Sinnonhyeon izakaya with curtained private booths: Goko

After a long while, the drinking crew got together and went all out at a wildly popular hotspot near Gangnam Station — Izakaya Goko!

We made a proper reservation before heading over, and here's the honest review — the food was delicious and the vibe was perfect!

Where is Izakaya Goko Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch, and what are its hours?

• Hours: Weekdays 17:00–02:00, Weekends 16:30–02:00 (last order 00:00)
• Signature menu: aged sashimi and yakitori
• Reservations and group use: available via Naver Reservation
• Highlights: 2nd-floor window terrace vibes, cozy curtained private seating, highly recommended for dates and blind dates

What the exterior and interior of Izakaya Goko look like

Izakaya Goko Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch is super close to exits 5 and 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station!! It's on the 2nd floor of the main street, so even if you're terrible with directions, there's no way you'll miss it haha.

They've got everything from counter seats to private booths to hall tables, so it works great whether you're drinking solo, in a big group, or on a date!!!

Window-side outdoor seats are first-come; the curtained private booths are the cosiest

And on top of that, the window side had these great open-air terrace-style seats!! Since we'd made a reservation ahead of time, the owner gave us the reservation table right at the best window spot haha. Nice!!

But then someone who was here on a blind date really wanted that window seat, so we gladly gave it up — such a wholesome scene haha (giggling).

Instead we got shown to a cozy curtained private booth, and once our big-built drinking crew squeezed in, the coziness exploded to 200%!!! If you really want the window seat, definitely book ahead (it is first-come though haha). Imagine throwing open the 2nd-floor window in this weather and drinking with great snacks in that breezy terrace mood — so good!!!!

Izakaya Goko menu: the set that pairs aged sashimi with yakitori

My comrades had already read the menu front to back haha. Izakaya Goko is known for its aged sashimi — hand-trimmed and aged in-house — and its yakitori, and they've got a set menu where you can have both together! No need to overthink it, just order it!!

Tasting notes: Goko sashimi for 2, yakitori and salt gimbap

As soon as we sat down, everyone toasted with their own pick — a cold Hanmac draft, a sweet-and-refreshing Goko highball, and my personal favorite, soju-cola (soju + zero-sugar cola). Cheers to a great start, and the mood shot right up haha.

First up, the main event — Goko sashimi for two!! Look at that thick, glossy cut of fish. It was packed with in-season sashimi: flounder, greater amberjack, sea bream, salmon, tuna, sweet shrimp, and steamed abalone!! One bite in, there was zero fishy taste, just a chewy, savory flavor that filled my mouth — impossible not to drink with this haha.

Next came the yakitori!! Various parts — heart, chicken skin, wings, tenderloin — arrived in shio and tare styles with just the right mouthwatering smell!! Nicely charred skewers with a hint of charcoal smoke, and it was a lot of fun picking through them one by one,

Tip: add the salt gimbap to your sashimi order

And here's one pro tip!! Just add the salt gimbap (salted seaweed rice roll), no questions asked haha. It's exactly the taste my mom used to make when I was a kid haha. But it's not overly salty seaweed, so eating it alongside the aged sashimi was ridiculously good!!

When it all arrived filling the table, it was pure happiness haha. Starting with that first drink, the soju just kept flowing!!

Maybe because it was aged sashimi, it just melted in the mouth haha. It melted right along with the soju haha.

Another fun time with the drinking crew today!! Let's make lots of money, stay healthy, and keep drinking together for a long, long time haha.

Verdict: a Gangnam izakaya full of first-date tables

A fun, delicious first round done haha. Looking around the place, I'm not exaggerating — literally every table next to us looked like a blind date happening haha. Ahhh, so sweet, so sweet >_< 💕 confirmed as a Gangnam Station spot for blind dates haha.

With the breezy 2nd-floor window terrace vibe, the cozy curtained booth atmosphere, and the quality of the food — fresh sashimi and charcoal-grilled skewers — 'Izakaya Goko' really delivered! Highly recommend it if you're looking for an izakaya near Gangnam Station, a date or blind-date spot, or a place for the first round of the night!