Hyehwa izakaya for tsukune and mentaiko egg roll: Hanamato Daehangno

It's officially yajang (outdoor drinking tent) season.. I'd had my eye on this place since it opened, and every single dish is high quality with great value for money too — I really, really want to recommend this to anyone looking for a Hyehwa bar, Japanese food, or an izakaya with good atmosphere!!

This is Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa branch.

Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa: location, hours and what we ordered

• 📍 Location: 10 Changgyeonggung-ro 34-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 1st floor
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 16:00–03:00
• 🚗 Parking: Not available
• 🗓️ Reservations: Naver Reservation
• 🛒 Order: 5 kinds of yakitori (₩13,000), tori karaage (₩12,000), mentaiko egg roll (₩10,000), tsukune (₩3,500), Hana Highball (₩4,900), Jim Beam Highball (₩6,900)
• ✔️ Note: Naver reservation gets you a heart skewer coupon
• 🚻 Restroom: Inside the store, separated by gender
• 📋 Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Right outside Hyehwa Station Exit 4: the Hanamato storefront

Hanamato's Hyehwa branch is really, really easy to get to since it's so close to Hyehwa Station!

You step out of Exit 4 and there it is, right in front of you — Hanamato is always packed.

The menu is really varied and, above all, the prices are so reasonable — the best value bar in Hyehwa 🥇

Inside Hanamato: the dining room and the little snack shop

As soon as I walked in, I felt like I'd stepped into a trip to Japan — that distinctive foreign atmosphere, buzzing with lively energy.

Once inside, the moody interior caught my eye — it felt like a Japanese street food stall or alley pub had been transplanted here directly.

There's even a tiny mart inside Hanamato! It really feels like Japan.

Going up to the 2nd floor, it was just as packed with customers as downstairs — clearly hugely popular.

Counter seats by the charcoal grill — how bad is the smoke?

At Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa, we were seated at the counter — the seats where you can watch the skewers being grilled right in front of you.

With orders pouring in nonstop

there was a lot of smoke, but thanks to the smoke screen, none of it came over to the dining hall side. Last time I went to a skewer place in Hongdae, my eyes stung so badly I was crying while eating.. Hanamato's on another level.

Watching them grill each skewer with such care

made me think, honestly, this is worth the wait even if the food comes out a little late.

Hanamato menu and prices

The dishes we ordered at Hanamato

Looking at the menu, there were so many dishes I wanted to try that I agonized over it for a while, and ended up ordering a variety of the signature side dishes that pair perfectly with a highball!

Jim Beam Highball (6,900 won) and Hana Highball (4,900 won)

Hanamato's signature Hana Highball is sweet and refreshing — exactly the kind of taste women love — while the Jim Beam Highball is clean, with the whiskey's subtle character intact, pairing perfectly with the yakitori and other dishes. And the price — is this real..? 👍🏻

Mentaiko egg roll (10,000 won)

Fluffy, soft egg roll topped generously with salty mentaiko mayo 🤤 The sweet-salty combo was pure art.

The soft texture that melts in your mouth had the drinks going down effortlessly 😋

Tori karaage, Japanese fried chicken (12,000 won)

Fresh-fried, piping hot, crispy Japanese-style fried chicken.

The batter outside is thin and 🌟crispy🌟, while the inside is packed with tender chicken meat, with the juices flooding out with every bite — I cleaned the whole plate.

All I can say is it's just insanely good..

Five kinds of yakitori (13,000 won)

Living up to its reputation as a top yakitori spot for Hyehwa izakayas, the skewer quality was amazing!

The 5 kinds of yakitori, fragrant with charcoal, came out crispy outside and juicy inside — a total perfect match with the highballs.

Aaah, I love heart skewers

I gave both chicken wings to my boyfriend. (Why did I do that..) Watching him happily eat, I felt full myself, ha^^..

Moist, tender chicken skewers, and

Tsukune, minced chicken skewer (3,500 won)

The tsukune (Japanese-style ground chicken skewer) we ordered extra had the juices burst in your mouth the moment you bit in, blending with the salty sauce and the richness of the egg yolk — a total standout.

Next time I go, I think I'll order two or three tsukune.

Final verdict and tips for visiting Hanamato

A great-value bar near Hyehwa Station where you can enjoy an unusual, lively atmosphere! Even though it's a busy hotspot, the bright, friendly staff service left me thoroughly satisfied — Hanamato 🙌🏻

If you're looking for a place to grab a drink after watching a play in Daehangno, or to raise a glass with friends in good spirits, be sure to stop by Hanamato's Hyehwa branch! 👍🏻💗