Songpa izakaya lunch near Garak Market Station: Haru's hoedeopbap set

A few days ago I took my father out for a cozy, delicious lunch, just the two of us~

My parents recently moved closer to our place, so I get to see them much more often now, which makes me really happy. They can help out with the kids sometimes, and it's nice to have little dates with them and with my husband too.

Where is Haru Izakaya Garak Main Branch, and how late is lunch served?

This time my father and I went to 'Haru Izakaya Garak Main Branch,' located between Gyeongchal Byeongwon Station and Garak Market Station. It's an izakaya sitting in the Garak-dong restaurant alley.

<<Haru Izakaya Garak Main Branch>> · Hours: 11:00–24:00 (break time 14:00–17:00) · Lunch menu: Sashimi bibimbap (₩12,000), fish sushi set (₩15,500), egg roe rice set (₩13,800), and more · Other: separate men's/women's restrooms, parking available

At night this place transforms into a cozy, tidy bar serving handmade Japanese-style skewers, fresh sashimi, and various signature dishes, but during lunch hours (11:00–13:30) they serve incredibly good-value meal sets~

Inside Haru Izakaya: windows thrown wide open

The weather's been so crisp and lovely lately, right? When we arrived at Haru Izakaya Garak Main Branch, the windows were wide open and a cool breeze was drifting in, making it feel like eating on an outdoor terrace without any stuffiness — I was satisfied with the vibe from the entrance onward.

If you come in the evening, there are plenty of cozy seats, perfect for a date with a partner or drinks with coworkers.

The mini self-serve corner and chili peppers from the owner's own field

On one side of the store there was a small self-serve corner, neatly kept so you could easily add basic side dishes and sauces.

What especially caught my eye were the crunchy chili peppers that the owner said he grows himself in his own chili patch! Spicy yet fresh and crisp, they were a great side with meat or rice.

Hoedeopbap 12,000 won: a raw fish rice bowl that fills the plate

After some deliberation among the many lunch options, we ordered the 'sashimi bibimbap' (₩12,000) and the 'fish sushi set' (₩15,500). When the dishes arrived, both my father and I had our jaws drop at the portion sizes haha

First, my father's sashimi bibimbap was so generous it filled the entire large plate.

Along with fresh, thick-cut sashimi, it was loaded with vegetables and topped generously with a pretty rolled-egg garnish.

He drizzled on chogochujang (vinegared chili paste) to taste and mixed it all up — the sashimi had great texture and was so fresh that he finished the whole bowl feeling satisfied and full. I'd ordered a big dish planning to share, but he said the bibimbap alone was plenty for him, so I ended up overeating on my own ㅠ

Fish sushi set 15,500 won: 5 pieces of sushi, pork cutlet and full-size soba

The fish sushi set I ordered had a really generous composition! It came with a freshly fried, crispy piece of pork cutlet, 5 pieces of fresh sushi, and cold soba noodles.

Usually the soba that comes with set menus is served in a small, mini portion, right? But here it came in a full, regular size, which really surprised me.

The sushi had just the right amount of rice, and the sashimi on top was thick-cut and very fresh.

The handmade pork cutlet came fresh out of the fryer with crispy batter and really tender meat. The accompanying fruity cutlet sauce paired well with its refreshing tang.

The highlight was the cold soba noodles floating in a bit of icy slush — the deep, chilled broth chased away the heat completely and I couldn't put my chopsticks down haha

Trying to finish the sushi, pork cutlet, and soba all together meant the portion was truly massive, so I ended up unexpectedly overeating that day lol I had to skip dinner entirely out of consideration for my waistline! Even people with big appetites should feel completely full and satisfied with just this one fish sushi set.

What to check before visiting Haru Izakaya Garak Main Branch

Lunch orders at Haru near Gyeongchal Byeongwon Station in Garak-dong are only accepted from 11:00 to 13:30, so if you're heading there for a great-value lunch set, be sure to check the operating hours before you go!

It was a really rewarding day being able to treat my parents to a comfortable, delicious meal in such a cozy, tidy atmosphere. I'd recommend this place to anyone near Garak Market Station or Gyeongchal Byeongwon Station looking for a great-value lunch spot or a nice-atmosphere izakaya :)