Dog-friendly bar in Gwangalli, Busan: sashimi set at Maenggu Pocha

A retro-vibe bar and anju (drinking snacks) spot in Gwangalli, Busan, with great atmosphere and dog-friendly seating: Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch. From fresh seafood to sashimi platters and all kinds of side dishes, this place has it all — highly recommend!!!

Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch

Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch hours and parking

Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch is open daily from 18:00 to 04:00, with last order at 03:00.

• Daily 18:00–04:00 / last order 03:00
• 🅿️ No parking on-site — use the round lot in front of the shop or the public lot next door!

Inside Maenggu Pocha: peak retro, full of Jjanggu (Crayon Shin-chan) props

The inside of Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch was decorated as the ultimate throwback to retro vibes. Colorful lights layered with old posters gave off that nostalgic, warm feeling of the retro scenes you'd remember from childhood 🌠

The walls were packed with old cartoon posters, nostalgic ad boards, and character props, and off to one side was a whole display of cute Jjanggu (the Korean nickname for Crayon Shin-chan) bags and T-shirts! If you're a fan of the character, it's hard to just walk past this spot. There's also a Naver review event running, so join in if you can!

What's on the menu at Maenggu Pocha?

Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch's best-selling menu includes live fish hoemulhoe (raw fish in cold broth), milchi sashimi, butter crab grill, Busan-style milmyeon (cold wheat noodles), maepkoba, boneless monkfish stew, potato pollack roe pancake, egg toast, nurungji samgyetang (scorched rice chicken soup), and soft tofu crab stew. The signature menu features the live fish sashimi set, braised pork rib set, and seafood set. There are plenty of other side dishes too, so check them out!

Bringing a dog to Maenggu Pocha: carrier bag and water bowl

At Maenggu Pocha, a dog-friendly bar, it seems you need to bring a dog carrier bag! Our dog looked thirsty, and the staff even brought out a water bowl for her — so kind ヾ(´∀｀)ﾉﾞ

The live fish sashimi set, spicy fish stew included

I was off alcohol that day so I just ordered one bottle of beer, but it came in a bucket full of ice, so it stays cold all the way through.

I ordered the live fish sashimi set, and it came with a spicy fish stew too, which made it feel super generous. It came with a full spread of doenjang-based dipping sauce (makjang), chojang (vinegar-chili sauce), and soy sauce, plus rice you could top with sashimi like sushi 🤤

The chewy sashimi, dipped in the sweet-and-tangy chojang, really wakes up your appetite!

Dipping a piece of sashimi in makjang and adding a chili slice gave a savory, salty flavor that paired really well with the sashimi's clean taste! Wrapping it in seaweed with aged kimchi was also delicious. The crunch of the wrap and the chewy sashimi together — amazing 🤤

I tried putting sashimi over rice, sushi-style, and it was honestly better than most sushi shops. Probably because the sashimi itself was so fresh and tasty.

Wrapping the sashimi in lettuce and perilla leaves with garlic, chili, seasoning, and aged kimchi gave a really full, layered flavor in every bite.

I scooped up a bowl of the spicy fish stew, and the fish chunks were thick and savory — so good. The broth was nice and spicy, and it even had hand-torn dough flakes (sujebi) in it, which made it even better.

Finishing the night with extra Buldak Gyeti

I planned to finish with the fish stew, but ended up ordering extra Buldak Gyeti (fire chicken-flavored jjapaghetti). It even came with a soft-boiled egg — just mix it all together for a great finish!

The spicy kick from the fire chicken flavor combined with the sweet, rich flavor of the black bean noodles made a combo that worked really well together. The sauce clung thickly to the noodles, so every bite hit with that deep spicy-sweet flavor!

Is Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an worth a visit?

Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch pairs the relaxed vibe of a pocha bar with freshness that rivals a dedicated sashimi restaurant. The owner is serious about managing the fish tanks and personally selects the seafood, so you can trust what you're eating — and you get high-quality seafood and sashimi at half the price of a regular hoetjip. It's also dog-friendly, which makes it a win-win for anyone with a pup. Highly recommend Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an for the great food and great vibe alike ෆ