Konkuk University Station izakaya: 59,500-won sashimi and charcoal

Haru Konkuk Branch is an izakaya near Konkuk University Station, a Konkuk bar where you can enjoy a variety of drinks and Japanese-style snacks.

I was on the hunt for aged sashimi near Konkuk University Station and ended up at Haru Konkuk Branch. There are tons of izakayas around Konkuk, but what caught my eye about Haru was the menu setup — you get to enjoy sashimi and charcoal-grilled skewers together. Let me tell you about this Konkuk izakaya, Haru!

Where is Haru Konkuk Branch? 3 minutes from Konkuk University Station Exit 1

Haru Konkuk Branch is a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Konkuk University Station, so it's easy to get to by public transit.

This is the building — Haru Konkuk Branch is on the 2nd floor.

Turn the corner of the building slightly and you'll find the entrance leading up to the 2nd floor.

Just take the stairs up to the 2nd floor. It's an easy place to swing by after making dinner plans in Konkuk's main commercial area, and the accessibility makes it a good pick when you're looking for a spot that's more about drinks and snacks than a full meal. Especially if you're searching for a Konkuk bar or a bar near Konkuk University Station, Haru izakaya seems like a solid choice.

Inside Haru Konkuk Branch: a wood-toned izakaya with low lighting

The inside of Haru Konkuk Branch has a wood-toned interior centered around natural wood materials.

No matter what country you go to, izakaya interiors all have this kind of vibe, right? Wooden tables and chairs, a lattice-patterned ceiling, and soft pendant lighting all come together for a warm, calm atmosphere overall.

The walls are decorated with Japanese-style props and posters, and one side displays a range of liquors — anyone can tell this is an izakaya at a glance. There's a mix of table seating and bar-style seats, with partitions dotted in between, making the space work both for larger groups and for a two-person Konkuk date drink outing.

The lighting is on the darker side, so if you visit in the evening, everyone looks a bit more flattering in the cozier atmosphere haha. That makes it an absolutely perfect date bar!

What we ordered: Haru Sashimi + Charcoal Skewer Set of 6, 59,500 won

What we ordered was the Haru Sashimi + Charcoal Skewer 6-type Set for ₩59,500. It's cheaper than ordering sashimi and skewers separately, so going with the set from the start is the better deal. The sashimi comes as an assortment on one plate, and the grilled skewers are served generously on a separate plate.

The Haru sashimi platter

The Haru sashimi comes as a single plate with several types of raw fish together. Tuna, salmon, sea bream, flounder, engawa (fatty flounder fin), abalone, sweet shrimp... a mix of red-fleshed fish, white-fleshed fish, and shrimp.

With sashimi of different colors and textures all together, you can taste a variety on a single plate! Pickled ginger, pickled radish, and wasabi — the essential companions for raw fish — came alongside, and even the vinegar-chili sauce was plated together with the sashimi. Overall it was well-aged, so it was soft, and a savory flavor came up the more I chewed.

The six charcoal-grilled skewers

Chicken breast, heart skewer, bacon-wrapped rice cake, bacon-wrapped cherry tomato... a nice variety came out, and the charcoal aroma really came through!

Not too sweet, not too salty — the seasoning was just right! Eating a bite of skewer here and there in between the aged sashimi was even better than eating just one or the other!

Haru Konkuk Branch: reservations, parking and corkage

Do you need a reservation at Haru Konkuk Branch?

If you're visiting on a weekend evening, I'd recommend booking ahead. When I visited around 7pm on a Saturday, every table was full and it felt like almost everyone there had reserved.

Is there parking at Haru Konkuk Branch?

Parking is tricky — you'll need to use a nearby paid parking lot.

Is Haru Konkuk Branch easy to reach by subway?

It's about a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Konkuk University Station on Line 2.

Can you bring your own bottle to Haru Konkuk Branch?

Corkage is free, limited to two bottles. If you want to enjoy your own drinks without extra cost, that's a total win!

Is Haru Konkuk Branch good for a date?

Yes, I'd recommend it. The lighting is low (so everyone looks good haha) and the food is presented in a way that photographs nicely too.

Haru Konkuk Branch: the verdict

Haru Konkuk Branch is a Konkuk izakaya near Konkuk University Station where you can enjoy sashimi and charcoal-grilled skewers together. With its wood-toned interior and soft lighting, it suits an evening drinking session, and beyond sashimi and skewers, there's also nabe (hot pot), jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), and fried dishes, so there's a decent range of menu choices too.

Especially if you're grabbing drinks with a friend around Konkuk or looking for an atmospheric Konkuk date spot, going with the set menu that combines sashimi and skewers seems like a good call.

Recommended for (Yes!):

• Anyone looking for a Konkuk bar close to Konkuk University Station
• Anyone who wants to enjoy sashimi and charcoal skewers together
• Anyone looking for a date spot at a Konkuk izakaya

Not recommended for (No!):

• Those who prefer bright, casual bar atmospheres
• Those who need to use a dedicated on-site parking lot
• Those who just want a meal without drinks