College reunion at a Times Square Yeongdeungpo izakaya: Nani Byeolgwan

Today I'm introducing a room izakaya that's great for round two in Yeongdeungpo — Nani Byeolgwan. It had been a while since I'd gathered with my college friends, and while looking for somewhere we could talk quietly, we ended up here!! Bottom line up front: you can reserve a room through Naver Reservations, so it was perfect for having a cozy chat. Let's get into it!!

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch hours and location

• Hours: 6 PM to 2 AM (closed Sundays)
• Address: 183 Munnae-ro, 1st floor, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Group seating: available
• Parking: public lot 2 minutes on foot

The exterior: 2 minutes on foot from Times Square

Nani Byeolgwan is near Times Square by Yeongdeungpo Station. Right out front, about a 2-minute walk?

It's a busy area, so it's an easy move for round two after round one. If you're looking for a Yeongdeungpo izakaya where you can actually talk quietly, this is the one!

Menu and prices of the dishes ordered

The menu ranges from yakitori skewers to cream dishes to hot pots — really varied. Here's what we ordered that day.

• Pork belly scallion skewers ₩15,000
• Daechang skewers ₩12,000
• Lemon cream shrimp ₩26,000
• Bacon cream tteokbokki ₩28,000

Skewers are the main event here, so it's a great spot to enjoy Yeongdeungpo-style yakitori. I don't drink much, so I especially love places with tasty snacks like this haha (a PICK for friends who love to drink!)

Inside: booking the second-floor curtain room on Naver

The vibe inside was a real plot twist. Paisley wallpaper, wood-toned bar seating — that classic European feel is totally different from the usual izakaya.

There's also bar table seating like this

and more tables on the right side of the first floor. That spot was right by the restroom, which I actually liked!

There's also space on the second floor, and I booked a room there in advance through Naver Reservations, so I could relax and talk without worrying about other tables! Izakayas tend to get a bit rowdy, but once we closed the curtain, we barely heard anything from outside haha. We hadn't seen each other in ages and had a mountain of things to catch up on, and the room meant we could chat quietly without raising our voices. It'd also be great for a reunion with old classmates, a small work dinner, or even a date in Yeongdeungpo.

There was even a phone charger by the counter — such a nice touch!!

The complimentary starter

Cabbage with sauce came out as the basic banchan (side dish). The crisp cabbage was great for resetting the palate between rich, oily bites.

How the food tasted

Pork belly scallion skewers, 15,000 won

This is yakitori made by wrapping pork belly around scallions and grilling it. The outside is nicely charred and smoky, with scallion tucked inside —

and the sharp bite of scallion cut through the richness of the pork belly perfectly. With that smoky char, my friend said the drinks just kept going down easy haha.

Personally, that thick mayo sauce sprinkled with shichimi (Japanese seven-spice) was a real standout!!

Bacon cream tteokbokki, 28,000 won

Bacon cream tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) is chewy rice cakes drenched in a rich cream sauce. Cream tteokbokki? Girls just can't resist it~ Salty bacon added savoriness with every bite, and

it also worked nicely as a filling final dish.

The well-cooked broccoli scattered throughout was really tasty too. If you're coming for a date, I'd definitely recommend ordering this.

Lemon cream shrimp, 26,000 won

Lemon cream shrimp has plump shrimp coated in a smooth cream sauce, topped with crispy fried onion for a fun mix of textures!!

The lemon's brightness cut right through the richness of the cream, so I kept reaching for more. It looked pretty too, which made it fun to photograph.

Daechang skewers, 12,000 won

Daechang (grilled beef intestine) skewers are chewy on the outside with pops of savory fat inside. Grilled to a nice golden brown with that chewy texture intact — if you love chewy snacks, this will be right up your alley.

Verdict: a quiet Yeongdeungpo spot for round two with friends

Nani Byeolgwan, a Yeongdeungpo izakaya, comes highly recommended if you're looking for a round-two spot or a quiet place to gather!! You can book a room through Naver Reservations, which makes it great for actual conversation, and the food — from yakitori skewers to cream dishes — is well above average. The classic interior also gives it a special feel, different from your typical pub. It was the perfect place to catch up comfortably with old friends over drinks, so if you're deciding on a spot for a small gathering, a work dinner, a date in Yeongdeungpo, or round two, give this one a look haha.