Wangsimni date bar: omija highball and kimchi fried rice at Ari Gyegok
In short
Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch is a traditional-liquor gastropub in Seongdong, Seoul, sitting between Wangsimni Station and the Hanyang University food street. Arriving as the first customers when the doors opened at 4:30pm on a Sunday, two of us shared the mud duck pancake, aged-kimchi fried rice with a real smoky char and an omija (schisandra berry) highball — filling portions for the price. Ari Gyegok is an easy recommendation for a Wangsimni date night that wants atmosphere, good food and fair drink prices in one place.
Good to know
- Address
- 14 Majo-ro 3ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (1st–2nd floor)
- Getting there
- About a 4-minute walk from Wangsimni Station Exit 6, about 5 minutes from Hanyang University Station Exit 1
- Hours
- Sun–Thu 16:30–02:00 (last order 01:00), Fri–Sat 16:30–03:00 (last order 02:00)
- Reservations
- Bookable on Naver Reservation; also listed on Catch Table
- Ordering
- QR code ordering at the table
- Food prices
- Light dishes from around 7,000 won up to hot pots and main courses
- What we ordered
- Mud duck pancake (limited-quantity signature), aged-kimchi fried rice, omija highball
- Price reference
- ₩7,000 ≈ $5 (2026-09-21)
as written by the visitor on Sep 21, 2026
Today I'm bringing a review of a hip bar near Wangsimni and Hanyang University for anyone looking for a meetup or date spot — Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch. With its variety of unusual dishes, a wide lineup of traditional liquors, and a spacious, cozy space, it's perfect for both friend gatherings and dates. Here's my honest review from an actual visit!
Where is Ari Gyegok Wangsimni and what are its hours?
Ari Gyegok Hanyang University Branch is a cooking-and-drinks bar occupying the 1st–2nd floor at 14 Majo-ro 3ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. It's about a 4-minute walk from Exit 6 of Wangsimni Station and about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Hanyang University Station.
- Address: 14 Majo-ro 3ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1st–2nd floor)
- Location: About 4 min walk from Wangsimni Station Exit 6 / about 5 min from Hanyang University Station Exit 1
- Hours: Sun–Thu 16:30–02:00 (last order 01:00)
- Fri–Sat 16:30–03:00 (last order 02:00)
Convenience: Naver Reservation available, Catch Table listed. It sits right between Wangsimni Station and the Hanyang University food street, so access is excellent. Open until 2–3am, it's great not just for a first round but also as a late-night snack stop for round two!
A Korean tavern-style exterior and a roomy two-floor interior
From the outside, Ari Gyegok Hanyang University Branch has a design with roof tiles and cloud patterns that evokes an old-school Korean tavern, giving it a hip yet traditional feel.
We came in as the first customers right at the Sunday 4:30pm opening! By around 5:30, the first floor was already filling up fast with customers. There were even groups of 10 or more, and since the place is so spacious, it was a big plus that it could comfortably accommodate large parties.
Dim lighting with warm orange tones makes for a really cozy atmosphere. The walls feature traditional gourd bottles and liquor bottles, mountain and cloud decorations, all paired with hip neon lighting.
What is on the menu, including the traditional liquor list?
At Ari Gyegok Hanyang University Branch, you check the menu and order easily via a QR code attached to each table. Choices range from light dishes around ₩7,000 to hot pots and mains, with well-put-together set menus that are easy to pick based on group size.
The traditional liquor lineup is really extensive, and the menu kindly describes the taste and aroma of each, so even beginners can pick without worry. Since we came for a date, we ordered the signature mud duck pancake along with aged-kimchi fried rice as a side!
Mud duck pancake: the signature duck served whole and hanging
True to its status as Ari Gyegok's limited-run signature dish, the mud duck pancake grabs your attention right away with its unique presentation, served whole and hanging. There's fun in cutting it yourself, and it's got that irresistible crispy-outside, moist-inside quality. Wrapped with the special mustard sauce, crispy fried dumpling skin, and fresh lettuce/cabbage salad, it's not greasy at all and tastes refreshingly bright.
Aged-kimchi fried rice with a real smoky char
This dish was even better than expected! There's a pleasant richness that spreads through your mouth, along with a savory smoky flavor that comes from being properly stir-fried over open flame. The tanginess of the aged kimchi paired perfectly with the savory duck meat and that smoky char.
The two of us shared the mud duck pancake and the aged-kimchi fried rice, and even together the portions were hearty and just right — totally satisfying in terms of value!
The omija highball that cleans the palate
We ordered the omija (schisandra berry) highball midway through as a palate cleanser! The distinctive sweet-and-sour, slightly bitter flavor of omija combined with the crisp carbonation felt like a proper refresh, washing away the richness of the dishes. It's a light, refreshing highball that even people who find alcohol intimidating can enjoy comfortably!
(It's genuinely rare for Jiyoon to finish her whole drink)
Would I go back to Ari Gyegok? Final verdict
I'm definitely planning to visit again, and I'd strongly recommend this to friends — a real gem in Wangsimni! If you're looking for a bar near Wangsimni/Hanyang University with a great atmosphere plus food and drink that both deliver on value, be sure to check out Ari Gyegok Hanyang University Branch! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Where it is
14 Majo-ro 3ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 성동구 마조로3가길 14 1~2층
