Yeonnam-dong izakaya group set for 3-4 with bamboo views: Koma Yeonnam

This is a fresh-out-of-the-oven review of Koma Yeonnam, a newly opened izakaya in Yeonnam-dong that was perfect from the atmosphere to the taste.

The space makes you feel like you're actually on a trip in Japan, so if you're looking for a blind date or group gathering spot, you need to pay attention!

Where is Koma Yeonnam and how do you get there?

Koma Yeonnam (KOMA) is at 55-6 Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, basement level 1. ‼️There is another shop with the same name in Mapo-gu, so be careful when you go. Search for 연남동 383-68 on Naver Map.‼️

You can also enter Koma Yeonnam from two directions. In the photos below, it's route 1 then route 2. If Naver Map guides you along route 2, go straight in, turn left, and pass under the vines!

What are the interior and atmosphere like?

Koma Yeonnam is an izakaya with dark tones and heavy wooden furniture, giving a feeling of being in Japan. The moment I opened the door I couldn't help but gasp at the interior, which felt luxurious and cozy. The owner said they put a lot of effort into the furniture, interior, tableware, restrooms, even the powder room!

Outer bar table: for dates and blind dates

At the outer bar table of Koma Yeonnam you can watch the cooking right in front of you, so I highly recommend it for a date or blind date! 🔥

Inner table seats: groups of 4-6 and the bamboo-forest window

Inside Koma Yeonnam there are plenty of 4-6 person seats, just right for a friends' get-together or a company dinner. Once inside, I was surprised at how spacious it is! The tables are spaced widely too, so we had much more privacy than at other places in Hongdae.

The real showstopper was the bamboo-forest décor seen through the window! With lush green bamboo beyond the big glass windows, it felt like we weren't in the middle of Seoul but in some quiet izakaya in Kyoto. Pure healing.

What's in the Moim Hansang Koma Signature set (3-4 people)?

The Moim Hansang Koma Signature set (3-4 people) is Koma Yeonnam's signature menu, made up of sashimi, charcoal-grilled wagyu, Koma oden, menchi-katsu and matcha cheese tofu. Since there were three of us, we ordered this set, and the lineup was really generous, with every ingredient remarkably fresh.

1. Sashimi cake

The sashimi cake was gorgeous the moment it arrived, with luminous colors and beautiful plating. The aged fish was cut thick with a wonderfully chewy texture, clean and nutty without any fishy taste.

The ankimo (monkfish liver) was so rich and soft, and there was quite a lot of sushi rice under the fish, so you can enjoy it with seaweed or eat it like sushi! If you come to Koma Yeonnam, definitely try the sashimi!

2. Charcoal-grilled wagyu

The charcoal-grilled wagyu carried a subtle charcoal aroma, and the juices hit as soon as it went in my mouth. It was nutty and chewy. They gave us a variety of sauces too, so we could enjoy it in different ways.

3. Koma oden

Koma oden (fish cake hot pot) was a bowl with a deep, rich broth! A very large radish was simmered until soft, with a special topping on top. I looked it up and it was tororo kombu (shredded kelp)! In the broth it gives off a refreshing aroma and turns slippery and soft like maesaengi (a fine seaweed). It came with a variety of fish cakes too, so picking through them was a lot of fun. In weather like this, it's the best drinking snack.

4. Menchi-katsu

The menchi-katsu (minced meat cutlet) was the textbook crispy-outside, juicy-inside. There were four of them, and since they're all meat, they were really filling.

5. Matcha cheese tofu

The matcha cheese tofu is a palate-cleansing dessert you scoop up with honey and put on a baguette. The rich, bittersweet matcha aroma blends with the soft, thick cheese texture, and it was slightly sweet without being heavy. It was a nice way to finish.

How do the signature sochu and highballs taste?

Koma Yeonnam's signature sochu mixes Japanese-style shochu with Kirin draft beer, and its clean finish and refreshing taste paired really well with the Japanese dishes. With snacks this good, you can't skip the drinks! So we had the signature sochu and a whisky highball.

The whisky highball was refreshing while keeping the whisky's own aroma, and the flavor was quite strong and enjoyable. Be sure to have drinks with your food when you visit! Next time I want to try the matcha highball.

Tori karaage received as a service

The tori karaage (Japanese fried chicken) was a complimentary item that day: crispy fried chicken on a salad with a tangy yuzu sauce. We were already about to burst from the set alone,, but it was so good it vanished in a flash..🤤 I want it again already..

Overall verdict: is Koma Yeonnam worth a return visit?

A place with all three: dishes made polished with fresh, unusual ingredients, and a perfectly Japanese atmosphere!

Koma Yeonnam isn't just an Instagram-pretty spot; it's a cooking pub with really well-made food. You can taste the care put into ingredient quality. The owner said they came over from Japan not long ago, and maybe that's why the flavors felt so authentically Japanese! They even said they brought every single bowl directly from Japan, which showed how much love they put into the place.

If you're looking for a no-fail, truly good izakaya with a great atmosphere in Yeonnam-dong, don't hesitate and run to Koma Yeonnam! I plan to go back soon to work through the other menu items. 200% revisit!!