Munnae-ro alley izakaya near Times Square, Seoul: skewers at Nani

When you're on a date at Yeongdeungpo Times Square or want a nice-vibe spot for a drink after work, it's always a question of where to go. This time I visited Nani Byeolgwan, a Yeongdeungpo izakaya near Times Square!

The moment I stepped into the alley, it felt like a small local izakaya had been transplanted straight from Japan. Soft lighting mixed with cute little props made it comfortable for a casual drink with friends and also a good fit as a Yeongdeungpo date spot with a partner.

With everything from skewers to grilled dishes, nabe (hot pot), and stir-fries, there were plenty of side dish options to order to your taste — let me introduce Nani Byeolgwan, a Yeongdeungpo Station izakaya.

Where is Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch, and what are its hours?

• Address: 1F Nani Byeolgwan, 183 Munnae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Mon–Sat 18:00–02:00 (last order 01:00)
• Closed: Every Sunday

Nani Byeolgwan is in a spot you can easily walk to from Yeongdeungpo Station and Times Square, and its official account lists hours as 6pm to 2am the next day, Monday through Saturday. I'd recommend checking the official account before visiting to confirm it's open.

It was a great location to head to for a casual drink after finishing a meal or shopping at Times Square.

Inside Nani Byeolgwan: a Japanese izakaya mood down a Munnae-ro alley

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch has that izakaya feel tucked into an alley rather than a flashy bar on a main road, and it was appealing right from the entrance.

Opening the door, the warm-toned lighting and wood interior were the first things that caught my eye. Japanese-style posters and props were placed throughout the space, so photos came out looking really atmospheric.

The house side dish is cabbage, and weirdly, I kept reaching for it haha, it had that pull!

Stir-fried pork belly with bean sprouts: noodles included, filling enough for dinner

The first dish to arrive was a generous plate of stir-fried pork belly and bean sprouts. Crunchy bean sprouts, thin-sliced pork belly, carrots, and other vegetables stir-fried together, and the portion was bigger than I expected. The crisp texture of the bean sprouts paired well with the savory pork belly, and the seasoning wasn't too intense, so my chopsticks kept going back for more.

It worked well as a drinking snack, but since noodles were mixed in, it was also filling enough to double as dinner. A good dish to share when you're out with a few people.

Pork belly scallion skewers: the best thing ordered at Nani Byeolgwan

Personally, the dish I enjoyed the most was the pork belly scallion skewers! Scallions rolled up in pork belly and grilled — the outside was browned nicely while the scallions inside stayed moist. The savoriness of the pork belly and the fragrance of the scallion came through together, and the combination worked out better than I expected.

The sauce drizzled on top added a salty-savory, fragrant note, and paired with the mayo and chili served alongside, it was perfect with beer or a highball. If I visit Nani Byeolgwan again, this is the dish I'd order again.

The visuals are so pretty, T_T

Beef intestine skewers: the richest flavor on the menu

I love beef intestine, so I ordered the beef intestine skewers too. The outside was grilled golden brown and savory, while the inside kept that chewy, tender texture unique to beef intestine. When the richness felt like too much, the chili and other side dishes served alongside helped balance it out.

It has a different kind of rich flavor from the pork belly scallion skewers, so if you like skewers, I'd recommend ordering both to compare.

Of the three dishes, the pork belly scallion skewers stood out the most, the stir-fried pork belly and bean sprouts was the one to fill you up, and the beef intestine skewers suited anyone wanting something rich and savory. It was a Yeongdeungpo izakaya where you could enjoy a variety of side dishes as much as the atmosphere.

Is Nani Byeolgwan right for a Yeongdeungpo date or after-work drinks?

With soft lighting overhead and a cold drink in hand, it felt like a comfortable way to wrap up the day.

The atmosphere wasn't overly formal or stiff, so it worked well for a casual drink with coworkers after work or catching up with a friend over conversation. If you're looking for a bar close to Times Square but want somewhere a bit different from the usual chains, Nani Byeolgwan's Japanese-leaning sensibility should suit you well.

Nani Byeolgwan was an evocative Yeongdeungpo izakaya where you could feel that local Japanese izakaya atmosphere near Yeongdeungpo Station and Times Square. The cozy interior and soft lighting made it easy to quietly enjoy drinks and conversation, and the menu options ranged widely from skewers to grilled dishes and nabe. If you want to have a relaxed drink with tasty side dishes in an atmospheric space, try visiting Nani Byeolgwan, a Yeongdeungpo yakitori bar :)