Late-night bar in Seongbuk, Seoul: kelp-cured sashimi at Coco's

I was looking for a spot near Sungshin Women's University Station that's not just a place to drink but somewhere with genuinely well-made, delicious food at fair prices. Turns out I found a bar with serious depth — it started as a street cart and has held down this same spot for a whopping 13 years.

You can feel the owner's heartfelt cooking skill and warm philosophy in every bite, built up over all those years. Sitting there, I just felt so comfortable and cozy the whole time at Coco's Sungshin Women's University branch.

Where Coco's is, opening hours and parking

Coco's Sungshin Women's University branch is on the 2nd floor at 7 Dongsomun-ro 20da-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. It's open Monday to Saturday 17:00–03:00, and Sundays 17:00–01:00.

• 🍻 Coco's Sungshin Women's University branch
• ⏰ Hours: Mon–Sat 17:00–03:00 / Sun 17:00–01:00
• 📍 Address: 7 Dongsomun-ro 20da-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 2nd floor, South Korea
• 🚘 Parking: none! (Seongbuk-gu Office parking lot is a 6-minute walk away. First 30 minutes free on weekdays, 1 hour free on weekends, then ₩1,000 per 30 minutes. No exit allowed after 22:00.)
• 🐕 Pets: not allowed!

It's only about a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Sungshin Women's University Station, so it's easy to find.

Inside the second floor: group hall and small hall

Once you're inside, the space is neatly split into two areas: a group hall and a small hall. If you want a lively, energetic vibe, the group hall is the way to go, and if you'd rather have a quieter, more intimate conversation, the cozy small hall is perfect.

There's also a big screen set up inside, so it'd be great to visit on a day when there's a sports match, or whenever you want to enjoy an exciting group atmosphere.

One wall has a huge window that opens right up like a terrace, so the whole time I was there I felt a great sense of openness. Even sitting indoors, it felt like being out on an outdoor terrace, with cool breeze drifting in pleasantly — no stuffiness at all.

There's even a claw machine inside the shop. It's fun to pop a coin in while waiting for the food to arrive, and also fun to bet against your friends after a few drinks haha.

The dogs behind the name: welsh corgis Deokhui and Deoknam

And Coco's has some special mascots! The owner has two welsh corgis, which is why the shop is named Coco's. Cute, right?

Sure enough, the owner's dogs Deokhui and Deoknam were reliably holding down the fort inside the shop. Just keep in mind that because Deokhui and Deoknam are around, other pets aren't allowed in — please note this!

What's on the food menu at Coco's

On top of everything else, the menu was so varied that even a group of friends with totally different tastes could visit without any hassle and each pick exactly what they wanted.

The options ranged from light nibbles to hearty dishes that could fill you up. It's a great setup for a group visit where everyone orders a bunch of different things to share — it would work perfectly as a gathering spot.

Konbujime kelp-cured sashimi, medium platter: 39,900 won

Medium-size konbujime-cured sashimi at a 20% discounted price (₩39,900). The owner apparently handles the whole process himself, from breaking down the fish to trimming it — first a light salt-curing, then a second round of curing with kelp (konbujime).

Maybe that's why there was zero fishy smell typical of salmon, and the more I chewed, the better the savory flavor got.

It melted softly the moment it hit my mouth, and paired with a cold beer, it was honestly the best combination. Even the little duck-shaped sauce dish was so cute.

Mussel and clam soup: 18,900 won

Mussel and clam soup (₩18,900). Loaded generously with fresh mussels and clams, the broth was really clear and refreshing. Once I picked up the spoon, I couldn't stop — spicy yet deep in flavor, a perfect soju-and-beer pairing that also soothed my stomach while drinking.

The udon noodles soaked up all that rich clam broth, filling me up reliably right to the last bite.

Stir-fried pork skin: 13,900 won

Stir-fried pork skin (₩13,900). It came out chewy with no off smell, fun to chew on, and the spicy-sweet sauce soaked right in — I kept reaching for more.

All the dishes went so well with drinks that the soju just kept flowing.

Why Coco's works for group nights and a second round

Having Coco's cute mascots hanging around while drinking made it even better haha (okay, that's my personal bias). Anyone who loves animals, or fellow pet owners, will absolutely love Coco's.

Group bookings and reservations are available, so if you're near Sungshin Women's University looking for a bar with a great atmosphere and genuinely delicious food, definitely stop by. You'll have a great time with a warm welcome from Deokhui and Deoknam!

With reasonable prices and a wide menu, Coco's Sungshin Women's University branch is a bar near Sungshin Women's University that's easy to visit anytime, from your first round to late into the night.