Cheongdam izakaya futomaki platter and spicy crab nabe: Osa Cheongdam

This is Anna, recording my delicious everyday life. My husband and I wanted a nice-atmosphere dinner, so we visited Osa Cheongdam, an izakaya in Cheongdam. Osa Cheongdam impressed me with its soft lighting, sleek interior and generous space between tables. With a hearty Osa futomaki platter and a spicy seafood crab nabe (hot pot) on the menu, it was a great fit for a date or anniversary dinner. Let me walk you through the interior atmosphere and everything we ordered, prices included.

Osa Cheongdam at a glance

• A Cheongdam izakaya known for its soft lighting and sleek interior
• A wide menu — sashimi, sushi, nabe, grilled dishes, pasta — so there's something for every taste
• A good spot to pair a meal with drinks for a date or an anniversary

Where is Osa Cheongdam and how do you get there?

Osa Cheongdam is on the 2nd floor of a building at 37 Seolleung-ro 152-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It's about 491m from Exit 3 of Apgujeongrodeo Station on the Suin-Bundang Line, roughly a 7–10 minute walk.

Inside Osa Cheongdam: soft lighting and well-spaced tables

Walking past the entrance, the first thing that caught my eye was a big pine tree and a space styled like a small garden. Various bottles of liquor and lighting were arranged beneath the tree, giving Osa Cheongdam its own distinctive atmosphere.

The interior overall blended brown tones with soft indirect lighting for a calm yet upscale feel. Plants and ceramic decor placed here and there kept the space from feeling stiff, and the tables were spaced generously enough that my husband and I could chat comfortably while eating.

Toward the back there were tables well suited for drinking under the lighting, and moving toward the windows led to a bright, open space. Plants lined the large windows, giving off a relaxed feel even in the middle of the city.

When we visited, several tables had guests, but the space was divided widely enough that it never felt crowded. The sleek atmosphere typical of a Cheongdam izakaya really came through, making it a great spot for a slow date-night dinner or anniversary meal.

Osa Cheongdam menu and prices: what we ordered

The menu at Osa Cheongdam was wide-ranging, from sashimi moriawase (1 person) at ₩34,000 and a special sushi platter at ₩68,000, to the Osa futomaki platter at ₩38,000 and the spicy seafood crab nabe at ₩38,000. Of these, we chose the futomaki platter and the crab nabe.

• Sashimi moriawase (1 person) ₩34,000
• Special sushi platter ₩68,000
• Handmade mochi tofu ₩14,000
• Straw-smoked lamb chop steak (2pcs) ₩38,000
• Grilled black tiger shrimp (extra large) ₩56,000
• Uni Korean beef striploin steak ₩65,000
• Tiger shrimp bisque pasta ₩34,000
• Raw tuna prosciutto ₩34,000
• Osa futomaki platter ₩38,000
• Spicy seafood crab nabe ₩38,000

From sashimi and sushi to steak, seafood dishes and pasta, the menu was really varied. Everything looked like it would go well with drinks, so my husband and I spent a while poring over the menu. In the end we picked the Osa futomaki platter, which lets you taste a variety of ingredients at once, and the spicy seafood crab nabe, since we were craving something warm and hearty.

How do the Osa futomaki and spicy crab nabe taste?

After ordering, the complimentary side dish arrived: sweet-and-tangy seasoned eggplant. The soft eggplant with its bright sauce was a nice way to wake up our appetite before the main dishes.

For drinks we ordered Ilpum Jinro, a clean soju that's easy to drink. They brought a glass with ice too, so we could keep it cold. It was smooth and clean, pairing well both with the hearty futomaki and the spicy crab nabe.

Osa futomaki platter: too thick for one bite

The first dish to arrive was the Osa futomaki platter. Thick-cut futomaki (seaweed rice rolls) filled the plate, and the pieces were much bigger than I expected.

Inside was a thick rolled omelet along with several types of raw fish, cucumber, pickled radish and more, packed in with no gaps. The rice portion wasn't much, but the fillings were generous, so each ingredient's flavor and texture really came through.

When I put a piece on my small plate, it was so thick it was hard to fit in one bite. Rather than cutting it in half, taking a big bite let the soft raw fish, fluffy omelet and crunchy vegetables all come together at once — even more delicious that way.

At both ends were crispy fried shrimp and plenty of vegetables. The ingredients were large, which made the texture even better.

Spicy seafood crab nabe, finished with udon noodles

The second dish was the spicy seafood crab nabe. A big pot arrived generously filled with crab, bok choy, green onion, mushrooms and more. It's simmered at the table, so we could enjoy it hot throughout the meal.

The broth had the refreshing depth of crab and seafood with a spicy kick added in, making it a great pairing for drinks. It wasn't aggressively hot, more the kind of spicy that keeps you reaching for another spoonful of broth.

After eating most of the crab and vegetables, we added udon noodles to the remaining broth and let them cook.

The noodles soaked up the rich broth nicely, giving us a satisfying finish to the meal. Ordering the hearty futomaki alongside the warm crab nabe worked out well together. Sipping Ilpum Jinro and spooning up the broth whenever we wanted more made for a slow, enjoyable meal with drinks.

Is Osa Cheongdam worth a visit? Final verdict

Osa Cheongdam, with its soft lighting and sleek interior, was a comfortable place for my husband and me to eat and talk. The tables were spaced generously too, making it a good fit for a Cheongdam date or anniversary dinner.

The Osa futomaki, packed with thick slices of raw fish and plenty of fillings, was as fun to look at as it was to eat, and the spicy seafood crab nabe's refreshing, spicy broth paired well with the Ilpum Jinro. If you're looking to enjoy a meal and drinks together at a stylish Cheongdam izakaya, Osa Cheongdam is worth a visit.