Songpa bar with free potato salad starter and welcome drink: Jojomomo

I went back to Jojomomo, a Bangi bar I used to visit often when I lived in Jamsil.

There are so many bars in Bangi food alley, but there are always a few you end up going back to again and again. For me, Jojomomo is the place that comes to mind whenever I want a drink with great anju (drinking snacks).

This time too, there was a bit of a wait when I arrived — about 10 minutes before I got in. Inside, it was packed with people. It had been a while since my last visit, and seeing it still so popular made me strangely happy, haha.

Jojomomo / B1, 16 Ogeum-ro 11-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul / Seating: table and bar seats / Wait at visit: about 10 minutes / Ordered: pollock roe cheese potato jeon ₩19,000 / Ordered drink: signature nurungji dongdongju 1,000ml ₩12,000 (6% ABV)

Where is Jojomomo? A basement bar in Bangi food alley, Songpa

Jojomomo is a Korean-style bar in Bangi food alley. The address is B1, 16 Ogeum-ro 11-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, and heading down to the basement reveals a completely different atmosphere from the alley outside.

This was a place I used to come to often when I lived in Jamsil, so even the walk downstairs felt familiar and welcoming after all this time.

I couldn't get in right away this time — I waited about 10 minutes. Once inside, the place was packed with customers, which reminded me it's still a popular Jamsil bar.

Inside Jojomomo: antique furniture, warm lighting and music

Jojomomo has a hideout-like feel, with soft lighting and antique furniture. Rather than a polished, neat space, it has a slightly rugged, comfortable charm.

Big speakers and music are also a hallmark of this space. The coziness from the furniture and lighting, combined with the music and the energy of the customers, naturally puts you in the mood for a drink.

It was bustling again this time, so it suited a lively, cheerful drinking session more than a quiet, calm one.

Besides table seats, there are also bar seats. It's good for a date with two people, and also fine for sharing Korean anju with friends. The fact that there are even seats for drinking solo feels very on-brand for Jojomomo.

Free starter at Jojomomo: crackers, potato salad and a welcome drink

At Jojomomo, there's a basic anju I secretly look forward to. It's crackers topped with potato salad, and it's genuinely delicious, haha.

Piling soft, savory potato salad onto crisp crackers gives you a great texture combo. It's moister than crackers alone, and chewier and more fun than the salad alone.

It's not a fancy dish, but you keep reaching for it bite after bite. It's also great to nibble on while waiting for the anju you ordered.

Thinking back on why I used to come to Jojomomo so often, this little basic anju is part of it. Starting with something tasty puts you in a good mood for the whole session.

Pollock roe cheese potato jeon, 19,000 won: nutty, savory and rich

The anju I ordered this time was the pollock roe cheese potato jeon (pancake). It costs ₩19,000, and it's made with low-sodium pollock roe and natural cheese.

When you think of potato jeon, crispy texture usually comes to mind first, but this one has cheese added, giving it a moist, soft charm as well. The savoriness of the golden-browned parts and the soft texture inside come together nicely.

The mild potato flavor gets richer with the deep savoriness of the cheese, and the pollock roe adds a salty umami kick. It's like the pollock roe gives a punch of flavor to what would otherwise be a smoothly blended potato-and-cheese taste.

It's easy to share piece by piece, so it's a good anju to slowly enjoy with a drink. The familiar potato jeon gets a twist with pollock roe and cheese, and it fits right in as a menu item for a Korean-style bar.

Signature nurungji dongdongju, 1,000ml for 12,000 won at 6% ABV

The drink I ordered alongside the pollock roe cheese potato jeon was Jojomomo's signature nurungji dongdongju (scorched rice rice wine).

It's 1,000ml for ₩12,000, listed at 6% ABV. Said to be made with Jojomomo's own recipe, this savory, sweet dongdongju pairs really well with jeon.

The core flavor is the distinctive savory, roasted-grain taste of nurungji. There's sweetness added on top, so instead of leaving a heavy, savory aftertaste alone, it's smooth and easy to enjoy.

In the reviews I looked up before visiting, a lot of people mentioned the savory nurungji aroma and sweet taste. If you like a roasted-grain flavor, this signature drink is worth trying.

How the potato jeon and nurungji dongdongju taste together

Jeon and dongdongju is a classic combo, but pairing the pollock roe and cheese potato jeon with nurungji dongdongju let me enjoy savory flavors in different ways.

The jeon side centers on the cheese's savoriness and the pollock roe's saltiness, while the dongdongju side centers on nurungji's savory, roasted taste and sweetness — and the two sides go well together.

It's nice to share it piece by piece with a drink, and I liked how naturally things flowed from the basic anju through to the main dish. If you're deciding what anju and drink to get at Jojomomo, this pairing is worth considering.

Is Jojomomo worth a return visit in Bangi-dong?

Coming back to a place I used to visit often when I lived in Jamsil brought a familiar sense of comfort. After a roughly 10-minute wait, the place inside was still packed with customers, and Jojomomo's signature mix of furniture, lighting, and music was still perfect for a drink.

From the cracker starter I love every time, to the pollock roe cheese potato jeon, to the nurungji dongdongju — this is a Bangi bar that comes to mind whenever I want to sit comfortably and share some Korean anju.

If you're looking for a place for a date or a drink with friends in Bangi food alley, check out Jojomomo, where you can enjoy the atmosphere and the anju together. For me, it remains a Jamsil bar that's always welcoming to come back to. ♡