Solo sukiyaki with draft beer for a weeknight drink in Hapjeong

Just yesterday was a weeknight, but one of those days where going straight home after work felt like a waste. I was in a slightly gloomy mood and wanted something tasty, plus a beer to shake it off, so I headed to Hapjeong. Hapjeong has plenty of great spots, but some of them are a bit tricky to enjoy solo. So the place I went to that day was Nahonsha, a solo-dining favorite in Hapjeong. Even the name gives off exactly the vibe of a place made for eating shabu-shabu alone.

Let me introduce Nahonsha, a solo-dining favorite in Hapjeong that's also great for a solo drink over sukiyaki in the evening.

Nahonsha in Hapjeong: a mood-lifter from the mini garden at the entrance

The first thing I loved as soon as I arrived was the atmosphere. There's a small garden set up right in front of the entrance, giving off a green, lush feeling even though you're right in the middle of the city.

In the evening, with the lighting added on top, it felt less like just walking in to eat and more like a little refresh before stepping inside. It's a great Hapjeong spot for those weeknight evenings when you want a small mood boost.

Window seats that are comfortable to sit at alone

The interior was pretty too. Wood-toned tables with plants placed here and there, giving off an overall calm mood.

In particular, there were seats in a row along the window where you could sit side by side, which looked comfortable for solo dining.

There were also seats where two people could eat facing the same direction instead of facing each other, which seemed like it would make for a cozy date too.

A space that's not awkward alone, but has a nice mood if you come as two — that's the vibe.

Nahonsha menu and prices

Nahonsha's menu is centered around shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. Clear broth shabu-shabu and spicy broth shabu-shabu are 14,900 won. Miso shabu-shabu is also 14,900 won. Mala broth shabu-shabu and tomato broth shabu-shabu are 15,900 won. For sukiyaki, there's the Solo Sukiyaki at 16,900 won and the Hon Special Sukiyaki at 19,900 won.

What I chose that day was the Hon Special Sukiyaki for 19,900 won. On top of that, I ordered a Kirin draft beer for 8,000 won. The total came to 27,900 won. There's a tablet at every table, so I could look through the menu and order right away, which was convenient. Not having to keep flagging down staff when eating alone made it even more comfortable.

How to cook the Hon Special Sukiyaki on your own induction burner

When the sukiyaki arrived, one pot was piled generously with vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and meat — it looked hearty just from the sight of it. There was a good variety of mushrooms and plenty of vegetables.

Every table has its own personal induction burner, so you can cook it at your own pace. Once it starts bubbling, it's fun picking out meat and vegetables together. You pour in as much sukiyaki sauce as you like beforehand and set the induction to level 5 to bring it to a boil — I poured in the whole packet and the seasoning was just right.

The side dishes come out simple and clean.

Sukiyaki wouldn't be complete without dipping it in egg.

Once it's boiled enough, you lower the induction to level 2 and just enjoy it. Dipping the well-cooked meat and vegetables into the egg brings out that sweet, savory sukiyaki flavor in a soft, mellow way!

Picking through the different mushrooms and vegetables, even though it's just one pot, there's quite a lot of variety in the eating experience. Rice comes with it too, so it made for a filling, satisfying dinner.

Sukiyaki with a Kirin draft beer — good for a solo drink too?

And my small indulgence for the day was a draft beer. Drinking solo over sukiyaki turned an otherwise ordinary weeknight into something pretty great. It was a good combination for those nights when you want to drink alone in Hapjeong but a loud bar feels like too much. Being able to have a light drink centered around a proper meal felt like finding just the right spot between eating alone and drinking alone.

The staff were kind too, which kept my mood good throughout the meal. When eating alone, even a small gesture from staff can feel surprisingly meaningful, and I could relax and enjoy it comfortably here. The space itself is clean and pretty, so there was no pressure at all in taking my time over a solo dinner.

To sum up

If you're looking for a solo-dining spot in Hapjeong, or want a proper meal alongside a weeknight solo drink, Nahonsha was a pretty solid choice. It's good when you want to eat sukiyaki alone, and it also suits a quiet date for two. Above all, from the mini garden out front to the pretty interior, it was a great place to refresh your mood. Nahonsha is the kind of place I think I'll remember again on those days when going straight home after work just doesn't feel right.