Korean bar in Suwon for dinner and drinks: Ryu-eun

Haenggung-dong has so many cute little places tucked along its alleys that walking around is half the fun—you suddenly spot a shop and think, “Oh, there was a place like this here too?” I’d passed Ryu-eun (류은) a few times, and this time I finally went in myself.

I usually prefer having a drink alongside delicious food, almost like a proper meal, rather than making alcohol the main event, so I was looking forward to this place. Ryu-eun is a fusion Korean bar where you can enjoy traditional liquor with a variety of Korean dishes, and it was larger than I expected, spread across the first and second floors.

Ryu-eun location and hours

📍 38-9 Sinpung-ro 23beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do ⏰ Tue–Thu 17:00–23:30 / Fri 17:00–01:00 / Sat 16:00–01:00 / Sun 17:00–23:30 Closed every Monday

There was no separately listed dedicated parking lot, so if you drive, you can use a nearby public parking lot. Since it is in a Haenggung-dong alley, it was also nice to find while looking around the neighborhood.

A quiet, cozy second-floor space

We arrived a little early, so we were able to enjoy the second floor at our leisure.

When we went upstairs, the atmosphere was really pretty.

There was a chandelier on the ceiling, and the view of trees through the large windows was lovely too, so I imagine it has a completely different feel in the daytime.

The lighting and wood-toned space worked especially well together, and the moment I walked in, I thought, “This place has such a nice atmosphere!” When you think of a Haenggung-dong bar, it is easy to picture somewhere bustling and noisy, but Ryu-eun felt quiet and cozy instead—great for chatting on a date.

I also liked that the restroom inside was kept clean.

Even though we were on the second floor, everything we needed was prepared there, which was convenient.

What we ordered for dinner

The complimentary snack was a savory, tofu-cracker-like bite, and I kept reaching for it without even realizing. We were quite hungry that day, so we came intending to have dinner as well as drinks rather than just a quick drink.

Ryu-eun menu

• Charcoal-grilled jokbal (braised pig’s trotters) ₩22,000
• Korean beef daedoritang ₩25,000
• Non-alcoholic lemon squash ₩10,000

Ryu-eun has a wide selection of traditional liquor and several cocktails, but what I especially liked was that there were non-alcoholic options too.

Our lemon squash was packed with lemon, making for such a refreshing-looking drink. The floral garnish made it pretty to look at as well. Even people who do not drink can enjoy the atmosphere together, so I thought it could be a nice option for anyone looking for a Haenggung-dong date spot.

Charcoal-grilled jokbal and Korean beef daedoritang

And finally, the food arrived! The charcoal-grilled jokbal and spicy jokbal came first, with dried radish strips, chili peppers, garlic, ssamjang (seasoned soybean dipping paste), and more.

The jokbal was lighter-tasting than I expected, and the texture paired nicely with the dried radish strips.

It would be great as drinking food, but I also thought it would be nice with rice.

And then, the Korean beef daedoritang I had been looking forward to most that day! The pot contained mushrooms, perilla leaves, chili peppers, and glass noodles, and with beef intestine added to dakdoritang (spicy braised chicken stew), it felt more generous than an ordinary spicy chicken stew.

The chicken arrived partly cooked, while the beef intestine needed a little more simmering. The intestine was chewy and nutty, and delicious with the broth. There were glass noodles too, which were fun to let soak up the broth. More than anything, I loved the broth.

It was slightly sweet, spicy, and pleasantly sharp, the kind of broth you keep spooning up. It really suits drinks! It is good for a meal like we had, but I think it would also be a great fit for anyone wanting to properly enjoy food with a drink.

If you want warm Korean dishes with your drinks

Haenggung-dong has so many bars, but the options narrow down a little when you want to eat a proper meal too. Since Ryu-eun centers on Korean dishes, that was another thing I liked. Every dish is cooked to order, so the food can take a little time to arrive; we had a wait too, but once I tried the food served hot, I understood why.

If you are looking for a Haenggung-dong bar where you can enjoy delicious food rather than just a pretty setting, I think this is a good choice. With both first- and second-floor spaces, it would also work well for a gathering, and the second floor in particular has a lovely atmosphere thanks to its large windows and chandelier, so I would personally recommend it as a Haenggung-dong date spot. There are not only traditional liquors but also various cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, so it does not feel awkward for drinkers and non-drinkers to visit together. It is a versatile place for everything from dinner to a light drinking session or a date. If you are looking for an atmospheric Korean bar in Haenggung-dong, Ryu-eun is worth visiting for its delicious food and pretty space.