Cheongju patio izakaya with black pepper karaage and udon: Sutori

Hi everyone, it's Sukkang! Today I visited a must-try bar in Bongmyeong-dong, Cheongju — an izakaya with amazing handmade snacks and a great atmosphere, "Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch"!

• Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 18:00–03:00 (last order 02:00)
• Closed every Tuesday
• Groups, reservations, and parking available

Where is Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch, and what is it like inside?

"Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch" sits right in the middle of Bongmyeong-dong's food alley in Cheongju, so it was easy to find! From the entrance alone, you could already feel that distinctive Japanese izakaya vibe and style✨

Stepping inside, the interior caught my eye immediately — it felt like a genuine Japanese izakaya had been transplanted here👀 The space was much bigger than I expected, and the tables were spaced comfortably, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed drink!

Counter seats for solo drinkers and outdoor patio tables at Sutori

They had everything from counter seats perfect for drinking solo or on a date, to atmospheric outdoor terrace tables! The weather was so nice and cool the day we visited that we headed straight for a terrace table outside. Enjoying delicious snacks with the breeze made the whole experience feel even more special✨

What to order at Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch

Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch has such a wide range of snacks — from their signature charcoal-grilled yakitori to hot soups and specialty dishes — that it was genuinely fun picking based on our mood! They also had good-value set menus.

After much deliberation, we went with the shop's signature favorites👏🏻 We ordered the black pepper karaage with its addictive sweet-and-salty sauce and spicy pepper kick, the beef brisket seafood udon loaded with smoky beef brisket and fresh seafood in a spicy, tangy broth, and — a Sutori must — the yakitori chicken thigh skewers (2p), chewy and packed with savory juice!

Even the basic side dishes — crispy shrimp chips and crunchy cabbage salad — were exactly my type! The cute Japanese-style plates, character-printed glasses, and coasters made me happy just looking at them✨

How were the yakitori chicken rump skewers (2p)?

Once all the dishes arrived, the table was completely full — the visuals alone were overwhelming! Golden-grilled signature thigh skewers, crispy-looking black pepper karaage, and a big bowl of red-broth beef brisket seafood udon loaded with seafood — just looking at it made me hungry👏🏻

The yakitori thigh skewers, full of charcoal aroma, had a chewy texture and burst with savory juice with every bite👍🏻

They were already delicious plain — salty and savory — but dipping them in the mayonnaise that came alongside added a smooth richness that made them even better!

Is the black pepper karaage a good beer snack?

The black pepper karaage was also an absolute winner! Crispy outside, juicy inside, coated evenly in a salty-sweet special sauce that instantly grabbed my taste buds! The spicy kick of black pepper burst with every bite, cutting through the greasiness typical of fried food and keeping it clean to eat till the last piece✨

The combination of crispy texture and spicy-sweet pepper flavor was perfect — ideal as a beer snack🍻

Beef brisket seafood udon: a late-night hangover fix

The beef brisket seafood udon came in a big bowl generously loaded with beef brisket, blue crab, and seafood — impressively hearty just to look at🙌🏻 The savory brisket flavor and fresh seafood created a deep, spicy, tangy broth that felt like it could clear your head completely!

The chewy udon noodles soaked up the spicy tangy broth beautifully, making this the perfect dish both as a drinking snack and as a hangover cure!

Kushikatsu, the deep-fried skewers we added last

Feeling like we hadn't had quite enough, we greedily ordered kushikatsu (skewered fried pork) to finish!

Fresh out of the fryer, the crispy batter paired perfectly with the juicy filling inside — the perfect way to close out the meal👏🏻

Final verdict on Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch

Delicious snacks, that distinctive Japanese sensibility, and an atmospheric terrace — "Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch" nailed all of it as a must-try bar in Bongmyeong-dong, Cheongju! I fell for the vibe and then fell twice more for the taste, so if you're looking for a great bar or snack spot in the Bongmyeong-dong food alley, I highly recommend a visit!