Jeonpo izakaya in Busan for crispy fried chicken thigh: 12.24 Seomyeon

My friend and I were looking for somewhere to eat dinner in Jeonpo that wasn't too loud, had a nice atmosphere, was popular, and only served food that actually tastes good — and 12.24, which I'd saved a while back, came to mind, so we went.

Writing this up for anyone looking for a second-round Jeonpo bar or an izakaya where solo drinking is fine. I had such a good meal I'm already planning to go back!!

Where is 12.24 Seomyeon Branch, and what are the hours?

12.24 Seomyeon Branch is on the 1st floor at 225 Jeonpo-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan, open from 17:00 to 2:00 the next day. Parking is available in the same building's paid lot (Gyeongmu Building).

It's a 3-minute walk from Jeonpo Station Exit 7, or about 10 minutes from Seomyeon Station Exit 6. It's near the old NC Department Store and Lee Jae Mo Pizza, so it wasn't hard to find. (I walked over from Seomyeon Station haha.)

Menu and prices at 12.24, a Jeonpo izakaya

The chef at 12.24 Seomyeon Branch apparently trained at the Swissotel Osaka. The core izakaya lineup — sashimi, nabe, kushikatsu — was all solidly there. There were so many menu items, but I heard the mackerel pressed sushi and futomaki are the signature dishes that return customers order most.

Let me jot down a few of 12.24's signature dishes.

• Salmon + hanwoo yukhoe sashimi ₩39,000
• Sashimi for two ₩35,000
• Mackerel pressed sushi ₩23,000
• Tomato motsunabe ₩25,000
• Beef brisket and mung bean sprout stir-fry ₩21,000
• Fried chicken thigh (2pcs) ₩4,500

The set menus were also divided into 2-3 person and 3-5 person sizes, which looked convenient for ordering based on group size. Beyond that, there were kushikatsu sets, fried dishes, okonomiyaki — such a wide range it was fun just choosing. The drinks menu was pretty varied too.

Since they sell kushikatsu, I figured they'd be good at fried food, so we ordered that. I love mackerel pressed sushi and my friend had never tried it, so we got that too. And my friend wanted the beef brisket and mung bean sprout stir-fry, so we ordered that as well.

Inside 12.24 Seomyeon Branch: atmosphere and seating

Inside, 12.24 Seomyeon Branch had a slightly Christmas-y feel while staying calm and neatly put together.

The seating was generous, so it looked good for groups too — there are bar seats, plenty of tables for four, and even group seating, so you could come comfortably no matter the headcount. The lighting was warm without being too dim, so it also seemed like a nice spot to sit alone and slowly enjoy sashimi.

I visited on a weekend evening, and it seemed like people were there for wedding invitation gatherings, Jeonpo dates, and friend meetups too!

The three side dishes served at 12.24

The side dishes were cabbage topped with a soy sauce dressing, corn mixed with mayo sauce, and sweet potato chips — all three were so good!!! My friend loved the corn one. I liked the sweet potato chips best haha.

Beef brisket and mung bean sprout stir-fry, 21,000 won: spicy and generous

The beef brisket and mung bean sprout stir-fry and the fried chicken thigh came out first. The stir-fry really had generous ingredients.

There was plenty of meat and sprouts, and thanks to the chili it had a spicy kick that made me think of rice.

It seemed like a perfect side for soju, and the bold flavor was exactly my type.

With so many crunchy bean sprouts and a generous load of garlic flakes on top, there wasn't a single dull bite.

Fried chicken thigh, 2 pcs for 4,500 won: crisp outside, juicy inside

The fried chicken thigh at 12.24 Seomyeon Branch was genuinely shocking. It looked golden brown and crispy, and it really was crispy on the outside when I bit in,

while the inside was so juicy — I'd totally recommend this one. Can you see the juices????

This was my number one. Next time I want to order a beer and properly work through the kushikatsu.

Mackerel pressed sushi, 23,000 won for 8 pieces

The mackerel pressed sushi comes in 8 pieces, and you could see the plump mackerel right from the cross-section. The outside was lightly seared while the inside stayed firm and springy — such a great texture — and it paired really well with wasabi.

My friend said this was her number one — it was her first time trying it and she loved it so much I felt proud!!! The ratio of rice to mackerel was the golden ratio too >,,<

Is 12.24 Seomyeon Branch worth a visit? Final verdict

All three dishes had their own distinct charm, so I'd highly recommend all three — and if these were all this good, the rest of the menu is probably just as good, which makes me want to come back!!! We left chatting about coming again, and I'd recommend 12.24 Seomyeon Branch to anyone deciding on a second-round spot in Jeonpo, or looking for a Seomyeon izakaya good for solo drinking or a date.

Genuinely the best~

Who will enjoy 12.24 Seomyeon Branch most?

• Anyone looking for a good restaurant or bar in Jeonpo
• Anyone looking for a Jeonpo bar or izakaya
• Anyone deciding where to eat or drink in Jeonpo-dong
• Anyone looking for a second-round or group bar in Jeonpo
• Anyone looking for an izakaya good for solo drinking