Guro, Seoul bar for cheese egg rolls and coin dalgona: Eulji Pocha

The dream combo of beef brisket jjamppong soup and cheese egg rolls in a retro setting. Today I want to introduce Eulji Pocha, a great bar near Guro Digital Complex Station for stopping by after work. I'd recommend it to anyone craving good food and a cold beer with a coworker.

Eulji Pocha near Guro Digital Complex Station: exterior and retro interior

Eulji Pocha Guro Digital Complex Branch sits in an alley near Guro Digital Complex Station, a retro-style bar through and through. As soon as I arrived, the retro sign caught my eye — it felt like the old Eulji-ro alleys had been transplanted here. The flashy yet cozy lighting made it easy to spot from a distance. The whole exterior had that warm, nostalgic feel of stepping back in time.

Inside, the space had that cozy but lively pocha (street-food tent bar) energy. The walls were covered in old posters and nostalgic phrases, fun to look around at. Tables were spaced generously apart, perfect for chatting comfortably over drinks. One corner in particular stood out — a space called 'Eulji Mungbanggu' (Eulji Stationery Store). Overall the place was kept clean while still feeling cozy enough to want to linger.

What is on the Eulji Pocha menu, and what we ordered

Eulji Pocha has such a wide variety of dishes that choosing was a happy struggle. From spicy, cool soups to crispy fried dishes to filling meals, the menu was packed. And they're running a fun event that adds to the visit.

This time I ordered the beef brisket jjamppong soup, famous for its spicy broth, along with the savory, soft cheese egg rolls. I paired these with two glasses of Cass draft beer (300ml) that looked refreshing just by looking at them. The spicy, deep jjamppong soup and the sweet-and-savory cheese egg rolls were the perfect textbook combo of sweet and salty. Great as drinking snacks, but the portions were so generous they easily doubled as a full dinner.

How does the beef brisket jjamppong soup taste, and what is in it?

The beef brisket jjamppong soup came out first and its hearty visuals grabbed my attention right away. Crunchy bean sprouts were piled high like a mountain in the spicy red broth. On top sat beef brisket grilled with a subtle charcoal aroma, adding extra savory depth. One spoonful of broth and the deep, rich flavor spread through my mouth — instant stress relief.

The savory fattiness of the brisket paired with the crunchy bean sprouts made every bite satisfying. Digging a little deeper in the broth revealed chewy squid and fresh clams and other seafood. Thanks to the seafood, the broth finished even more refreshing and clean, so I kept going back for more. There was also a generous serving of chewy udon noodles included as standard, filling me up completely. With its spicy, savory broth, I felt this was the perfect drinking food.

Cass draft beer, 300ml glasses

No good food is complete without a cold Cass draft beer to go with it. The 300ml size was just right for drinking clean and refreshing without feeling too heavy. The dense, soft foam on top made every sip smooth and crisp. A bite of the spicy jjamppong soup followed by a sip of cold draft beer felt like it washed away a whole day's worth of fatigue. The clean, refreshing finish really brought out the flavor of the food.

Do the cheese egg rolls go well with the jjamppong soup?

Choosing the cheese egg rolls to pair with the spicy beef brisket jjamppong was a great call. The thick, golden-fried egg roll came out generously topped with ketchup and mayonnaise sauce. Cutting into a big piece with my chopsticks revealed the savory cheese hiding inside. One bite gave that endlessly soft egg texture wrapped in the smooth, savory flavor of the cheese.

The combination of tangy ketchup and savory mayo sauce made the egg roll's flavor even richer. This cheese egg roll gently balanced out the spicy heat of the jjamppong soup, and the pairing between the two dishes worked really well.

Making dalgona and grabbing ice cream with Eulji Mungbanggu coins

At Eulji Pocha, ordering drinks or food earns you stamp rewards plus coins exclusive to the 'Eulji Mungbanggu' corner. With the coins you receive, you can make your own cotton candy or dalgona (Korean honeycomb candy), and also try various snacks or the claw machine. I had saved up a total of 5 coins, so I made good use of them on my way out.

I made one dalgona myself and enjoyed its sweetness, and also grabbed two servings of cold ice cream, ending the night on a happy note.

Is Eulji Pocha Guro worth it? Final verdict

If you're looking for a bar with great atmosphere and food near Guro Digital Complex Station, I'd definitely recommend Eulji Pocha. The retro Eulji-ro feel makes it easy to relax and chat, and the nostalgic Eulji Mungbanggu coin event adds a little extra fun to the visit.