Guro izakaya set no. 4: sashimi and skewer combo at Robatayaki Sodam

I was looking for an izakaya with good atmosphere around Guro Digital Complex and ended up at Robatayaki Sodam Guro Digital Complex Branch.

The place really nails that Japanese izakaya mood, and with seating ranging from tachi bar to tables, it seemed like a good fit for all kinds of occasions — group hangouts, dates, whatever you're after.

But what I liked most was that the menu was well put together and reasonably priced for what you get.

A Guro izakaya with a Japanese bar atmosphere

Walk into Robatayaki Sodam Guro Digital Complex Branch and you immediately get that Japanese izakaya feeling. There's a whole range of seating, from the moody tachi bar to a table bar, so you can pick whatever suits the mood you're going for.

The table bar in particular felt like its own separate space, tucked away enough that you're not dealing with other tables' noise or eyes on you — good for a more private meal.

It seemed like a great spot for a casual drink with friends, or for quietly chatting on a date.

The house side dish was a soft-boiled fried egg — warm and savory, a nice light bite before getting into the drinks.

Can't decide? Set no. 4 at Robatayaki Sodam

What I ordered that day was set no. 4 for ₩52,000. It pairs sashimi (small) with an assorted skewer platter, and it's supposedly ₩5,000 cheaper than ordering both items separately.

Best part is the assorted skewers come with a good mix of different types, so it's perfect if you have trouble deciding what to order.

For someone like me who gets decision paralysis when there are too many menu options, a set like this is such a relief haha.

Being able to enjoy sashimi and skewers at the same time makes it a solid pick for anyone who wants to try a bit of everything.

What comes in the set: sashimi to skewers

The sashimi portion in set no. 4 was more generous than I expected. It came in a good mix of types you could enjoy variety with as a drinking snack, and given the set price, both the amount and composition felt like great value.

And the assorted skewers that came with it had a really wide variety too.

• Butter-grilled shrimp
• Chicken skewer
• Chicken neck meat
• Chicken cartilage
• Chicken skin
• Chicken heart
• Bacon-wrapped tomato
• Bacon cheese rice cake
• King oyster mushroom
• Ginkgo nuts
• Garlic

It wasn't just several kinds of chicken skewers — shrimp, bacon, and vegetables were all mixed in too, so there was fun in picking through and trying each one.

I think the biggest perk of an assorted skewer platter is getting to taste a little of many things. It's a great fit for a night when you want a variety of snacks rather than a lot of one thing.

What to drink with it: 500ml draft beer for 5,000 won

For drinks, I ordered a 500ml draft beer for ₩5,000. A cold draft beer always pairs so well with sashimi, and once the skewers joined in, the drinks just kept flowing naturally.

Since the set lets you have sashimi and skewers together, there's no need to agonize over the menu separately — it was great for enjoying a variety of snacks alongside a draft beer.

Discount games and the receipt-review ice cream

During my visit, they were running a fun discount event where you try to hit 3.33 seconds exactly. Little events like this make you want to give it a shot while you eat haha.

They were also running a Naver receipt review event — write a review and you get a vanilla cheese ice cream, so I joined in on that too.

On top of the ice cream was, unusually, steamed brown cheese — it looked totally different from a typical ice cream visually, and made for a nice dessert. Ending the drinking session with something sweet was just right.

Is Robatayaki Sodam good value for a night out in Guro?

Robatayaki Sodam Guro Digital Complex Branch really delivers that Japanese izakaya atmosphere while letting you enjoy a wide variety of sashimi and skewers.

Set no. 4 at ₩52,000 in particular lets you have both sashimi (small) and assorted skewers together, plus a ₩5,000 discount — a solid choice for anyone who cares about value for money.

And if you're the type who struggles to pick a menu, having an assorted skewer set that covers a bit of everything is a real advantage!

With seating options ranging from the tachi bar to a private table bar, it seems like it'd suit a date, a friend gathering, or just a casual drink.

If you're looking for a good-atmosphere Guro bar or a Japanese-style izakaya near Guro Digital Complex, this place is worth a visit. If you want sashimi and skewers together, I'd recommend set no. 4 without hesitation :)