Sangam DMC izakaya in Seoul for beef tendon oden hot pot: Hanamato

Words / photos / video by Yenny Select

What kind of izakaya is Hanamato Sangam DMC?

I found a slice of a Japanese back alley right in the middle of Seoul — I visited Hanamato Sangam DMC in Sangam-dong. From the exterior to the interior, this izakaya (Japanese-style pub) has such an exotic vibe that it genuinely feels like you've traveled to Japan.

World Cup Stadium and the park sit right nearby, so the whole neighborhood has a green, relaxed feel.

• 16 Wolgyeokbuk-ro 44-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 1F and 2F
• Mon–Sat 4:30 PM–3 AM
• Last order 2 AM
• Closed Sundays
• Takeout available, pet-friendly

Where to park near Hanamato Sangam DMC: public lots

Hanamato Sangam DMC doesn't have its own parking lot, but luckily there are several public parking lots operating right nearby, so I could park comfortably and eat. This hourly public lot here is the closest one!

First floor or second floor: which seats to take

Hanamato Sangam DMC's space is split between the first and second floors.

The first floor has a brighter, livelier atmosphere — good for drinking while getting a nice boost of energy —

while the second floor is calm and quiet, perfect for a good chat.

The restroom is neatly set up on the second floor, and everything on the menu can be packed to go, so it's great for a home party too.

If you're visiting with friends in your 20s, the game machines the shop rents out — like random-fate games or truth games — would probably be a lot of fun haha. As for me, I'm old lol… I just quietly ate and left haha.

Yenny's picks: beef tendon oden hot pot, braised salmon head, yakitori

• Tomato salad ₩12,000
• Sakeno atama aradaki (braised salmon head, Japanese style) ₩17,000
• Sujitang oden ₩18,000
• Yakitori, 5 skewers ₩13,000
• Grilled ginkgo nut skewer ₩6,900

As soon as you sit down, crispy, savory shrimp chips come out as a complimentary side dish.

The sujitang oden that arrived first had a broth that was just spicy enough while still being rich and salty — I couldn't put the spoon down.

Instead of cheap fishcake, it was packed with premium fishcake that had a great texture, so I snipped it up with the scissors and ate every bit. Bok choy, mushrooms, bean sprouts and other vegetables all came together for a refreshing broth.

The tomato salad had a pleasant sweetness I didn't expect. It's piled with arugula, which has its own appealingly bitter flavor, topped with sweetly marinated tomatoes, salty olives, mozzarella cheese, tangy mandarin, and crunchy garlic flakes.

And then there's the uniquely named sakeno atama aradaki!! It's a Japanese braised dish made from salmon head, salty with a subtle sweetness — perfect as a drinking snack.

From the varied, smoky five-piece yakitori set, the chicken thigh skewer — grilled juicy and moist — was personally my favorite.

Set menus and the bar-snack lineup

If you want to try a variety of dishes all at once, I'd recommend going with a set menu rather than ordering à la carte.

• 5 skewers, tomato salad, and 5 oden pieces set
• 5 skewers, savory pollock roe cheese potato, and 5 oden pieces
• Fresh mackerel sashimi, yakisoba, and oden combo

There were plenty of hearty sets to choose from depending on your taste. The numbingly spicy mala oden broth, especially popular with women, also caught my eye.

I was personally really curious about that flavor, but since my companion isn't a fan of mala, I had to settle for the clear sujitang oden this time.

Beyond that, there's croquette, ebi fry (fried shrimp), and nose-tingling tako wasabi (octopus with wasabi) — a properly varied lineup of side dishes for an authentic Japanese izakaya, which has me looking forward to my next visit.

Sweet highballs and a slow finish to the night

If you're not great with alcohol, I'd recommend the highballs, which let you enjoy the atmosphere fully while sipping something light. The highball lineup is solid, with sweet, fruit-forward names like First Love Highball, Peach Moonlight, and Tropical Sunset.

Even in the middle of a busy city, this place had such a nice, quiet, laid-back neighborhood feel. If you're heading out to World Cup Park on a weekend or after work and looking for a warm, atmospheric spot to enjoy good food and drinks while chatting away, how about Hanamato Sangam DMC?

I'm posting the full menu photos below for anyone who wants to check them out!

Hanamato Sangam DMC full menu and prices