Jeonpo izakaya for Monday solo drinking and beef sashimi: 12.24

I visited '12.24 Seomyeon Branch,' a well-known restaurant and bar in Jeonpo. Hours are 17:00 - 02:00.

On a Monday evening, looking for somewhere to have a light solo drink, I went to '12.24 Seomyeon Branch,' an izakaya in Jeonpo-dong known for its great atmosphere and solid basics! I heard the owner used to work at the Swissôtel Osaka, so I went in with high expectations for the food quality 🍶✨

Where is 12.24 Seomyeon Branch, and why the bar seats suit solo drinkers

12.24 Seomyeon Branch is a 5-minute walk from Jeonpo Station in Busan (near the former NC Department Store and Ijae Mopiza). It has proper bar counter seating (dachiseok) and an open kitchen, making it suitable for solo drinking, a second stop, or group gatherings. Being close to the station makes it really accessible.

Walking in, I found warm, calm lighting and quiet music playing, which made the atmosphere feel really comfortable.

I especially loved that there's plenty of bar counter seating where solo diners like me can sit without feeling out of place. Since it's an open kitchen, you can even watch the chef cooking and the flashy fire shows — it's a feast for the eyes too! 🔥

Naver review and Instagram story perks at 12.24

12.24 Seomyeon Branch has various promotions posted on the tablet and on the wall, so I took some photos!

• Naver receipt review event: save/follow the Place listing, write a review, and get a free chicken karaage worth ₩5,500!
• Instagram event: follow the account and share a story to enter a 'no-loss' side dish draw!

If you visit, make sure to grab these solid perks 👍

Three complimentary sides and a Monday drink: Saero Omija

Once seated, three neat basic side dishes were set out. They were sweet potato sticks, fresh cabbage, and corn salad. The savory sweet potato sticks and crunchy cabbage kept my hands busy and put me in a good mood even before the main dish arrived.

Since it was a Monday and I wanted something light, I chose 'Saero Omija' for my drink! It was tangy-sweet yet clean, and paired perfectly with the solo-drinking side dishes 🍷

The 12.24 Seomyeon Branch menu, from sets to single dishes

Looking through the tablet and the outdoor menu board, I found not just à la carte items but incredibly good-value table set menus too!

• 7-item popular table set (2-3 people): motsunabe (offal hot pot) + 5 kinds of kushikatsu (fried skewers) + agedashi tofu + tsukune (chicken meatballs) + cucumber with mentaiko mayo + honey-butter corn + 5 pieces of salmon sashimi 👉 This is a crazy lineup — appetizers, hot pot, and sashimi in a full course for less than the price of two main dishes!
• 8-item signature assorted table set (3-5 people): assorted sashimi (or salmon + beef tartare sashimi) + motsunabe + 5 kinds of kushikatsu + tsukune + mochi tofu and more, 8 signature side dishes all in one! A great big-value set for group gatherings or company dinners.

What the single-dish categories cover

Beyond the sets, there's a solid lineup of authentic izakaya dishes by category.

• Signature dishes: assorted sashimi, hanwoo (Korean beef) yukhoe, mackerel pressed sushi, tuna futomaki (thick sushi roll), beef tataki, and more
• Soup dishes: tomato motsunabe, spicy chadolbagi jjamppong (thin-sliced beef spicy noodle soup), sukiyaki, sundubu mala soup, and more
• Fried items and kushikatsu: black pork karaage, king prawn tempura, various handmade fried skewers (kushikatsu)
• Sides: grilled mentaiko (pollock roe), dried persimmon cream cheese, chicken neck with wasabi soy, and other accompaniments

The menu is perfectly designed for ordering light à la carte dishes when drinking solo or as a second stop, and for enjoying a hearty table set with a group!

The main event: beef sashimi + yukhoe set, 40,000 won

After much deliberation, the main dish I ordered was the 'beef sashimi + yukhoe' set (₩40,000)! It came with fresh beef sashimi, yukhoe (raw beef) topped with an egg yolk, seaweed, sesame oil salt sauce, wasabi, radish sprouts, pickled radish, and ginger.

The meat freshness was truly excellent. Dipping the chewy beef sashimi lightly in the sesame oil sauce and eating it with seaweed and radish sprouts filled my mouth with savory flavor.

The yukhoe was just as good — popping the egg yolk and mixing it in exploded with umami flavor... I could really understand why the chef emphasizes the basics!

Tablet service at 12.24, right down to a blanket

At 12.24 Seomyeon Branch, you can call staff using the tablet. As I was eating, the restaurant felt quite cold (I had dressed a bit thin 😅), so I called staff using the tablet.

The tablet had detailed options for a blanket, wet wipes, and refills of sweet potato sticks/cabbage, so I could request things comfortably without having to flag down a staff member — I thought that was really thoughtful! Thanks to the blanket they kindly brought, I could keep enjoying the meal warmly.

Feeling good, I ordered another drink, 'Saero apricot,' for a sweet finish 🍑

Is 12.24 Seomyeon Branch worth it for solo drinking?

'12.24 Seomyeon Branch' is an izakaya that's understated but has strong fundamentals!

• High-quality side dishes from a chef who trained at Swissôtel Osaka
• Bar seating and a warm atmosphere that even solo drinkers can enjoy comfortably
• A well-balanced spot I'd highly recommend as a second-stop bar or for group drinking in Jeonpo

With delicious food and friendly service on top, my Monday solo drinking night was very successful. If you're looking for a good izakaya in Jeonpo-dong, stop by! 💕