Hwayang-dong bar with ₩9,900 beef tartare bibimbap: Yukhoe Gongjakso

Looking for a spot near Hwayang-dong to grab dinner and a drink at the same time, I went to Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch, where you can eat everything from beef tartare and salmon to yakiniku. It's close to both Konkuk University and Sejong University, so it seemed like a solid option for students' dinners or group get-togethers. With its izakaya-style vibe, it also looked like a good date spot, so here's my honest review.

Where is Yukhoe Gongjakso in Hwayang-dong, and where do you park?

Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch is located on the 1st floor of 50 Gunja-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, between Children's Grand Park Station and Konkuk University Station.

It's a 5-minute walk from the subway station, so it's easy to get to, and it's also close to the Sejong University back-gate food alley and Konkuk University, making it a good spot for students to grab dinner and a drink.

There's no dedicated parking lot for the restaurant, so if you're coming by car, you'll need to use a nearby public parking lot.

I used the Dongdo Centreville Campus Park parking lot right next door. Parking was 3,000 won per 30 minutes, and you could get 2 hours of parking if you spent over 10,000 won at the Daiso Hwayang-dong branch, so that's worth keeping in mind if you're driving.

Inside Yukhoe Gongjakso: solo seats, booths and a table for 30

Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch has a partitioned booth layout with everything from single seats to group seating for 30. Even on a weekday evening, the Hwayang-dong food alley itself was pretty crowded.

With its cozy-looking exterior, Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch stays open into the early morning until sunrise, so it seemed good not just for dinner and a first round of drinks, but also for a second or third round when you're in the mood for one more drink.

There are single seats inside, so it looked comfortable to visit for a solo drink too. Every table has its own partition, which made it easy to chat with your group while drinking.

There's also group seating for up to 30 people, so it looked like a good option for Sejong University or Konkuk University students looking for a spot for student council or club dinners.

The restroom is also inside the restaurant, which was convenient since you don't need to step outside while drinking.

Yukhoe Gongjakso menu and the unlimited egg soup starter

The menu at Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch runs from beef tartare and salmon to yakiniku, soups, and pig's trotters, plus add-on items in the 3,000-won range.

The menu was varied, covering not just beef tartare and salmon but also yakiniku, soups, and pig's trotters. There were also budget-friendly add-on items around 3,000 won, making it easy to enjoy a drink or two without much pressure.

The basic side dish was a warm egg soup. With soft egg in a hot broth, it was nice to have a spoonful before the main dishes arrived. The egg soup came with unlimited refills, so it was great to pair with soju whenever you wanted a warm broth in between drinks.

Beef sashimi and salmon yakiniku table set, 55,900 won

Beef sashimi salmon yakiniku table set, 55,900 won. It's a set menu where you can eat beef sashimi, salmon, and yakiniku together, and it also includes self-made rice balls. They set out the rice ball ingredients first, so I made my own while waiting for the main dishes.

The set also included 2 highballs, so I ordered one grapefruit and one orange.

Both were fresh and sweet, so taking a sip between bites of beef tartare or grilled meat felt refreshing.

A plate of salmon and beef sashimi also came out. The salmon was sliced thick, giving it a nice soft texture, and the beef sashimi was juicy with a satisfying chewy bite.

With sharp wasabi and crunchy onion added, the soft salmon was good to eat without feeling greasy.

Grilling the yakiniku on the mini tabletop brazier

The yakiniku plate came with 5 skewers and flat iron beef.

Every table has its own mini brazier, so you grill the meat and skewers yourself.

The heat was strong, so everything cooked fast, and I could grill just as much as I wanted to eat, keeping it warm the whole time.

It wasn't tough at all — soft and tender with a sweet marinade soaked in, and the seasoning matched really well.

The skewers also go on the mini brazier, cooked to your liking.

Beef tartare bibimbap 9,900 won and the Sejong University tartare double 19,800 won

Beef tartare bibimbap, 9,900 won. I also ordered the beef tartare bibimbap from Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch's budget-friendly add-on menu. It came with plenty of vegetables and beef tartare, and the seasoning mixed well with the ingredients.

These days it's not easy to get a meal for under 10,000 won, so at 9,900 won, it seemed like a solid dinner option near Sejong University or Konkuk University.

Sejong University beef tartare double, 19,800 won. A single plate of beef tartare is 9,900 won, and since I wanted double the amount, I ordered the double. With plenty of beef tartare, it was also nice to add extra into the beef tartare bibimbap and mix it in.

Raw salmon with beef tartare, 26,900 won

Raw salmon and beef tartare, 26,900 won. I ordered this extra since I wanted to enjoy a bit more beef tartare and salmon.

Being able to alternate between salmon and beef tartare made this a great pairing for anyone who doesn't want to stick to just one side dish with their drinks.

Is Yukhoe Gongjakso worth it? Final verdict

Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch has a wide range of menu items, from beef tartare and salmon to yakiniku you grill yourself, so it was great when I wanted to try several different side dishes at once. It seems like a good fit for couples looking for an atmospheric bar between Konkuk University Station and Children's Grand Park Station, or for students who want dinner and drinks at a reasonable price. Open late into the night with group seating available, Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch worked well for everything from a date to a club gathering or a university dinner.