Guro izakaya with 15% off sake and a mixed sashimi platter: Hoyo Gudi

Hoyo Gudi Branch: an izakaya a minute from Guro Digital Complex Station Exit 3

I wanted a light drink after work, so I searched for a good izakaya near Guro Digital Complex and came across Hoyo Gudi Branch. It's close to Exit 3 of Guro Digital Complex Station, so it was easy to find and seemed like a good stop after clocking out.

When I got to the building, the big Hoyo sign made it easy to spot. There's a samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) place and a gym nearby too, so the sign catches your eye if you're just passing through.

The entrance window had several menu photos posted — everything from okonomiyaki to garlic shrimp to sirloin steak, illustrated so you could already start deciding what to order before even walking in.

By the door was a sign for a Suntory highball promotion. There was also a 'highball masters' poster, so I figured I had to try a highball here.

One side of the entrance had a restaurant hygiene grade 'Very Excellent' certificate posted. Since it's a dining space, that naturally caught my eye, and it gave off a sense of being kept clean.

Inside Hoyo Gudi Branch, and how the CatchTable waitlist works

Walking into Hoyo Gudi Branch, the Hoyo logo took up a big chunk of the wall, and with the wood-tone interior and warm lighting, the whole place felt relaxed. It felt like a good spot to have a drink and chat after work.

When there were no open seats, you could easily register on the CatchTable waitlist. Once your turn came up, you'd get a KakaoTalk notification, so you didn't have to keep waiting right in front of the store, which was convenient.

15% off sake with mixed sashimi: ordering from the tablet

Once seated, I checked the tablet menu and saw a promotion: 15% off all sake with a mixed sashimi order. Sashimi with sake sounded good, but that day I decided to keep it light with highballs instead.

After some deliberation, I first ordered the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, mixed sashimi, and two Jim Beam highballs. Watching the order status change to 'cooking' on the tablet screen slowly got me hungrier haha.

Jim Beam highballs and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki

The first thing to arrive was the two Jim Beam highballs. With a green grape and grapefruit base, there was a subtle, refreshing scent, and the carbonation made it nice and cool to drink. Maybe because it was the first sip after work, but one mouthful and my mood instantly lifted.

Right after, the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki arrived and I dug in. It was piled generously with finely chopped scallions and bonito flakes, with mayonnaise and sauce drizzled in a lattice pattern, so it looked quite appetizing too.

Cutting it into bite-sized pieces, I found soba noodles and cabbage layered inside — the soba had a slightly crisp texture while the cabbage was moist, and together they made a nice textural combo. With the bonito flavor on top, it made a great side dish for the highball.

How was the mixed sashimi platter? White fish, tuna and shrimp

Then the mixed sashimi I'd been waiting for arrived. White fish, tuna, shrimp, and abalone were all piled onto one plate, catching my eye the moment it hit the table. With so many varieties, it was fun to pick through each one.

I started with the white fish, sliced thick with a satisfying bite. Dipped lightly in soy sauce, it had a clean yet chewy texture that paired well with the highball. The soy sauce wasn't too salty either, so it didn't overpower the fish's flavor.

The tuna sashimi had a vivid red color with visible grain. It was soft in the mouth, and personally the tuna was the most memorable for me. A sip of highball followed by a piece of tuna turned out to be a great combo.

The shrimp sashimi had a distinctly springy texture. There was also a subtle sweetness, and dipping it lightly in soy sauce brought out the savory flavor even more.

I also tried the complimentary fried dish alongside the highball. The crispy batter with mayo and sauce on top kept me reaching for more. It had a different vibe from the sashimi, so it was a good bite to snack on in between.

Is Hoyo Gudi Branch worth it for an after-work drink?

Looking around the store, the round lighting fixtures and green-toned walls came together to create a relaxed atmosphere overall. Being able to try a range of dishes — okonomiyaki, sashimi, fried snacks — alongside a highball made this a solid spot for a drink after work.

If you're looking for a place near Guro Digital Complex to grab a casual drink and a meal, Hoyo Gudi Branch is worth a visit.