Seocho izakaya motsunabe hotpot and grilled toothfish: Gobusi Nonhyeon

Where is Gobusi Nonhyeon Branch? A quiet alley between Sinsa and Nonhyeon stations

Gobusi Nonhyeon Branch is an izakaya tucked into a quiet alley between Sinsa and Nonhyeon stations. Looking for a bar with a good atmosphere in Gangnam near Sinsa Station, I passed by this alley and found Gobusi Nonhyeon Branch, which looked like an absolute vibe from the outside. It wasn't a loud, crowded alley at all — it sat in a relatively quiet and cozy spot, so I could walk in without any hesitation. I really liked the calm mood.

And you know how a bar needs slightly dim lighting to really get you in the drinking mood? Once inside, 80s–90s style city pop music plays naturally in the background, making it a perfect spot not just for dates or blind dates but also for quiet company dinners or group gatherings.

Gobusi Nonhyeon Branch hours, parking and the corkage-free deal

• Hours: Mon–Thu, Sat 17:00–00:50 / last order 23:50; Friday 17:00–01:50 / last order 00:50
• Parking: Available on the right side of the shop, and if it's full the owner will let you know about other options

As a weekday event, if you're seated before 6pm Monday through Thursday, corkage is free for one bottle — worth keeping in mind.

At this Nonhyeon Station bar, saving the post or writing a review gets you one glass of sawa (a non-alcoholic option is also available) or 10% off the entire menu — good to know.

Atmosphere and seating at 7pm on a weekday

Even though I visited around 7pm on a weekday, the place — with 40 seats total — already had group customers, plus quite a few people there with friends or on dates, and there were outdoor tables with an al fresco feel. With the cooler weather these days, a lot of people seemed to be claiming those spots early.

Further inside, there's a row of connected 4-person and 2-person tables, plus solo-drinking tables, so you can tell just from the photos that it suits solo drinkers, dates, friend gatherings, and company dinners alike.

I was seated at a 2-person table in a corner inside, which was just the right spot for chatting comfortably without pressure. I spent a relaxed time there enjoying the popular motsunabe and grilled toothfish, along with some Japanese sake, without worrying about anyone around.

What we ordered: spicy motsunabe, grilled toothfish and Japanese sake

Since this Nonhyeon Station izakaya is known for its motsunabe, we ordered the signature motsunabe spicy as soon as we sat down, along with grilled toothfish and drinks to go with it.

As soon as we sat down, they brought over braised quail eggs and drinks right away.

It was nice how quickly they set the table up like this, so we sipped on some sweet Japanese sake while waiting.

The staff cooks the motsunabe for you at the table, so all you have to do is sit back, wait, and eat — very convenient.

Korean beef intestine motsunabe with a deep, rich broth

First, the motsunabe packed with Korean beef large intestine had a truly deep broth — clean with zero off smell, and as it simmered, the savory richness of the intestine steeped further into the broth, so my spoon just wouldn't stop, haha. Unlike a lot of izakayas that skimp on portions, the amount here was generous, plenty for sharing among several people.

Grilled toothfish: crisp outside, juicy inside, perfect with Japanese sake

Next, the grilled toothfish came out right away — the outside was crispy and nicely browned, while the flesh inside melted in my mouth the moment I took a bite, so moist and tender. The salty yet clean flavor paired so well with the Japanese sake I was drinking that I immediately thought there couldn't be a better pairing.

After eating the motsunabe and grilled toothfish, I was surprised at how much food this Nonhyeon Station bar gives you even for two people — usually when you order a side dish at a bar you get a tiny portion, but here everything came in generous amounts, which was both surprising and delicious.

With such generous portions and good quality, it felt like a great spot to settle into for a full first round of drinks in one seat. If you're looking for a reliable, atmospheric spot for good food and drinks near Sinsa or Nonhyeon station in Gangnam, definitely give Gobusi Nonhyeon Branch a visit!