Dimly lit Suwon bar with salmon sashimi and corn cheese jeon: Hwial

Hi, this is Noreunja! It's been a while since I went somewhere with good atmosphere to enjoy tasty snacks and a relaxed date, so today I'm sharing my review of Hwial, a favorite bar for dates near Gwanggyo.

Where is Hwial Ajou University Branch, and where do you park?

Hwial Ajou University Branch is on the first floor of 6-3 Aju-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi. It's open from 16:00 until 00:50 the next day, and closed every Monday.

Outside the store there was also a space set up for a bit more privacy. There was a separate smoking zone for smokers too, which I found impressive — the spaces you actually need were nicely divided. If you're driving, you can use the nearby Uman 2-dong public parking lot, which offers 1 hour free.

Is the low lighting inside Hwial good for a date?

After ordering and looking around the place, I felt the overall vibe suited a date better than I expected. The interior was low-lit and dim overall. Rather than a bright, lively bar, it felt more like a place made for sitting across from each other at a table and slowly talking.

What we ordered at Hwial and what it cost

We ordered cured salmon sashimi ₩22,000, corn cheese jeon ₩15,000, Terra ₩5,000, Cheongha ₩6,000, and zero-calorie cola ₩2,000. The total came to ₩50,000.

Aged salmon sashimi, 22,000 won: thick, tender slices

The cured salmon sashimi we ordered came out first. The salmon looked appetizing in color, and picking up a piece, I liked that it wasn't too thin. At first I tried it plain, without anything else, just to taste the salmon itself. A soft texture came through first, and the more I chewed, the more a subtle savory flavor rose up. It went down smoothly with no chewy or dry feeling, so it was easy to keep eating without any burden. The same snack tastes different depending on what drink you pair it with, so it naturally sparked conversation on the date.

Corn cheese jeon, 15,000 won: the best match for Terra beer

While we were talking over the salmon, the corn cheese jeon (savory pan-fried pancake) arrived. As soon as it landed on the table, its golden-brown surface caught my eye, and up close I could see it was packed generously with corn and cheese.

I took a bite from the edge first — the outside was crispy, while the inside was moist and soft. The popping texture of the corn kernels was especially good, better than I expected, and I kept eating more. There was a subtle sweetness typical of corn, followed naturally by the savory taste of the cheese. Even though it's loaded with cheese, it wasn't overly greasy, and thanks to the corn's sweetness it was savory yet easy to eat. Personally, I felt the corn cheese jeon paired especially well with Terra. After eating the crispy, savory jeon, a cold beer cleaned up my palate nicely.

Final verdict on Hwial Ajou University Branch

Overall, Hwial, a favorite bar for dates near Gwanggyo, is a good place to visit for a second round after an evening date, or on a day when you want to spend time slowly with delicious snacks from the start. The cured salmon sashimi was satisfying with its soft texture and savory flavor, and the corn cheese jeon left a strong impression with its crispy exterior, popping corn, and savory cheese combination. I also liked that the low lighting and spacious tables let us focus on conversation with the person I was with, rather than worrying about our surroundings.

If you'd rather have a drink with your partner in a place with atmosphere than somewhere too noisy, and want to spend time at ease, this is a place worth remembering. Sharing tasty snacks one by one, pairing them with drinks we liked, it was an evening where we talked a little longer than usual. Next time I'm in Gwanggyo for a date, I'd like to try other menu items too — Hwial was a favorite bar for dates near Gwanggyo where both the atmosphere and the food were satisfying.