12.24 Seomyeon

This is 12.24 Seomyeon Branch (12.24 서면점), a five-minute walk from Jeonpo Station in Busan, near the former NC Department Store and Lee Jae-mo Pizza. I heard you can taste the cooking of a chef who worked at Swissôtel in Osaka. It also seemed great for anyone looking for a quiet bar in Jeonpo-dong to unwind after work, or a second-round spot to ease that little bit of regret after the first round.

Word is that everything from the clean, completely non-fishy mackerel pressed sushi to the generously textured futomaki is a hit. With its warm, atmospheric lighting, it was just right for solo drinking as well as chatting!

A comfortable interior for a second round in Jeonpo

This is the largest table, seating six. It felt as though the menu and layout had been carefully planned so that everyone—from guests deciding on a second stop in Jeonpo-dong to office workers enjoying a drink alone—could settle in comfortably.

I also liked that there was a space where you could eat while looking into the open kitchen. You can really feel what a neat, polished flavor is like here! The bar seats seem absolutely ideal for people looking for a quiet Jeonpo-dong bar after work. From the quiet music and traffic flow to the staff service, the overall operation felt steadily well put together.

There is also a separate coat rack, so it is convenient in lots of ways. It would be handy for hanging bulky winter clothes like padded jackets. The owner is thoughtful. The atmosphere feels like it is December 24 every day, haha, so it seems fitting for a date too. There is even a separate screen.

There was a place to charge your phone too, which was convenient!

They even provide single-use mouthwash, so you can feel the owner’s consideration and attention to detail. After meat dishes, your mouth can feel a bit heavy, you know,, so it seems perfect for finishing up fresh! It was clean and pleasant, with couples seeming to enjoy dates, and lots of guests sitting alone and slowly enjoying sashimi.

Izakaya dishes chosen by tablet

You can choose and order a range of dishes on the tablet! It is known for futomaki in Seomyeon, so the signature futomaki is something to look forward to as well.

There was also a large menu board out front. I heard the mackerel pressed sushi and futomaki are the dishes returning guests praise most. The sashimi, nabe (Japanese hot pot), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) are said to stick to the basics, with fresh ingredients and generous portions.

Mackerel pressed sushi with warm rice

I ordered the mackerel pressed sushi as soon as I got there, and they said it was available, so it was a meal dish I had been looking forward to! To my eye, it looked like the top of the mackerel had been lightly seared with a torch,, There were eight pieces, so it was nice to split four each,,! You can add uni (sea urchin), but we had it as is.

They told us to eat it quickly while the rice was still warm. How did they know I like wasabi and give us so much?

The mackerel pressed sushi was,,, really,,,,!! It worked well as a meal, tasted fresh without any fishiness, and was delicious. We ordered an Asahi beer too,,,, and enjoyed it nice and cold,, It is an izakaya with a Japanese feel.

It is heavenly with wasabi on top! Even after picking at just a few pieces, I was full,,,!

They served it neatly in a dumpling steamer(?), so the presentation catches your eye right away.

The unusual beef tartare shiitake mushroom tempura

Tempura with beef tartare and shiitake mushrooms—what an unusual combination,,!! Tempura is always tasty, though it was a liiittle rich. The plating looked lovely, great for photos too. They serve it with soy sauce for dipping,,!

The beef tartare is cooked, but you can still slightly see its original form,,! The batter was thin and crisp,,, and the meat juices flowed out, filling my mouth with savory flavor. I was happy to try a new dish,,!!

My thoughts after visiting

• Anyone looking for a quiet Jeonpo-dong bar or a second-round spot in Jeonpo will be satisfied by the neat bar snacks and atmosphere.
• I recommend it to anyone seeking mackerel pressed sushi in Jeonpo.
• I also highly recommend it as a great futomaki spot in Seomyeon.
• It is a good-value bar with a lovely atmosphere, so I highly recommend it for dates for people in their 20s and 30s too.
• The cold Asahi beer was delicious, and it is an izakaya where you can feel a Japanese atmosphere.
• The owner’s thoughtful touches, including the single-use mouthwash, stood out.