Yeongtong private room bar with beef brisket bibim udon: Hwial

Hwial Ajou University Branch · 1F, 6-3 Aju-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea · Hours 16:00 - 00:50 (hours vary Fri, Sat; closed Mondays) · The go-to spot near Ajou University for atmosphere and taste.

There are so many bars everywhere that whenever I have plans with friends or my wife, I usually just decide on the spot based on the mood of the day. But Hwial Ajou University Branch, which I visited last time, stuck with me for a while because the food was good and the atmosphere was great. So naturally this time it was, "let's go there again," and we made a return visit 😊 A lot of places you only go to once, but the fact that I kept coming back to this one clearly means something. I think it's worth checking out especially if you're looking for a Gwanggyo bar date spot, an Ajou date spot, or a Yeongtong date spot.

Where Hwial Ajou University Branch is, and what the rooms and table seats are like

Hwial Ajou University Branch is near the Ajou University intersection, so it was easy to find, and once inside, the dim lighting and moody atmosphere catch your eye first. There are table seats, and there's also a space in the back that can be used privately, so it was comfortable for talking over drinks rather than feeling like a noisy bar.

So I imagine a lot of people looking for an Ajou date spot come here, and it also felt like a fine atmosphere for a friend gathering or a family visit. In particular, I liked that the rooms and tables are divided appropriately so you can talk without worrying about the next table over. When looking for a Gwanggyo bar date spot, it's not just about the drinks and snacks — atmosphere matters too. On that front, Hwial was satisfying again on this revisit 😊

What drinks does Hwial pour?

Hwial Ajou University Branch has a wide range of drinks as well as food, so it was easy to pick something depending on the mood or the dish that day. From draft beer to highballs, makgeolli, whisky and more, there was plenty to choose from even if one drink alone wasn't enough.

This time too, we ordered a few dishes and had a drink while chatting leisurely, and the time flew by. Feels like a great fit for anyone looking for a good-atmosphere bar while searching for a Yeongtong date spot!

Chadol bibim udon, the first dish of the return visit

The first thing we ordered on this return visit to Hwial Ajou University Branch was chadol bibim udon (beef brisket mixed udon noodles). We picked different dishes from last time, and I figured the combination of beef brisket and udon noodles would pair well as a drinking snack from the start — and sure enough, it was good.

The chewy udon noodles were well coated in sauce, and with the savory flavor unique to beef brisket added on top, my chopsticks kept reaching for more. It wasn't a heavy dish, so it was also good to pick at in between sips of a drink. Last time too the food was good enough that we came back, and this round's dishes were satisfying overall as well. It really felt like a good call to return as a Gwanggyo bar date spot.

Suyuk jeongol, the hot pot to share with a group

Hwial Ajou University Branch's suyuk jeongol (boiled pork hot pot) came out in a generous portion, good for sharing among several people. Having one hot pot dish at a bar really livens up the table.

With boiled pork in a hot broth, it paired well as a drinking snack and was also good for sipping the broth here and there. Especially as time passed, the broth seemed to deepen in flavor, making it good for eating slowly while drinking. Couples looking for an Ajou date spot could order one hot pot and share it together, and if you're visiting with friends, ordering several dishes to split around the table would work well too 😊

Yurinki turns the order into a full spread

The last thing we ordered was yurinki (crispy fried chicken with a tangy sauce)! Crispy fried chicken topped with a tangy, savory sauce gave a completely different feel from the dishes before it. If the chadol bibim udon was savory and spicy, yurinki had a tangy edge that was great for switching up the palate along the way.

With the suyuk jeongol also on the table, the spread got pretty generous. Trying a bit of each dish this way made the drinking session even more enjoyable. So the wide range of menu choices felt like a real plus for anyone looking for a Yeongtong date spot or a Gwanggyo bar date spot.

Why we went back to Hwial Ajou University Branch

Honestly, there are so many bars out there. But places that are good on just atmosphere or just food exist, while places that are satisfying overall — atmosphere plus food plus space plus a good vibe for conversation — are harder to find than you'd think.

Hwial Ajou University Branch was good the first time, and coming back again, it was still good. In particular, having both rooms and regular tables together means you can choose privacy when you want it, and it was also comfortable for casually drinking with friends. So it seems like a good option not just for those looking for an Ajou date spot, but also for family gatherings or friend meetups.

Already planning the next visit to Hwial

It's always a nice surprise when a place you liked once is still satisfying on a second visit. This time too, the chadol bibim udon, suyuk jeongol, and yurinki each had their own charm and were delicious, and the atmosphere still hit the spot.

Best of all, the vibe was good for sitting and talking for a long time, so it never felt like we had to rush through the meal and leave. If you're looking for a Yeongtong date spot, it's a good place to enjoy both a meal and drinks on a date, and for those looking for an Ajou date spot, it could be a great option with a good atmosphere.

We left satisfied again this time and plan to come back. 😊 Next time, I'll have to pick something we haven't tried yet and give it a proper go. If you're looking for a Gwanggyo bar date spot, an Ajou date spot, or a Yeongtong date spot, there's clearly a reason places become ones you keep returning to. Hwial Ajou University Branch — another great meal this time too 🍻

Garlic gabrisal suyuk, from last visit's meal

The chewy texture unique to gabrisal (pork skirt meat) was there, but it was incredibly moist and tender without any dryness 😊 Especially with the subtle garlic aroma rising up, it really brought out the savoriness of the meat!

Beef yukjeon, pan-fried beef in egg batter

And personally, this was one of the most satisfying dishes 🙂 beef yukjeon (pan-fried beef with egg batter)! Usually when you think of yukjeon, you picture a thin style, but Hwial's yukjeon was much more generous and had real presence 👀 Thick-cut beef topped with shredded scallions and seasoning — it was seriously a delicacy 🤤