# Korean bar in Bundang with mentaiko cheese potato pancake: Hwieol - By Miru Kang (https://superchart.com/en/@pocheon-back-taproom/) - Written Sep 21, 2026 - Local places › Bars › Seongnam, Gyeonggi - Sponsored: This post was written as a paid visit sponsorship. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@pocheon-back-taproom/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@pocheon-back-taproom/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/index.md) ## In short Hwieol Migeum Branch is a Korean bar (hanshik jujeom) on Migeumil-ro 74beon-gil in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, where a black-and-orange room feels like a cocktail bar but the menu is Korean drinking food. Stopping in for a second round after dinner, four of us ordered 500cc draft beers on the buy-3-get-1-free deal and finished every bite of the mentaiko cheese potato pancake and yurin-gi (fried chicken with soy-vinegar sauce) despite already being full. You walk into Hwieol Migeum Branch for the atmosphere and leave talking about the food. ## Good to know - **Location**: 25-6 Migeumil-ro 74beon-gil, 1st floor Unit 1, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do - **What we ordered**: 500cc draft beer (3+1 deal), mentaiko cheese potato pancake, yurin-gi - **Discounts**: 50% off drinks from 4pm to 6pm; 50% off drinks from your birthday through the following 15 days - **Review event**: Free ice hongsi (ice cream with frozen persimmon) for a Naver review - **Hours**: Sun-Thu 16:00-00:50 / Fri-Sat 16:00-01:50 *as written by the visitor on Sep 21, 2026* ## Why we picked Hwieol Migeum Branch for a second round near Migeum Station After dinner near Migeum Station, we were scouting for somewhere for round two when a place caught my eye from way down the street. The orange exterior stood out immediately — sleek and stylish. At first I thought it was a fancy bar or dining pub, but when I found out it was a Korean bar (hanshik jujeom, a bar serving Korean-style food with drinks), I was pulled right in. ## What the room at Hwieol looks like ![Interior of Hwieol Migeum Branch in black tones with orange accents](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-01-tdcm0-966.webp) Once inside, the vibe from the exterior carried right through. Black tones with orange accents — modern and sleek, with all kinds of liquor bottles lined up along the wall giving it a proper bar feel. The tables were sectioned off nicely for conversation, and the lighting was great too. I decided right then that Hwieol was the go-to spot for atmosphere in Gumi-dong. ![Wall lined with liquor bottles at Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-02-1s2kt-966.webp) The name Hwieol is unique too, right? It's a combination of the pure Korean word 'hwi,' meaning a vessel for measuring grain, and 'eol,' a native Korean word used similarly to 'spirit' in Hanja. Together it means 'putting our spirit into the food we make.' The vibe says bar, the menu says Korean tavern, and the name even sounds English at first — but it's actually pure Korean. That twist has real impact. ## The 3+1 draft beer deal and a soju-cola ![Glass of 500cc draft beer at Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-03-rykaq-966.webp) ![Several glasses of draft beer ordered under the 3+1 deal](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-04-hzxo0-966.webp) With a space this sleek, I figured the drinks would be pricey too, but they had a buy-3-get-1-free beer deal running, along with several other promotions I'll get to later. We ordered 500cc glasses. With the 3+1 deal, it was perfect for our group of four. Here's my current obsession: soju-cola (soju mixed with cola), 1:1 ratio. Try it — it's genuinely delicious. ## Mentaiko cheese potato pancake: the best potato pancake we've had ![A plate of cheese mentaiko potato pancake at Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-05-1sj9k-966.webp) ![Cheese mentaiko potato pancake served with mentaiko mayo sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-06-d8gzl-966.webp) Honestly, I went in thinking this was a place for the atmosphere, not expecting much from the food — but the food ended up more memorable than the vibe. This cheese mentaiko potato pancake was shockingly good. ![Cross-section of the layered sliced potato pancake](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-07-17flj-966.webp) ![A piece of cheese mentaiko potato pancake with stretchy cheese](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-08-by2w4-966.webp) ![Potato pancake dipped in mentaiko mayo sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-09-19q5q-966.webp) ![Golden-browned cheese edge of the potato pancake](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-10-1jaen-966.webp) ![Cheese mentaiko potato pancake sliced into pieces](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-11-xqxle-966.webp) Hands