Yurinki and pork stew date at Hwial, a Suwon bar near Ajou University
In short
Hwial Ajou University Branch is a cooking bar (yojujeom) five minutes' walk from the Ajou University intersection in Suwon, Gyeonggi. The signature yurinki (crispy fried chicken) paired with suyuk jeongol (boiled pork hot pot) balanced crunchy fried texture against a clean, savory broth, and the dim lighting with wide table spacing made it feel right for both a date and a group gathering. If you want atmosphere and quality anju together near Ajou University, Hwial's yurinki plus suyuk jeongol combo is the move.
Good to know
- Location
- 5-minute walk from Ajou University main gate and Ajou University intersection
- Hours
- Daily 17:00–02:00 (last order 01:00)
- Parking
- Store parking is limited; Ajou University Hospital parking lot or Uman-dong public parking recommended
- Seating
- Wide table spacing, bar seats (dat-jji seats) available
- Ordered
- Yurinki, suyuk jeongol
- Myeongran cheese potato pancake
- ₩17,000
- Corn cheese pancake
- ₩15,000
- Mala cream shrimp
- ₩20,000
- Myeongran cheese cream udon
- ₩17,000
as written by the visitor on Sep 7, 2026
Hwial Ajou University Branch: location, hours, parking
Location: Ajou-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi (5-minute walk from Ajou University's main gate and the Ajou University intersection)
Hours: Daily 17:00–02:00 (last order 01:00)
Parking: The store's own parking space is limited, so I'd recommend using the nearby Ajou University Hospital parking lot or the Uman-dong public parking lot.
Today I'm bringing you an honest review of Hwial Ajou University Branch, a cooking bar near the Ajou University intersection that's said to nail both atmosphere and anju (drinking snacks) flavor.
The Ajou commercial area is mostly full of budget-friendly bars aimed at students, but Hwial had upscale interiors and carefully plated dishes, making it a perfect spot for a date or a gathering.
Store atmosphere and seating
Walking inside, you immediately get a modern, hip bar vibe. The lighting is soft and dim, with a spotlight dropping over each table, so selfies and food photos come out really nicely.
The tables are spaced generously apart, making it a great fit for local college students' wedding-invitation gatherings or couples' date nights. There are also bar seats (dat-jji seats) set up, which are great for solo drinking or an intimate chat between two people.
What we ordered: yurinki and suyuk jeongol
That day we ordered Hwial Ajou's two signature representative dishes: yurinki (crispy fried chicken) and suyuk jeongol (boiled pork hot pot). The combination of the two was really excellent — let me leave a detailed taste review 😍😍😍
How does the suyuk jeongol taste?
This is the soup dish that pairs best with the fried yurinki: suyuk jeongol. Neatly arranged boiled pork, minari (water celery), mushrooms, and napa cabbage come out piled generously in a pot, and you simmer it on a burner at the table.
There's no gamy smell to the meat at all, and it's really tender. The long-simmered broth is clean yet has a deep savory richness that practically calls for soju or a highball. Grab the vegetables and pork together, dip them in the wasabi soy sauce, and that cleanness spreads through your whole mouth. Right when the yurinki starts feeling a bit greasy, a warm sip of the suyuk jeongol broth resets your palate for a perfect balance. So good......
A slushy, half-frozen shot of soju, swig
How does the yurinki taste?
Yu-ri-in-ki!!!! Fried chicken that's really crispy outside and moist inside, piled generously on top of fresh lettuce, cheongyang chili, and scallion shreds.
The batter doesn't get soggy even after a while, keeping its distinctive crunch. The sweet-and-sour special soy sauce underneath completely cuts through the fried richness. Especially with the sliced cheongyang chili scattered on top, each bite brings a sharp spicy kick — there's nothing better as a drinking snack. If you like fried dishes, this menu will satisfy you without question. Highly recommend pairing it with the jeongol!!
The fried onions underneath are seriously delicious. How did they even think of this — the sweet-and-salty charm of onions.
Service and overall review
The staff were very kind, and the food came out fairly quickly. The main anju dishes were as good as what you'd find at a dedicated restaurant, and combined with the great atmosphere, if you're looking for a proper cooking bar near Ajou University, I'd recommend Hwial Ajou University Branch as your top choice.
Menus to try next time
Besides yurinki and suyuk jeongol, browsing the tablet menu showed a lot of other tempting-looking dishes, so here are the standout recommended menus I want to try on my next visit.
- Myeongran cheese potato pancake (₩17,000) / Corn cheese pancake (₩15,000): golden-fried pancakes topped with cheese and generous garnish. The myeongran cheese potato pancake in particular, with its salty pollock roe, savory cheese, and potato harmony, is really popular as a drinking snack.
- Mala cream shrimp (₩20,000) & myeongran cheese cream udon (₩17,000): a strongly recommended cream lineup if you like trendy fusion dishes. The mala-spiced cream shrimp or the soft, thick myeongran cheese cream udon both work well as a first-round snack or even a meal.
- Recommended combo: yurinki (crispy & tangy) + suyuk jeongol (clean & brothy)
- Would I return: 200% (next time I'm planning to try a highball and other dishes too!)
If you're looking for a bar with good atmosphere and tasty anju near Ajou University, spend a fun time this weekend at Hwial with the yurinki and suyuk jeongol combo.
Where it is
1F, 6-3 Ajou-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea경기도 수원시 영통구 아주로 6-3 1층
