Gangnam izakaya for anniversary pasta near Sinnonhyeon: Goko

Back at Izakaya Goko for an anniversary date

On a night when my husband and I wanted an anniversary date, we wondered where to go and said, “Should we go back to that place we went to last time?” So we returned to Izakaya Goko Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch (이자카야 고코 강남신논현점). It is just perfect for days when you want that anniversary feeling, haha. We remembered how delicious it had been last time!

It is less than a five-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station, so accessibility-wise, it is seriously so good!

The first thing you see is the cozy, Japanese-inspired atmosphere and spacious interior. Pure good vibes! With tables, counter seats, and even partitioned seating, the layout works for dates and group get-togethers alike.

A great Gangnam–Sinnonhyeon date spot / Izakaya Goko

The soft lighting makes it easy to talk and sets the mood nicely. It is casual but full of youthful energy, making it just right for a date or a blind date.

It is not super quiet, but rather than awkward silence, you get the lively energy of Gangnam office workers, haha.

We visited around 7 p.m. on a weekday, and it was busy, so I think booking ahead would be a good idea!

Izakaya Goko location and hours

• 2F, Banseok Building, 21 Bongeunsa-ro 2-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Yeoksam-dong)
• Mon–Fri 17:00–02:00 / Sat–Sun 16:30–02:00
• Last order: 00:00
• Located between Gangnam and Sinnonhyeon stations; self-order via kiosk
• Partitioned seating and window tables available; suitable for group gatherings and work dinners

What we ordered and prices

The menu items we ordered were Goko sashimi for two, Full Moon tsukune (chicken meatball), and Nagasaki nabe (Japanese hot pot).

• Goko aged sashimi ₩45,000 / large olive flounder shio-samhab ₩35,000
• Goko seven-piece yakitori ₩25,000 / Full Moon tsukune ₩6,000 / cheese tsukune ₩6,500
• Fukuoka-style mizutaki ₩30,000 / Kansai oden nabe, spicy seafood nabe, and Nagasaki nabe ₩26,000 each
• Futomaki ₩30,000 / spinach pasta ₩21,000 / saba bozushi ₩27,000 / goma saba ₩25,000

We ordered cold beer and Canada Dry ginger ale tonic—drinks that would go wonderfully with fried food, pasta, and sashimi too!

Crispy and juicy kaki fry

The kaki fry (fried oysters) was ₩17,000. Just looking at that golden, crispy exterior made my mouth water! The savory scent of the batter and a gentle oyster aroma come up together. Take a bite and the outside is crisp while the plump oysters inside stay juicy.

That briny oyster juice, ahh~ Alternating bites with a highball made the drinks go down so easily. My husband loves oysters, so I think he ate more than half of these by himself, haha.

If you love fried oysters or are looking for a crispy bar snack, this is definitely worth trying. The sauce is like the tangy pickle-filled sauce served with fish cutlets, and it is delicious. The vegetable salad and fried shishito peppers balanced the oysters so well too, haha. Fried oysters are not something you get to eat all the time, so this was a complete success 💛

Clean, no-fishiness goma saba

The goma saba (Japanese-style vinegar-cured mackerel sashimi) was ₩25,000. The glossy mackerel arrived neatly arranged, with a subtle blend of tangy vinegar and sesame oil aromas.

The first bite has a tangy, lightly salty balance. It is chewy yet goes down softly. It was cured so cleanly without even a hint of fishiness that even people who do not like mackerel could enjoy it comfortably. In the middle is peanut sauce! That changes up the flavor again. The mackerel sashimi itself has its own gentle aroma, so even on its own it is not simple—it has such deep flavor, I guess? The sashimi quality is so good... No need to go all the way to Jeju~~

Recommended for sashimi lovers and mackerel lovers!! It looks so good too!

Spinach pasta at an izakaya

The spinach pasta was ₩21,000. We ordered it because we wanted to try a pasta we had not had before. The green sauce covered the plate beautifully. Up close, the distinctive gentle scent of spinach rose softly.

The first bite is creamy yet not salty, and rather mild. The cheese flavor is lovely; it almost tastes like mushroom cheese cream, and it is delicious!! A success, haha. The noodles are chewy and evenly coated in sauce.

There is plenty of cheese, shrimp, bacon, and mushrooms, and it is even more delicious piled on garlic bread. Haha.

If you like creamy pasta or want a different kind of izakaya dish, this will totally be your thing. This izakaya does pasta well too~~ (And honestly, drinks go so well with pasta anyway, haha.)

Izakaya Goko, full of Japanese vibes~ It was so lovely to return too, haha.

Good-vibes Sinnonhyeon Station, full of Japanese charm / Izakaya Goko

This visit reminded me once again that it is a place where neither the atmosphere nor the menu gets old, even when you come back. With its lively, casual mood, it is an izakaya that is easy to visit for dates or blind dates. If you are looking for an izakaya with a great atmosphere between Gangnam and Sinnonhyeon stations, I would recommend Izakaya Goko Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch again.

Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 6.