down the best potato pancake I've ever eaten. The potato is thinly sliced and layered whole, then pan-fried so the layers stack together. Between the thin slices there's this soft, creamy texture — it was so good I actually asked the owner what the secret was. Each slice of potato keeps its texture, and golden-browned cheese wraps around the whole pancake, so the edges are slightly crispy while the inside stays creamy. Dip it into the mentaiko mayo sauce that comes with it and — it's insane! The clean potato flavor, the stretchy savory cheese, the creamy sauce, and the salty umami of the mentaiko all hit at once. Even though we were already stuffed on round two, everyone kept saying 'this is insane' while wiping the plate clean. I'm definitely coming back to Hwieol just for this. ## Yurin-gi, with onions fried as fine as noodles ![A plate of yurin-gi at Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-12-1nmfx-966.webp) Already stunned by the cheese mentaiko pancake, and then the yurin-gi (crispy fried chicken with a tangy-sweet sauce) hit us again! ![Crispy fried yurin-gi chicken](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-13-lo6tk-966.webp) ![Fried chicken soaked in yurin-gi sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-14-12awr-966.webp) ![Yurin-gi topped with tangy-sweet sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-15-128kh-966.webp) ![Fried chicken and fried onion picked up together](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-16-k52kc-966.webp) The outside is crispy enough to hear it crack, while the chicken inside stays moist and tender — the fry itself is just well done. Take a bite of the crispy fried chicken together with the fried onion, soaked in the yurin-gi sauce, and it's crunchy, tangy-sweet, spicy, and sweet all at once. It just explodes in your mouth. The sauce brings tangy sweetness plus a chili kick that cuts right through the greasiness of the fried chicken. ![Onions fried thin like noodles for the yurin-gi](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-17-bpupf-966.webp) Another kicker of Hwieol's yurin-gi is the onions — sliced thin and long like noodles, then fried, so you get this crispy, sweet onion flavor coming through. So good. And you'd never guess this was a second-round crowd — we cleaned the plate completely, haha. I hope Hwieol just takes over both Gumi-dong and Migeum Station! ## Ice hongsi, the free Naver review dessert ![Ice hongsi received from the review event](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-18-kniks-966.webp) We even got an ice hongsi (ice cream + frozen persimmon) from the review event — a sweet, perfect finish! ## Happy hour and birthday discounts at Hwieol Migeum Branch - 50% off alcohol from 4-6pm - 50% off alcohol from your birthday through 15 days after - Discounts also running on salmon sashimi and salmon salad ![Sign for Hwieol Migeum Branch's alcohol discount event](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-19-1l3iv-966.webp) A sleek atmosphere with friendly drink prices — is this even allowed? Other bars need to step up their game. From now on, Gumi-dong gatherings are happening at Hwieol, no question. ## Is Hwieol Migeum Branch worth a visit? ![Food and beer on the table at Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-20-19vhh-m-966.webp) ![Seating area at Hwieol Migeum Branch under warm lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-21-bz299-966.webp) ![Orange-accented space inside Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-22-11r2l-966.webp) ![Wide view of the drinking session at Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-23-osp5k-966.webp) I walked in drawn by the sleek exterior, found the inside even more atmospheric, discovered it was actually a Korean bar, and then got completely blindsided by how good the food was. On top of all that, the value is great too — I'd call this an irreplaceable bar in the Migeum Station area. Hwieol: you go in for the vibe, and you leave stunned by the food. If you want great atmosphere and delicious food with your drinks near Migeum Station, definitely check out Hwieol! ![Representative image of Hwieol Migeum Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake-24-5ezbc-1200.webp) ### Hwieol Migeum Branch opening hours - Sun-Thu 16:00 - 00:50 - Fri-Sat 16:00 - 01:50 ## Where it is - Hwieol Migeum Branch (휘얼 미금점) - 25-6 Migeumil-ro 74beon-gil, 1st floor Unit 1, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea - 경기도 성남시 분당구 미금일로74번길 25-6 1층1호 - 37.3479742, 127.1111697 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%ED%9C%98%EC%96%BC%20%EB%AF%B8%EA%B8%88%EC%A0%90/@37.3479742,127.1111697,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@pocheon-back-taproom/whueol-migeum-mentaiko-cheese-potato-pancake/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt