Yeonnam-dong Japanese restaurant with counter seats: Jongno Donburi

I’d been fasting until 3 pm after going to a baking one-day class from the morning... So I thought I absolutely had to have a delicious meal, and headed to Jongno Donburi Yeonnam, a Japanese restaurant in Yeonnam-dong!! I found it while looking for Japanese food in Yeonnam-dong. I visited alone, and luckily, since it was around 3 pm rather than a main mealtime, I was able to walk straight in without waiting.

Even at that in-between hour, Jongno Donburi Yeonnam had plenty of people. There are various seating options, from counter seats to tables for four. Here goes my review of the sake tarako don and handmade potato cream croquette I had at Jongno Donburi Yeonnam!

Jongno Donburi Yeonnam 📍Jongno Donburi Yeonnam, 9 Donggyo-ro 46-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

As soon as I sat at the counter, warm soup, danmuji (pickled radish), and pickled vegetables came out first. One sip of the piping-hot soup and I felt completely soothed... The weather has gotten cooler, so I’d been craving something warm haha. It was nice.

I took a seat at the counter. The staff were so kind and the atmosphere was really comfortable, so I felt good as soon as I sat down!! If you’re looking for a Japanese restaurant with counter seating in Yeonnam-dong, or a great spot for eating alone there, I highly recommend it 👍🏻

Menu and What I Ordered

Jongno Donburi Yeonnam had a big menu board at the entrance. It’s nice that you can look over the menu while waiting! From donburi rice bowls to nabe hot pots, noodles, and special selections, the menu looks simple but is actually very well-rounded haha.

I ordered the sake tarako don and handmade potato cream croquette.

How Was the White Pollock Roe in the Sake Tarako Don?

The sake tarako don is sold in limited quantities every day. I can’t resist a limited menu item. Sake tarako don is a same-day-only menu featuring Jongno Donburi’s signature sake don topped with premium white pollock roe.

Just look at how generous it is... The salmon is cut thick enough that even one piece fills your mouth. If you’re looking for a great sake don or salmon rice bowl in Yeonnam-dong, don’t miss the signature menu~~

It was my first time trying white pollock roe, and turns out I like it? It wasn’t fishy at all; instead, it had great savory depth. A sake don made with salmon alone can get a little rich, but the white pollock roe felt like it held everything perfectly in balance. Overall, it tasted so much better.

It was great piled on with salmon, but it was seriously delicious even with lots of white pollock roe over the rice on its own. Thanks to the roe, I enjoyed every bite right down to the last spoonful without getting tired of it. It would be perfect for a date in Yeonnam-dong too. Haha.

Why I Added the Handmade Potato Cream Croquette

The handmade potato cream croquette was the definition of crispy outside and soft inside. The coating was crisp, while the inside was creamy potato—rich and nutty, and delicious bite after bite...

It was even better dipped in its dedicated sauce. Looking for a great croquette in Yeonnam-dong? Go to Jongno Donburi Yeonnam.

I cut it in half, and it was really packed with filling!! It was delicious even once cooled, and even better while hot. Honestly, one bowl of sake don alone doesn’t quite fill me up, so I always order a side—and I hugely recommend the potato cream croquette.

Is There a Wait at 3 pm on Weekends?

When I visited at around 3 pm on a weekend, I could sit at the counter right away without waiting. Since it’s a popular Yeonnam-dong restaurant, waiting is probably unavoidable at times, but if you want to avoid it, visiting during an in-between hour like I did is a handy little tip!