Hapjeong Korean bar for squid and water celery salad: Bako Jumak
In short
Bako Jumak is a Korean bar (jumak) on a Dokmak-ro side street in Mapo, Seoul, within walking distance of Hapjeong Station, decorated like an old tavern with blue paper lanterns, A-frame carriers and woven baskets. The order was hanwoo suji-tang (Korean beef tendon soup) at 25,000 won with minari-ojingeo-chomuchim (water celery and squid in tangy vinegar sauce) at 17,000 won, alternating warm broth with the sharp, sour salad. Bako Jumak stays open late, which makes it an easy choice for a second round or a late drinking session in Hapjeong.
Good to know
- Hanwoo suji-tang (Korean beef tendon soup)
- 25,000 won
- Minari-ojingeo-chomuchim (water celery and squid salad)
- 17,000 won
- Complimentary snack
- Puffed corn (gangnaengi)
- Seating
- Two-person tables up to larger group tables
- Restrooms
- Separate men's and women's; women's indoors, men's outside in the building to the right
- Location
- 1st floor, 27 Dokmak-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul; walking distance from Hapjeong Station
as written by the visitor on Sep 21, 2026
Today I'm introducing a great spot in Hapjeong for Korean bar snacks with a drink. There are so many stylish bars in Hapjeong~ but among them, the one where I really felt that Korean jumak (traditional tavern) vibe was Bako Jumak haha.
It's decked out with blue paper lanterns 🏮 and traditional props, so it has a warmer, more nostalgic feel than a typical bar, and since it's open late, it seemed like a good spot for a second round or a late-night drinking session.
Now let's get into the honest review :)
Where is Bako Jumak and what does it look like from outside?
Bako Jumak is within walking distance of Hapjeong Station. Walking along the Hapjeong alleys, the sign and exterior have a strong jumak feel so it wasn't hard to find. Right from the entrance it felt different from a regular bar — the blue paper lantern decorations caught my eye, and I really felt like I was walking into a jumak, true to its name 🏮
I liked that the menu was posted around the entrance, so you could check what kind of snacks they serve before going in. The location was also convenient for a second round after dinner in Hapjeong, or for drinking from evening into late night.
Inside Bako Jumak: blue paper lanterns and graffiti-covered walls
Walking inside, the warm wood tones caught my eye first. The soft lighting blended well with the traditional props placed around the space, giving it a charm different from the bars you commonly see these days.
Blue paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, and the walls have Korean props like jige (A-frame carriers) and baskets, so overall it felt like an old-school jumak given a modern touch. Look closely at the walls and you'll also find them covered in graffiti left by past customers. It was fun reading through them one by one, and it made the space feel even more nostalgic knowing so many people have passed through over the years haha.
The tables ranged from seats for two up to larger group tables, so it looked good for a date as well as gatherings with friends or a work dinner. Overall the atmosphere wasn't too quiet or stiff — it felt comfortable for a relaxed drink and conversation 🍶
The restrooms are separated by gender. The women's restroom is inside, while the men's is outside the building, inside the building to the right.
What we ordered: beef tendon soup 25,000 won and water celery squid salad 17,000 won
First, the basic side of popped corn (gangnyeongi) came out.
We ordered two menu items.
- 🥘 Hanwoo suji-tang (Korean beef tendon soup) ₩25,000
- 🌿🦑 Minari-ojingeo-chomuchim (water celery & squid vinegar salad) ₩17,000
We started with the signature dish, hanwoo suji-tang.
How does the hanwoo suji-tang taste?
Once ordered, the hanwoo suji-tang is simmered right at the table, so just the bubbling visual already gave off that classic drinking-snack feel. The broth was clear and light, going down clean and unfussy from the first sip. Best of all, the suji (beef tendon) inside gave it a charm different from a typical soup dish — one bite and it was chewy yet tender, and simmered long and served hot, it paired really well with soju.
Various vegetables were mixed in too, adding a subtle fragrance to the broth, and chili peppers here and there kept it from feeling too rich.
It was especially good for scooping up a spoonful whenever you craved something warm mid-drink. And then the minari-ojingeo-chomuchim we ordered together! 🌿🦑
Why the water celery and squid salad pairs so well
A tangy-sauced dish combining minari (water celery) and squid, it was a completely different kind of snack from the hanwoo suji-tang. The fragrant minari and chewy squid worked together to perk up the appetite, and thanks to the tangy sauce it went well as a drinking snack too. Eating the warm, mild suji-tang and then switching to the tangy minari-ojingeo-chomuchim in between, the contrast between the two dishes made for a great combo.
Rather than ordering just one dish, having a warm soup snack alongside a tangy salad menu meant we could enjoy variety without getting tired of either till the end.
They seem to run various events with Hanmac beer. Next time I'll have to try the Hanmac haha.
Final verdict on Bako Jumak in Hapjeong
The jumak atmosphere styled with blue paper lanterns and traditional props was charming, and there was a good range of menu items to enjoy with drinks, from warm soup snacks like hanwoo suji-tang to the tangy minari-ojingeo-chomuchim. If you're looking for a Korean bar with a traditional feel in Hapjeong, I'd recommend Bako Jumak :) Since it's open late, it was especially good for a second round or a late-night drinking session in Hapjeong 🍶
It was a delicious meal :)
Where it is
27 Dokmak-ro 7-gil, 1st floor, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 마포구 독막로7길 27 1층
