Daegu Japanese bar for motsunabe on a rainy night: Gyodong Nakwon

Where Gyodong Nakwon is and when it's open

• Location: 627 Gukchaebosang-ro, 1F, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea (next to Melting Point)
• Hours: 18:00 - 02:00
• Parking available

Hi, this is Jju!

Today I'm covering Gyodong Nakwon, one of the hottest izakaya bars in Gyodong, Daegu right now. Nakwon is famous for its delicious food pairings — haha, the izakaya vibe and the great side dishes really pull people in, so even on a weekday the place was packed! Let's get into the details :)

Gyodong Nakwon sits right on the main road rather than tucked inside Gyodong, so it's actually pretty easy to find!

An exterior that feels like Japan

Here it is — Gyodong Nakwon izakaya! Just looking at it from the outside gives you the feeling of actually being in Japan, haha. Gyodong itself is an area packed with bars, so comparisons are inevitable, but Nakwon stood out for feeling clean and cozy, which made the first visit less intimidating.

You can preview the tasty-looking signature dishes in photos right at the entrance.

Interior seating — good for groups or solo drinking

Even though it's an izakaya, it also works well as a group bar in Gyodong since you can push tables together! The mix of bar tables and regular seating also makes it feel comfortable for solo drinking.

Total Japan vibes right here.

The menu — motsunabe and crab tomalley pasta

Nakwon's most famous dish is the motsunabe (beef intestine hot pot)! You can adjust the spice level, and partway through you can add noodles, so it's tasty and filling — the best, haha. And then there's the best-selling crab tomalley pasta!! If you visit Nakwon, you have to try the crab tomalley pasta — it's rich and perfect as a drinking snack.

The drink selection includes sake, highballs, traditional Korean liquor, and more, which I loved. When you're at a Gyodong spot known for great food, it's more fun to branch out beyond the usual soju and beer and try different drinks alongside the meal, haha.

Medium-spice motsunabe, spicy comfort on a rainy day

First up, the motsunabe I ordered!! The portion was bigger than expected and the visuals alone were impressive. Since it's a soup-based dish, it works great on cold days or late-night visits, and it was satisfyingly filling even as a drinking snack. If you're looking for a Gyodong izakaya with great food, this dish alone is enough to satisfy.

I ordered it medium-spice and the heat level was just right. It happened to be raining at the time too, so the spicy kick made the motsunabe taste even better.

True to a real Gyodong favorite, paired with beer it just goes down so smoothly.

How does the crab tomalley pasta taste?

I ordered it alongside the best-selling crab tomalley pasta, and the combination of the two was great.

Since it's a crab tomalley pasta, it had that rich, dense flavor along with plenty of springy shrimp mixed in!! With so many ingredients packed in, it had a genuinely upscale taste.

Nakwon's crab tomalley pasta is cream-based, so it's soft and rich without being heavy, and the crab tomalley flavor comes through strongly, which made it even better. One bite and the umami just exploded, haha.

The meeting of pasta and crab tomalley...!! The noodles were also springy and chewy — a real Gyodong favorite, confirmed!!!!

Add the ₩2,000 noodles for guaranteed fullness

I added noodles to my motsunabe for ₩2,000, and it really filled me up and was so satisfying! The motsunabe already had a ton of ingredients and beef intestine inside, so I was full.

Overall thoughts

This was such a delicious visit to Gyodong Nakwon izakaya. It's a Gyodong bar that has it all — atmosphere, accessibility, and great food. In particular, the combination of the signature motsunabe and crab tomalley pasta was so satisfying that it makes me want to come back. A real favorite I've visited more times than I can count in Gyodong, Daegu!! Highly recommend!!