First-date izakaya in Gyodong, Daegu: snowflake gyoza at Naiba Hutto

If you're looking for an izakaya near Dongseong-ro or a bar in Gyodong, I recommend Gyodong Naiba Hutto (교동 네이바훗도) 🍻 It's actually where I went on my first date with Dori after I moved to Daegu, so this place is full of warm, fuzzy memories haha. I hadn't been in a while, but it was still so delicious and every bit the hot spot. I went on a Sunday, and I don't know if the person cooking was a staff member or the owner, but he was seriously good-looking 👍👍

Where is Gyodong Naiba Hutto, and what are its hours?

Gyodong Naiba Hutto is on the 1st floor at 634 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 675 m from Exit 2 of Jungangno Station. It's open from 18:00 to 01:30 the next day (last order 00:30), every day of the year.

• 🏠 Gyodong Naiba Hutto
• 📍 634 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 1st floor (675 m from Exit 2 of Jungangno Station)
• ⏰ 18:00 to 01:30 the next day (last order 00:30)
• ❌ Open every day all year
• 🎁 Free gyoza or cucumber salad coupon when you turn on notifications 💚
• 📶 Wi-Fi
• 📅 Reservations and simple payment available
• 👥 Groups welcome

Seating and how to order at Naiba Hutto

Naiba Hutto has counter seats and about 2–3 four-person tables. I ran over right at Sunday opening and was the first one in ✌️ The counter has a great atmosphere, but there are also four-person tables where you can sit comfortably.

To order, you fill in the order sheet at each seat yourself and hand it to the staff ✍️ It has an analog charm, and you can write it out at your own pace while deciding, which I actually liked haha.

What we ordered at Naiba Hutto

Yakitori (grilled skewers) seems to be the main thing at Naiba Hutto 🍢 The smell of golden-grilled skewers alone is art, so ordering skewers here is a must haha.

This time we ordered one set and one yakigyoza (pan-fried dumplings). I remember loving the yakigyoza when I came with Dori before 🥟 Oh, and drinks are ordered verbally, separately haha.

Table setting and the complimentary cabbage

Small plates, napkins, chopsticks and everything else you need are neatly laid out at each seat, which is very convenient 👍 You don't have to call the staff every time you need something, which was really nice haha.

The cabbage they give you by default! What on earth is the sauce sprinkled on top? It's so good that I always wonder what it is ㅜㅜ It goes perfectly with the crunchy cabbage, and I kept reaching for it before the main dishes even arrived 😋

How cold was the Kirin Ichiban beer?

The Kirin Ichiban beer came out first haha 🍺

The Kirin Ichiban at Naiba Hutto was served so cold it made my teeth ache, which was perfect for a hot day haha 🧊 Beer is only right when it's cold enough to get a little icy, and the moment I took a sip, the heat just vanished ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

How were the yakisoba, yakigyoza and 5 yakitori?

Sweet-and-salty yakisoba

The yakisoba came out first!!! Ugh.. the sweet-and-salty combo is seriously crazy 😭 The noodles are chewy and soaked in the sauce, so the first bite instantly makes you call for a beer hahaha.

Snowflake-shaped yakigyoza (pan-fried dumplings)

I ordered the yakigyoza knowing it's good, so, well... hahaha. It was grilled into a pretty snowflake shape, so it looked great too 🥟 That starch-water part is the best bit. It's crispy and delicious hahaha. Crispy outside, juicy inside, the textbook example, and it never disappoints.

5 yakitori skewers grilled to order

Last came the 5 yakitori skewers!!! They're grilled to order, so it took a little while haha. But the taste makes you forget the wait 🍢 With a little wasabi on top, it's not greasy at all and really good 🩷 They had a light smoky flavor and were moist and tender, a perfect finish as a beer snack hahaha.

Revisiting our first-date izakaya: Naiba Hutto verdict

On the way out, Naiba Hutto thoughtfully hands you a candy to freshen your mouth haha 🍬 It was a really satisfying visit, ending on a sweet and happy note 👍👍

This photo is the yakigyoza from Naiba Hutto way back at the start of our relationship hahaha! I dug through my album and the picture was still there! 📸 It holds precious memories for me, so this Dongseong-ro izakaya, Naiba Hutto, always means a lot whenever I go!!!

Naiba Hutto is great for a light drink as a second round and also perfect for filling up as a first round haha. This time I went as a first round and ordered the set menu plus gyoza, and I was so full I couldn't order anything more, which is my only regret ㅜㅜㅜ If you're looking for a bar in Gyodong with a great, sentimental atmosphere, I fully recommend it! 👍