Yeouido izakaya seafood okonomiyaki and cumin-dipped lamb: Nani

There's an izakaya near Yeouido Station that does a great lamb shoulder rack, so I ran an errand nearby and dropped in for a good meal. This is "Nani Yeouido Branch," a Yeouido Station favorite.

Where is Nani Yeouido Branch and what are its hours?

Nani Yeouido Branch is at 37 Gukjegeumyung-ro 2-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd floor of the S-TRENUE Building, right in front of the escalator. It's 79 meters from Exit 3 of Yeouido Station (Lines 5, 9) — basically right at your feet!!

• Hours: Mon–Fri 17:00–02:00 / Sat 17:00–01:00
• Regular closing day: every Sunday
• Last order: 1 hour before each closing time

What are the window seats at Nani like?

Most of the seats at Nani Yeouido Branch face the window, so there's a great sense of openness looking out. The opposite side is sectioned off with beige curtains for a cozy vibe — good for a couple's seat.

After ordering, the basic banchan came out, and true to a Yeouido izakaya, the seaweed vinegar salad with the water drained off was delicious. Sukidashi (small starter dishes) at izakayas or Japanese restaurants without excess moisture hit exactly right for my taste.

Premium chilled lamb shoulder rack on the hot plate

Premium chilled lamb - shoulder rack

The premium lamb shoulder rack came out sizzling on a hot plate! Both the visuals and the sound stole the show completely! Our conversation just stopped and we were fully focused on the lamb shoulder rack. On top of that, a buttery, fragrant aroma hit my nose, like all five senses were engaged at once.

Since the lamb shoulder rack comes out freshly cooked and very hot, you have to hold it with tongs instead of your hands and cut it with scissors. The meat clinging to the bone had me excited even before I'd cut into it. 😍

Zeera or basil pesto: which dip works better?

Zeera (cumin seasoning) and basil pesto both make the lamb taste even richer. The zeera has herbs in it, and I really liked the savory depth and the texture as you chew. The basil pesto is on the saltier side, so a light dip brings out the lamb's flavor better. Haha.

Zeera suited my taste better, so I dipped the lamb straight into it, and there was no lamb smell at all — the density of the meat gave a real sense of fullness, and the usual lamb odor was almost nonexistent, making it very easy to eat. The more I ate, the more I could tell that Nani Yeouido Branch really knows how to prep and handle lamb.

Why Nani's seafood okonomiyaki was the best I've had

Seafood okonomiyaki

Not to exaggerate, but the okonomiyaki at Nani Yeouido Branch was the best I've had so far. My sibling loves okonomiyaki, so we've been to several places together in Mapo, Hapjeong, and Hongdae, and I always just thought, "oh, this is what it tastes like." But eating it at Nani Yeouido Branch, I finally understood what seafood okonomiyaki is really supposed to taste like.

It was soft in the mouth, and the cabbage and seafood flavors came through together, with the sauce not overpowering things, so the ingredients' own flavors really shone. Wow, so good.♡

At this Yeouido izakaya, watching the sun go down and the sky turn to sunset, I could feel summer passing and fall arriving. Nani Yeouido Branch is great for a casual drink with coworkers after work, and just as good for a proper dinner!! I spent a beautiful evening at Nani near Yeouido Station, feeling almost drunk on the view outside.

Final verdict on Nani Yeouido Branch

Located at the S-TRENUE Building right in front of Yeouido Station, a double-line station (Lines 5, 9), it's easy to meet up at, easy to find, and convenient to get home from even late at night after a meal or drinks!! This is an izakaya where dishes like the lamb shoulder rack and seafood okonomiyaki are genuinely delicious! The portions and flavor hold up not just as drinking snacks but as a proper dinner!

Nani Yeouido Branch is great for chatting while looking out at the view, and just as good for a cozy conversation in a sectioned-off spot! If you work in Yeouido, if you've come shopping at Yeouido IFC Mall or The Hyundai, or if you're setting up a meetup with friends near Yeouido Station, Nani Yeouido Branch can't be beat!