Bossam and mix-and-match pancakes at Jeongju Ilga, Mapo bar

Today I visited Jeongju Ilga (정주일가), a Korean bar in Mangwon-dong known for its food.

It's a place where you can enjoy traditional Korean liquor alongside a variety of Korean-style bar food, and it's a solid spot for a date or drinks with friends on Mangridan-gil. Here's my honest review.

Location and hours

• 🍽️ Jeongju Ilga
• 📍 66 Poeun-ro, 1F Jeongju Ilga, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🚇 558m from Mangwon Station Exit 2
• ⏰ 18:00 - 02:00, last order 01:00
• 📌 Reservations/groups OK, takeout/delivery available, pet-friendly, Wi-Fi, gender-separated restrooms, no parking

What does the exterior look like?

I took some photos of the outside first.

It has a clean, modern look that catches your eye even just passing by. Mangwon-dong already has so many great restaurants, and a traditional-liquor bar with this kind of vibe seems like a great addition.

There was a simple menu board and a waitlist sign by the entrance. We managed to squeeze in without waiting, haha. The name Jeongju Ilga is meaningful too — it means 'right, liquor, one, house,' or 'the first house selling proper Korean liquor.' Traditional liquor can feel intimidating or heavy, but Jeongju Ilga is a space where you can enjoy Korean liquor more casually.

Interior and how to order

Let's go inside.

Overall it's clean and modern. I expected a traditional-liquor bar to feel old-fashioned, but the atmosphere was more stylish than I thought. Not bad for a date spot, right? Haha.

The tables were neatly arranged, and you can order directly through a tablet ordering system. They're also running a photo review event — you get a fried Spam gift, so keep that in mind 🍳. It seems like a great place to visit with coworkers or friends, order several dishes, and drink together. Jeongju Ilga says its food is prepared with care by skilled Korean cooks 👩‍🍳.

The basic side dishes were seriously good 🥰. Honestly every item on the menu seems to pair well with drinks.

Menu and prices

• Signature) Jeongju bossam ₩27,000
• Signature) Cha-dol doenjang jeongol (beef brisket soybean paste hotpot) ₩22,000
• Signature) Half-and-half jeon ₩20,000
• Hanwoo cheese yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) ₩22,000
• Bulgogi chive pancake ₩20,000
• Cheese kimchi pancake ₩18,000
• Pepperoni potato pancake ₩18,000
• Tofu kimchi ₩18,000
• Steamed clams with liquor ₩15,000
• Seafood odeng (fish cake) soup ₩21,000

The menu lineup is pretty diverse, isn't it? From bossam to hotpot, pancakes, soup, and raw beef tartare, there's plenty to choose from if you come with a group. Of course, when I visit somewhere for the first time, I have to start with the signature menu, haha.

Jeongju bossam

This is Jeongju Ilga's signature dish.

It's tender pork served with tangy kimchi — bossam (boiled pork wrap) really is best eaten with kimchi :) It's a great match for drinking, and it would taste even better with traditional liquor. I had it with soju and beer, haha.

Half-and-half jeon

This lets you enjoy bulgogi chive pancake and cheese kimchi pancake at the same time.

When you want to try both but can't decide, just order the half-and-half jeon :) I love that this option exists.

Side menu

There's also a wide range of side dishes, so if the main menu isn't enough, just order more!

• (Available after ordering a main dish)
• Dried pollock (meoktae) ₩14,000
• Steamed clams with liquor ₩15,000
• Canned yellow peaches ₩11,000
• Rolled egg ₩10,000
• Seafood ramen ₩10,000
• Bulgogi sesame bibim noodles ₩10,000
• Banquet noodles (janchi guksu) ₩8,000
• Cha-dol porridge/rice (after ordering doenjang jeongol) ₩4,000
• Cucumber salad ₩4,000
• Extra noodles ₩2,000

Jeongju Ilga offers such a wide range of traditional liquor and Korean side dishes that you might come for a light drink and end up having a full meal's worth of food, haha.

How is it as a date or group spot?

The clean atmosphere makes it a good choice for a date in Mangwon-dong, and it also works well for group get-togethers or company dinners.

Reservations and group use are both available, so keep that in mind if you're planning to visit. Being pet-friendly is also a nice bonus :) Just note that parking isn't available, so if you're driving, plan ahead.

Final thoughts

Jeongju Ilga is a great find in Mangwon-dong that I came across while looking for a bar on Mangridan-gil — clean, modern atmosphere, a wide variety of Korean side dishes, and a comfortable way to enjoy traditional liquor!

With options ranging from bossam to hotpot, pancakes, and raw beef tartare, it's great for drinks with friends or a date in Mangwon-dong. If you're looking for a nice-atmosphere Korean bar or a traditional-liquor spot in Mangwon-dong, give Jeongju Ilga a try :) Worth saving as a go-to place for Korean bar food and drinks, haha.