Gwangalli bar in Busan for spicy whelk salad and draft beer: Moknal

On a weekend evening a friend suddenly got in touch, so we headed to Gwangalli on a whim for a beer. We stumbled into this place and my jaw dropped at the best Gwangalli ocean view ever. Let me tell you about Moknal (목날), a bar in Gwangalli.

Sipping a draft beer while looking out over the wide-open Gwangalli sea, the drinks just kept going down so easily. It also seems like a prime spot for watching the weekend-evening Gwangalli drone show or fireworks.

Where is Moknal in Gwangalli, and what are its hours?

Moknal is on the 3rd floor of the building at 191 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro in Suyeong, Busan, 678m from Exit 1 of Geumnyeonsan Station. It is open 17:00 to 05:00 the next day Monday to Friday, and 16:00 to 05:00 the next day on Saturday and Sunday. Being open until 5am makes it great for a late-night drink.

Can you see Gwangan Bridge from Moknal's window seats?

Yes. Through the big 3rd-floor windows, Moknal looks straight out at Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge. I climbed up to the 3rd floor, opened the door, and the view that greeted me the moment I stepped in was a real surprise.

Tip for booking weekend window seats

If you want the best window-side spot with a front-row view of Gwangan Bridge on a weekend, I strongly recommend booking ahead before you go. It's also a wonderful spot to reserve for the weekend Gwangalli drone show.

Atmosphere

Moknal is a cozy place with about 15 tables, and through the big windows Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge fill your view, so it feels wonderfully open.

The owner couple's hospitality

Moknal is run by a husband-and-wife team, and they welcomed us so warmly and kindly that I was in a good mood the whole meal.

What's on the menu at Moknal in Gwangalli?

Moknal offers a variety of Korean and Japanese-style snacks (anju) and a lineup of drinks.

Are Moknal's whelk salad and draft beer worth it on a full stomach?

At Moknal we ordered the tangy, spicy golbaengi-muchim (spicy whelk salad) and cold draft beer. We'd already had a big dinner and were full, so we kept the order simple. Even the complimentary snack and that first glass of beer already looked delicious.

Drinking while looking at Gwangan Bridge like this, the beer just goes down so well.

And even though I was full, the whelk salad's seasoning was so good that I kept eating. The flavor was savory and perfectly balanced, and they piled on a generous amount of somyeon (thin wheat noodles), so even if you skip dinner and come here for a first round, it's hearty enough to be a full meal.

Taking a sip of cold draft beer while gazing at the sparkling Gwangalli night view outside the window, the drink tasted so sweet. Haha.

Last, a little service from the owner: they even handed us candy when we paid.

Overall verdict on Moknal, a Gwangalli ocean-view bar

We came to Moknal in Gwangalli suddenly and by chance, and I was thoroughly satisfied.

• A top-notch ocean-view bar with big windows overlooking Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge
• A great spot for whelk salad with hearty portions and perfect seasoning
• Open until 5am, ideal for enjoying the night sea
• A warm and kind owner couple

If you're looking for a bar in Gwangalli with a view, tasty snacks and friendly service all in one, I recommend Moknal. Kind owners, we'll be back~~