Hyehwa izakaya with open windows and skewers: Hanamato

Where can you find an open-air izakaya feel near Hyehwa Station?

While walking around the Hyehwa Daehangno area, I spotted the colorful retro sign and stopped by Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa (하나마토 대학로혜화). Its exterior, reminiscent of a Japanese alleyway pub, and its lively atmosphere stood out.

The address is 1F, 10 Changgyeonggung-ro 34-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The original post lists its hours as 4:00 PM to 3:00 AM the following day.

The weather was nice, and I wanted a drink while feeling the outdoor air. The sign and atmosphere I came across near Hyehwa Station suited that mood well.

I could smell skewers grilling from outside, so I went in wanting skewers with draft beer.

What are the first-floor bar and second-floor window seats like?

The first floor had a neatly arranged long bar with wood-toned seating. It looked well suited to drinking alone or sitting together on a date.

Soft lighting and Japanese-language menus added to the izakaya atmosphere. We went upstairs and found a seat because we wanted the openness of a yajan, an outdoor drinking area.

On the day I visited, the second-floor windows were wide open. I could drink in the cool autumn breeze coming through the windows, which gave the indoor space a yajan-like atmosphere.

Is there anything to browse while waiting for food?

There was a small retail area inside, like a little gift shop. Along with Japanese snacks, ramen, and candy, it had Monchhichi dolls and keychains, so I looked around while waiting for the food.

It was fun to browse the snacks and goods together. I also noticed that if I craved a sweet snack while drinking, I could buy one inside the restaurant.

How were the mentaiko cheese potatoes and skewers?

Were the mentaiko cheese potatoes generous with cheese?

The mentaiko cheese potatoes were sliced potatoes topped with mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) and mozzarella on a hot plate. There was enough cheese to lift with chopsticks, and the salty mentaiko paired well with the rich cheese. I also noticed sweet and salty flavors.

How did the three chicken skewers differ in texture?

For the skewers, I had chicken skin, chicken scallion, and chicken thigh.

The chicken skin skewer was crisp outside and chewy inside. Its rich, oily flavor built as I chewed, and it went well with draft beer.

The chicken scallion and chicken thigh skewers had a tender texture with a savory soy-based sauce. The cabbage salad served alongside was good for refreshing my palate in between.

How was the spicy jjamppong served as a soupy drinking dish?

The spicy jjamppong arrived in a pot piled high with mung bean sprouts. It was dusted with red pepper powder, and the broth was refreshing yet pleasantly spicy.

Once the sprouts cooked in the broth, I lifted them out with the udon noodles. The crunchy sprouts went nicely with the spicy broth.

I was satisfied with both the dishes and the restaurant atmosphere on this visit. The time spent by the second-floor window in the cool breeze especially stayed with me. The staff were lively too, which made the meal enjoyable.