Hyehwa cocktail bar, Mango Cooler and truffle squid: Oneuldo Hanjan

A few days ago I spent time in Daehak-ro with a friend for the first time in a while. We had a late lunch, wandered the streets chatting, and decided to spend a bit more time somewhere with a nice atmosphere. Luckily there was Oneuldo Hanjan (오늘도 한잔), a budget-friendly Daehak-ro cocktail bar where you can enjoy a wide range of cocktails without worrying about the bill, so we dropped in.

I like cocktails in general, so I was curious what was on the menu. There were more kinds than I expected, and the atmosphere was great for a relaxed chat with my friend.

Oneuldo Hanjan is near Hyehwa Station, so it was easy to get to. It works well after watching a show, and it's a no-pressure spot for a casual drink with friends. There are plenty of bars in Daehak-ro, but sometimes it's hard to decide where to go. Being close to Hyehwa Station, this looked like a good choice for anyone searching for a Daehak-ro cocktail bar.

Where is Oneuldo Hanjan, and what are the hours and parking?

Oneuldo Hanjan is at 39-5 Daemyeong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (basement level 1), 223m from Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on Line 4. It's open from 17:00 to 01:00 the next day. There's no parking, so you'll need to use a nearby public car park.

• Location: 39-5 Daemyeong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, B1 (223m from Hyehwa Station Exit 4)
• Hours: 17:00 to 01:00 the next day
• Parking: not available; use a nearby public car park

Does the basement bar feel stuffy?

The bar is in a basement, but it was much more pleasant than I expected. The ventilation is well managed, so nothing felt stuffy, and the soft lighting made it cozy. A big screen on one side added to the mood too. It wasn't noisy, so it was a good place to sit and talk with a friend.

Oneuldo Hanjan just after opening on a weekday

I went right after opening on a weekday, so it was quiet and relaxed, though I could imagine the evening hours getting livelier. It's a comfortable place for a chat, so it looked like a decent Hyehwa date-night bar as well.

Oneuldo Hanjan cocktail prices and menu

The first thing that caught my eye was the price. Every cocktail is ₩6,900, which, considering prices these days, felt easy on the wallet.

Besides cocktails there are also wine and whisky, so you can choose to suit your taste, and the menu has lots of variety. The alcohol strengths vary too, so you can pick what you like, from a day when you want something light to a day when you want something stronger.

They gave us a glass of wine each as a complimentary extra, and basic snacks came out too. While browsing the menu, the truffle oil squid caught my eye so I ordered it, and the price was reasonable. There were so many cocktails that I hesitated for a moment, but I took a recommendation and chose without much trouble.

How were the cocktails and truffle oil squid?

When our cocktails arrived, the colors were so pretty that I spent a good while taking photos first.^^ Come to think of it, it had been ages since I'd been to a cocktail bar at all. Seeing such colorful drinks put me in a good mood, and it was a lovely Daehak-ro bar for a relaxed time chatting with a friend.

Truffle oil squid

The truffle oil squid is made with semi-dried squid, so it wasn't tough and was soft and easy to eat. The truffle aroma wasn't overpowering, and the nutty flavor blended well. Best of all, it wasn't salty, so it was good on its own, and the portion was more generous than I expected.

Aquamarine and Peach Crush cocktails

First, the Aquamarine was a cocktail with apricot, blue, lime and apple juice. The fresh fruity aromas blended nicely, it was easy to drink, and the cool color was pretty too.

The Peach Crush is vodka-based with peach, lime juice and cranberry juice. Sweet and tangy together, it was easy and light. If you usually like peach-flavored drinks, it should suit you.

Mango Cooler for light drinkers

The Mango Cooler had mango, orange, lime and soda. At around 6% ABV it's fairly light, so I think it would suit people who don't handle alcohol well.

I went without big expectations, but the cocktail selection was wide and the snacks were good. The atmosphere was comfortable too, so I thought it would be great for a casual drink with friends or a stop after a show.

Is Oneuldo Hanjan a good-value cocktail bar in Daehak-ro?

I had such a good time at this Daehak-ro cocktail bar that I'm now curious how the other menu items taste. If you want both atmosphere and good value, it's worth dropping in for an affordable cocktail in Daehak-ro. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a Hyehwa Station date-night bar, or for bars in Daehak-ro and cocktail bars near Hyehwa Station in general.