Suyeong-gu, Busan bar for cheese octopus fried rice: Dari Yeodeolgae

I went back to Dari Yeodeolgae (다리여덟개), a favorite near Suyeong Station.

Hours: 15:30–23:00 (Friday and Saturday until 24:00)

Why I went back to Dari Yeodeolgae, the Busan bar that changed my mind about octopus

Honestly, I usually don't enjoy octopus or squid much because of the chewy texture of these cephalopods. But Dari Yeodeolgae near Suyeong Station completely smashed my assumptions — "octopus can actually be this soft and sweet!" — so this time I came back without a second thought.

It used to be a famous spot at the Jwadong traditional market in Haeundae, beloved by regulars for over 20 years since 2003, but it recently relocated to Suyeong. Twenty years of know-how doesn't disappear — even after the move, that deep, seasoned flavor came through just the same.

What surprised me was that the moment I stepped in, the owner said, "This isn't your first visit, is it?" and recognized me right away! Even with so many customers coming through, that thoughtfulness of remembering each guest made me feel warm and welcome from the very start.

Inside Dari Yeodeolgae: counter seats and what time daytime drinking starts

Step inside Dari Yeodeolgae and the cute, detailed interior stands out. You can tell a lot of care went into every light fixture and decoration — it has a really cozy feel overall.

• The charm of the bar (daji) seats: there's bar seating perfect for solo drinking or a quiet chat between two people. Sitting at the bar makes for a really nice, calm drink.
• A trustworthy open kitchen: the kitchen is fully visible from the seats, so you can check the ingredients and cooking process yourself, which builds even more trust.

Overall it's not a loud, chaotic bar but a place where you can focus on conversation with good people while enjoying great food — perfect for a date or a proper gathering. And since it opens at 3:30pm, it's the perfect hideout for anyone looking for atmospheric daytime drinks near Suyeong Station.

Corkage info: for the drinkers out there, they offer corkage (₩20,000 per bottle for whiskey/wine, ₩10,000 from the second bottle).

The free side dishes that come before the octopus

Once you sit down and order, a basic spread is set out — and it's generous enough that you could easily finish a bottle of soju before the main dish even arrives.

• Dried filefish you cut yourself: a palm-sized piece of dried filefish comes out, and it's fun to snip it up with scissors yourself and dip it in mayonnaise.
• Clam soup that settles your stomach: a cool, spicy-tangy broth that warms you right up.

Other side dishes: nicely seasoned braised konjac, mushrooms and quail eggs, comforting stir-fried fish cake, and fresh vegetable sticks are all served neatly. Pair them with mayonnaise, ssamjang (seasoned soybean paste), or chojang (vinegar-chili sauce) to taste, and before you know it, your main dish is ready.

Sliced boiled octopus, small, 40,000 won: boiled to order from the tank

On my first visit, worried the octopus might not be good, I played it safe and ordered the spicy octopus and pork platter. But I fell so hard for the octopus flavor that this time I went straight for the octopus sashimi (small, ₩40,000)!

The difference of a live octopus: the octopus for the spicy pork platter is pre-boiled, but for the octopus sashimi order, they take a live octopus straight from the tank and boil it right when you order.

Just-right boiling and flavor by cut: fresh out of the pot, the octopus sashimi is unbelievably tender. The owner slices it by section, cutting with the grain, and the octopus alone — no meat needed — had double the flavor.

Octopus innards, the signature bite at Dari Yeodeolgae near Suyeong Station

When the sashimi comes out, the owner gives a tip for the special treat: "Cut the innards with the filefish scissors and eat them right away while they're warm!"

The moment that warm bite hits, a savory richness spreads through your mouth... There's no fishiness at all, just pure savory goodness — truly a delicacy.

Cheese octopus fried rice for two, 13,000 won: the perfect finish

After clearing the sashimi, it was time for the essential carb course. Octopus fried rice for two (₩13,000)! The portion is very generous!

Overwhelming aroma: the moment it hits the table, a savory, spicy-sweet smell hits your nose.

A fantastic pairing of cheese and octopus: there's cheese hidden inside the rice, so it stretches every time you scoop with a spoon. Chewy bits of octopus, soft melted cheese, and a spicy seasoning that clings to your lips — even full, I couldn't put the spoon down.

Tips for visiting Dari Yeodeolgae and the verdict

A small event: leave a Naver receipt review or an Instagram post/story tag and you'll get a free highball per table — definitely worth doing.

If you want to taste octopus at its freshest and most authentic, or you're looking for a quiet spot near Suyeong Station to chat over top-notch side dishes and a daytime drink, I confidently recommend Dari Yeodeolgae near Suyeong Station!