Jeungsan Station izakaya in Seoul: pick your own sake cup at Tenjo

These days you don't have to travel far to spend a special evening in a great space with good food. This time we visited an izakaya in Seodaemun, a well-loved little bar near Jeungsan called Simyasikdang Tenjo (심야식당 텐조).

I already have a soft spot for izakayas full of Japanese atmosphere, but this visit felt a bit more special. Even with two kids in tow, our family of four could relax and enjoy the meal comfortably, and the space itself had such a good vibe that for a moment it felt like we'd taken a little trip to Japan.

If you're looking for a quiet but atmospheric bar or dinner spot near Jeungsan-dong, this kind of place should really hit the spot. Soft lighting, a cozy feel, and that particular comfort of a Japanese-style space — the mood lifts the moment you walk in.

What is the atmosphere like at Simyasikdang Tenjo?

The first thing I felt walking through the door was, "this really feels like a small izakaya in Japan." Anyone who's traveled to Japan recently knows what I mean — the small local pubs there aren't flashy, they're understated and warm, and that's exactly the charm they have. Simyasikdang Tenjo was full of that same feeling.

Every little detail, from the lighting to the layout, worked to build the mood, and instead of a loud, rowdy bar feel, it was calm and good for actually having a conversation.

Since we were visiting with kids, we tend to prefer places that aren't too loud or overwhelming, and this was great for a family visit. We spent the time eating good food and chatting with the kids, but at the same time it had that special feeling of having dinner while traveling in Japan, which made it even more memorable.

Waiting and table time at Tenjo: what to know

Simyasikdang Tenjo opened in 2018 and has been running as this Seodaemun izakaya ever since. It's already known as a Jeungsan hotspot, so there can be a wait, and if there are people waiting, a 3-hour table time limit may apply — worth keeping in mind.

The food menu was varied, and true to a Seodaemun izakaya, the drinks menu had plenty of choice too, so there was fun in picking.

Picking your own sake cup at this Jeungsan Station izakaya

When you order sake, you get to pick your own cup too — I chose a raccoon-shaped one. So cute, right?!

The three dishes we ordered at Simyasikdang Tenjo

We wanted to try a range of dishes, so we ordered a variety. What we picked was the 6-piece yakitori set, sukiyaki, and whole snow crab guts pasta — we needed something the kids could eat too, and also wanted to try something special for the adults. In the end, every dish we ordered was satisfying.

The 6-piece yakitori set

The dish I was most looking forward to was, of course, the yakitori (skewered grilled chicken). It's a must-have at any Japanese-style izakaya, so I really wanted to try it, and with several different varieties it was fun to pick and choose. Each one had a different texture and flavor, which was great, and comparing notes on which skewer was best was fun too. The skewers with a subtle charcoal aroma really matched the izakaya mood. Eating the warm yakitori, I understood why so many people love Japanese-style skewers.

Sukiyaki: warm and deeply savory

Sukiyaki was the dish the whole family liked. Since it's eaten with a warm broth, the kids could enjoy it easily too, and there was fun in sharing it at the table together. The meat and various ingredients came together nicely, and thanks to the deep flavor of the broth, I kept reaching for more. Eating warm sukiyaki in such a nice atmosphere made the meal even more satisfying — it seems like the kind of dish you'd crave on a cold, windy day.

The standout: whole blue crab innards pasta

One of the most memorable dishes was the whole snow crab guts pasta. It was refreshing to find a dish like this at a Japanese-style izakaya, and it caught the eye visually from the start. The crab flavor blended with the pasta for a distinctive charm, quite different from any pasta I'd had before. The deep seafood flavor really came through, so I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit special.

Even though everyone in the family has different tastes, we were all satisfied overall with what we ordered, so we finished the meal in a great mood.

Looking for an izakaya in Seodaemun, Seoul?

Visiting Simyasikdang Tenjo this time, I felt it's less a place to simply eat and more a place to enjoy the atmosphere along with the food. Good food matters, but these days who you spend time with, and in what kind of space, matters just as much. In that sense, this place delivered on food, atmosphere, and comfort all at once. It wasn't overwhelming for a family visit with kids like ours, and the mood suited couples on a date or friends having a quiet drink together just as well.

If you want a special evening in Jeungsan-dong, or you're looking for a Seodaemun izakaya full of Japanese atmosphere, Simyasikdang Tenjo would be a great choice. It was an evening where, without flying all the way to Japan, we got to feel like we were traveling somewhere close by — full from the delicious food and satisfied at heart thanks to the great atmosphere. It's a place I'd like to come back to the next time I want a special meal somewhere with a great mood.