Dongtan Korean pub set: Chapagetti and pa-kimchi at Jusangnakwon

You've probably heard that Dongtan's Bukgwangjang (north plaza) area is having a moment for bars with good food to go with your drinks. I was looking for somewhere near the north plaza to have dinner and a light drink, and ended up at a Korean bar-restaurant called Jusangnakwon.

Cutting to the conclusion first: this is "a bar that cooks like a proper restaurant." None of the dishes felt like throwaway drinking snacks — everything was real cooking, so it's an easy place to bring people for a work dinner or a date without worrying.

What is Jusangnakwon? A Dongtan Korean pub where the bar snacks are real cooking

Jusangnakwon apparently started as a small shop in Geumgok-dong, Suwon, and this Dongtan location is their third branch. Maybe that's why the menu isn't just drinking snacks — it's built around noodles, pancakes, grilled dishes, boiled meats, and nabe (hot pot), all substantial enough to count as a real meal.

For someone like me whose goal was "eat a proper meal and drink a little," it was perfect. There are also signature items like jjamppong pasta, cheongyang chili cream pasta, and perilla oil tofu kimchi — so this isn't the kind of place you go purely to drink.

Floor 1 and the loft on floor 2: does Jusangnakwon work for a Dongtan group dinner?

Jusangnakwon Dongtan Bukgwangjang branch spans two floors, and the high ceilings kept it from feeling cramped or stuffy. The 1st floor has a slightly dim mood with the open kitchen visible, while the 2nd floor feels bright, like a loft — so you can pick whichever suits your mood.

The 2nd floor is set up for small gatherings of around 20 people, so it looks like a solid option if you're searching for a group dinner spot in Dongtan. Ordering is done via tablet at each table, which made it easy to browse menu photos and prices at my own pace.

Crispy shrimp and minari pancake, the makgeolli match

First we ordered the crispy shrimp minari (water dropwort) pancake. The distinctive fragrance of the minari came through while the edges were fried nice and crispy. It wasn't a greasy pancake but a clean, light one — perfect for the first bite when you're just starting to drink.

They didn't skimp on the minari, so the aroma was strong, and it paired really well with makgeolli (rice wine). Not overly seasoned, just the kind of pancake that makes you say "this is good."

Chapagetti and pa-kimchi set: the most memorable dish at Jusangnakwon

What impressed me most at Jusangnakwon was, surprisingly, the pa-kimchi (green onion kimchi). Jjapaguri (black bean noodles) comes as a set with pa-kimchi — the jjapaguri arrives in a pot, chewy and well-reduced.

But this pa-kimchi was so well-fermented it was eye-opening — great mixed with the noodles, and great eaten on its own too, I kept going back for more. Personally, I'd say Jusangnakwon deserves to be called a pa-kimchi specialist. Seeing such a familiar dish done this well shows a place with solid fundamentals.

Aged kimchi pork cutlet nabe, enough for two

The main event that day was the aged kimchi pork cutlet nabe (hot pot). A whole pork cutlet bigger than the palm of your hand sat on top, so the visual alone was reassuring.

The broth was tangy and spicy kimchi soup, packed with mushrooms and egg. Above all, the pork cutlet was thick, meaty cuts with a satisfying bite. The portion was huge — enough to fill two people — and the clear-yet-spicy broth was perfect as a drinking snack too.

A Dongtan spot that works as both dinner and drinks

To sum up, Jusangnakwon is a bar that cooks like it means it. It holds its own both as a Dongtan bar recommendation and a hearty Korean restaurant recommendation, making it a great pick when you want dinner and drinks together in the evening.

Starting light with the minari pancake and finishing hearty with the nabe left the two of us just the right amount of full. It covers dates, work dinners, and casual drinks alike, so if you're stuck on where to go near Dongtan's north plaza, it's worth a try.

Hours, parking and what to know before visiting Jusangnakwon

• Name: Jusangnakwon Dongtan Bukgwangjang branch
• Location: 32 Dongtanjungsimsangga 2-gil, 1st floor, unit 105, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 17:00–03:00
• Last order: 02:30
• Payment: Local currency card, mobile easy pay
• Parking: Free basement parking available
• Amenity: Corkage allowed