Sinramyeon risotto and mayo skewers: Nani Byeolgwan, Yeongdeungpo

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch, an izakaya recommendation for solo drinks or a date near Times Square. I've been exploring more of the Yeongdeungpo area lately, and this time I visited Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch, a place I loved even for its atmosphere alone🤎

Walking past across from Times Square, the exterior caught my eye — it made me want to step inside right away. It had a little of that feel of a small izakaya tucked into a Japanese alley, and once I walked in, a cozy wood-toned space opened up. The vibe was really nice.

If you're looking for a good spot for solo drinking in Yeongdeungpo, or a Yeongdeungpo izakaya with a nice atmosphere, this is one I'd recommend!

Where is Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch? Across from Times Square, with 1st-floor bar seats

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is located on the 1st floor of 183 Munnae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. It's about a 10-minute walk from Exit 3 of Yeongdeungpo Station, so it's a fine distance to walk over to after browsing around Times Square. The store is split into 1st and 2nd floors, and overall the lighting is soft and the interior is wood-toned, so the atmosphere feels warm and cozy!

In particular, the 1st floor has bar seats, so it seemed like an easy place to stop by alone for a drink. In actual visitor reviews too, it's mentioned as a spot for solo drinks, dates, and drinking gatherings — the bar seats and cozy atmosphere are the strong points.

The 2nd floor has space that works well for a group, so it also looked like a good spot for a gathering with friends.

Nani Byeolgwan menu and QR code ordering from your table

Looking through the menu at Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch, there was a wide range of good drinking-snack options, from skewers to stir-fried udon, nabe (hot pot), sashimi, and fried dishes. There's also a wide selection of drinks like highballs, sake, and soju, so it's easy to pick something to your taste! Orders are placed by checking the menu through a QR code, so you can order comfortably right from your seat.

Among Nani Byeolgwan's signature dishes, I also spotted spicy seafood yaki udon, Sinramyeon risotto, butter garlic king shrimp, and clam soju stew, which made me want to try the other menu items next time. (Diningcode)

Chicken skewers and daechang skewers: why the mayonnaise dip changes the flavor

What we ordered was chicken skewers and daechang (beef intestine) skewers! The chicken skewers arrived first, grilled to a nice golden brown, and the savory aroma alone was great. One bite in, the outside had a slight char flavor and the inside was juicy — really tasty.

They're delicious plain, but dipping them right into the mayonnaise gave a whole different flavor! Skewers really do call for a beer or highball alongside them, haha. Then the daechang skewers came out too, and they had just the right amount of fat, giving a savory, chewy texture that I loved.

Daechang has that distinctive savory flavor, so as a drinking snack, this kind of dish is honestly the best lol

What does Nani Byeolgwan's Sinramyeon risotto taste like? Crispy ramyeon on cream sauce

The Sinramyeon risotto was something I really wanted to try at Nani Byeolgwan! When I first saw the menu name, I thought, 'how do you even make risotto out of Sinramyeon (a spicy instant noodle brand)?' — but the visual alone was more legit than I expected.

The thick, smooth cream sauce had Sinramyeon's signature spiciness added in, and it cut through the richness of the cream nicely. In particular, the ramyeon layer on top was cooked slightly crispy, savory like nurungji (crispy scorched rice),

and the bacon mixed in added a salty depth of flavor that paired really well with the cream sauce. Soft cream + spicy ramyeon flavor + crispy texture, all at once — it was a fun dish. It works well as a drinking snack, but it would also be fine just eaten as a meal.

Solo drinks, dates or group nights: why Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is worth a visit

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch had soft lighting and a cozy space throughout, giving it a different kind of charm from big, loud drinking spots. I especially liked that there are bar seats, making it good for solo drinking, and there's also seating for two or larger groups, so it seems like a good fit for a date or a gathering with friends too!

It's a good place to head to after shopping or a movie at Times Square for an evening drink, and the atmosphere is also nice for a blind date or a date near Yeongdeungpo Station with a highball in hand.

Personally, I really like this kind of cozy izakaya atmosphere, so next time I want to try other skewer options and the spicy seafood yaki udon, which I heard is a popular dish.

If you're looking for a Yeongdeungpo izakaya, a bar near Yeongdeungpo Station, or a good spot near Times Square, I recommend Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch🤎 It suited both a light solo drink and a date with good snacks and drinks equally well.