Wangsimni gastropub for citron wine and duck pancake: Ari Gyegok
In short
Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch is a large mountain-lodge-themed Korean gastropub in Seongdong, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Wangsimni Station. On a weekday evening the muddy duck pancake (₩19,900) and aged kimchi fried rice (₩6,900) were paired with Gohung citron wine, a traditional Korean liquor, and the rich duck with the bright citron worked so well the bottle was refilled. Ari Gyegok has no parking, but for a Wangsimni drinking course where the food matters too, it is worth a return visit.
Good to know
- Location
- 1st–2nd floor, 14 Majo-ro 3-ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
- Walk
- 4 min from Wangsimni Station Exit 6, 5 min from Hanyang University Station Exit 1
- Hours
- Daily 4:30 PM–2 AM
- Last order
- 1 AM daily
- Muddy duck pancake
- ₩19,900 (limited quantity)
- Aged kimchi fried rice
- ₩6,900
- Budget per person
- ₩20,000–30,000
- Parking
- Not available
- Reservations
- Available by phone
- Corkage
- Available for a fee
- Wait time
- Almost none
- Price reference
- ₩19,900 ≈ $15 · ₩6,900 ≈ $5.1 · ₩20,000 ≈ $15 (2026-09-15)
as written by the visitor on Sep 14, 2026
What kind of bar is Ari Gyegok in Wangsimni?
I was looking for a good spot for a drink in Wangsimni and ended up at Ari Gyegok Hanyang University Branch. It's about a 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Wangsimni Station, and since it's a big place, it wasn't hard to find.
The inside is decorated like a mountain lodge, so even right in the middle of the city it felt like I'd gone somewhere on a trip. It was a weekday evening but still pretty busy, with that lively drinking-spot energy.
Where is Ari Gyegok and what are the hours?
14 Majo-ro 3-gagil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 5-minute walk from Hanyang University Station Exit 1
- 4-minute walk from Wangsimni Station Exit 6
- Opens daily at 4:30 PM, open until 2 AM the next day!
- Last order at 1 AM every day ~~~
- No parking, ugh
- They pick up the phone right away, reservations possible by phone
- Corkage possible if you pay for it!
- Almost no waiting
Who is Ari Gyegok best for?
- Second date ✔
- Post-blind-date follow-up ✔
- Friend gatherings ✔
- Parents ✘
- Solo dining ✘
I actually saw a couple at the next table who'd come here for a second date after a blind date. Budget runs ₩20,000–30,000 per person. Good for when you want tasty snacks and a drink with a friend, no fuss.
Muddy duck pancake, ₩19,900: how did it taste?
That day I ordered the muddy duck pancake for ₩19,900. It said limited availability, so my expectations were already up before it even arrived, and the second it hit the table, the visuals grabbed my attention. The outside was fried golden and crispy, and inside was packed with thick chunks of duck meat.
Biting into the crust, there was a satisfying crackle of crispiness, followed by the duck meat, tender to chew. The duck itself wasn't dry at all — the juices were still there, so every bite felt moist, and it was clean with no gamey smell to worry about.
Wrapping it in the cabbage salad that came alongside made it feel almost like eating a taco. Crispy pancake shell, tender duck, crunchy cabbage, and a sweet-and-sour sauce all coming together — the texture and flavor layered up in a single bite. The salty, sweet, and tangy notes were well balanced, so I kept reaching for more, and it worked equally well as a drinking snack or just eaten on its own.
That said, the portion isn't huge, so it's better thought of as an impactful centerpiece dish rather than something to fill you up.
Gohung citron wine: is it easy to drink for lightweights?
My love... Gohung Citron Wine ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I can't live without you~~~~~~ (( I'm a lightweight, so...)) haha If you like a wine that actually tastes good, you'll probably love this too!
I'd heard their traditional rice wine lineup was solid so I got curious and ordered it — the second it hit the glass, that distinct bright citron scent spread everywhere. On the first sip it's fresh and sweet, but the finish leaves a faint pleasant bitterness typical of citron, so it doesn't end up cloyingly sweet.
The alcohol content wasn't intimidating, so I think even lightweight drinkers could handle it comfortably, and paired with the salty, greasy muddy duck pancake, it felt like it cleaned the palate right up — a great match.
Drinking it cold doubled the refreshing feeling, and I imagine it'd work well on a slightly chilly day too, warming you up from the inside rather than just in summer — it seemed like it'd suit any season. The balance between alcohol level and sweetness was so good that one or two glasses felt like not enough, so I ended up getting a refill.
The full course: duck pancake, aged kimchi fried rice and citron wine
Overall, the crispy, juicy muddy duck pancake, the savory, deep flavor of the aged kimchi fried rice, and the fresh, clean Gohung Citron Wine came together into a satisfying spread. All three had a distinct character of their own, yet none clashed — they flowed naturally into each other, making it fun to eat like a course meal.
The salty, greasy snack, the savory, mellow rice, and the refreshing wine took turns hitting my palate with something new each time, so there was never a dull moment. If you want to build a drinking course in Wangsimni that also delivers on food quality, Ari Gyegok Hanyang University Branch is definitely a place I'd go back to.
We also ordered the aged kimchi fried rice for ₩6,900. Cleared every single plate we ordered~! Yahoo haha hehehe ha ha ha ha ha, it was so good, ugh. You have to try the duck pancake, seriously, ugh.
One downside is that they don't sell ramyeon here, so my friend and I went to a convenience store afterward for Yeol Ramyeon and washed it down with banana milk, haha.
Ari Gyegok Wangsimni: pros and cons
- Pro ✔ Friendly staff
- Pro ✔ Fast food delivery to table
- Pro ✔ Great interior
- Pro ✔ Very photogenic
- Con: No parking
Going back again for the Gohung Citron Wine + duck pancake
Where it is
14 Majo-ro 3-gagil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 1st–2nd floor서울특별시 성동구 마조로3가길 14 1~2층
