Hongdae izakaya with bar seats for a date in Yeonnam-dong: Koma
In short
Koma Yeonnam is a basement izakaya in a Yeonnam-dong alley in Mapo, Seoul, a 9-minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik University Station. From a bar seat came a welcome shochu, fried raw salmon with avocado at 17,500 won, citrus ceviche at 14,500 won and tomato cheese gratin at 17,500 won. Neither the mood nor the food fell short, making Koma Yeonnam an easy pick for a date, a blind date or a small group night out.
Good to know
- Address
- B1, 55-6 Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Getting there
- 9-minute walk from Exit 3, Hongik University Station
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 17:00–01:00, closed Mondays
- Good for
- Groups, reservations and corkage all available
- Parking
- Paid parking at Dongjin Parking Lot
- Seating
- Bar seats, 4-person tables, 6-person tables
- What we ordered
- Citrus ceviche 14,500 won / Fried raw salmon with avocado 17,500 won / Tomato cheese gratin 17,500 won + extra baguette
- Price reference
- ₩14,500 ≈ $11 · ₩17,500 ≈ $13 (2026-09-15)
as written by the visitor on Aug 19, 2026
Where is Koma Yeonnam? A basement izakaya 9 minutes from Hongik University Station
- B1, 55-6 Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 9-minute walk from Exit 3, Hongik University Station
- Tue–Sun 17:00–01:00, closed Mondays
- Groups, reservations, corkage available
- Paid parking at Dongjin Parking Lot
It's close enough to Hongdae to reach easily, but still gives you that distinct Yeonnam-dong mood. Looked like a great spot for dates and blind dates, but also for group get-togethers.
Outside Koma Yeonnam in the Yeonnam-dong alley
Koma Yeonnam sits tucked inside a Yeonnam-dong alley. This Hongdae-area izakaya suits anyone who wants something cozier and more atmospheric than a bar on a busy main street.
Visiting in the evening, the soft lighting made the space feel even prettier. Felt like the perfect spot for dinner and drinks after a date around Yeonnam-dong.
Koma Yeonnam seating: bar seats plus 4- and 6-person tables
Inside this Hongdae izakaya, the bar seats caught my eye first. I sat at the bar that day — really nice for a solo drink or a cozy one-on-one.
There's just something about bar seating that puts you in a good mood.
Further inside, the space opens up more than expected. With 4-person and 6-person tables available, it looked great not just for dates but for get-togethers with friends or bigger group drinking sessions.
The lighting throughout was soft and the mood was genuinely great. Less noisy hangout, more relaxed conversation over food and drinks.
The welcome drink shochu. It had a peach aroma, almost like a soft drink — light and nice to sip before the meal.
What's on the menu at Koma Yeonnam
The menu at this Hongdae izakaya is split into signature dishes, fish dishes, sumibiyaki (charcoal-grilled dishes), fried dishes, and drinks. From light fish dishes like sashimi and ceviche, to sumibiyaki with real charcoal-fire flavor, to warm dishes like fried food and gratin — there was plenty to choose from depending on your mood.
What we ordered — citrus ceviche ₩14,500 / fried raw salmon and avocado ₩17,500 / tomato cheese gratin ₩17,500 + added baguette.
Fried raw salmon with avocado, 17,500 won: the dish of the night
The main event of this Hongdae izakaya visit. Fried raw salmon and avocado — a combo you honestly can't not order given the name.
Personally, this was the most memorable dish I had that day. The kind of dish that makes you think, I need to come back just for this.
Dipping the avocado, crispy batter, and raw salmon into what tasted like a yogurt-based sauce, it was way tastier than I expected. I even looked up the recipe once I got home haha, but I can still taste the real thing, so I'll definitely be back soon.
Citrus ceviche, 14,500 won: the bright, light plate
The citrus ceviche that perks up your appetite. It comes with tuna, salmon, arugula, and olives, plus a bright sauce on the side. First bite, the citrus flavor hit first, just like the name promises.
The clean flavor of the raw fish paired with the crisp citrus-style sauce cleared my palate nicely. Both the tuna and salmon were soft, and the slight bitterness of the arugula plus the olives made for a better combo than I expected. Recommended if you like light, bright side dishes!
Tomato cheese gratin, 17,500 won: order the extra baguette
The tomato cheese gratin. One spoonful in, I knew this needed a baguette, so I added one right away.
The tomato sauce blended with cheese for a rich, smooth flavor, and inside the gratin were plump scallops and shrimp. The bouncy texture of the seafood worked really well with the tomato sauce and cheese. Adding the baguette is a must!
Is Koma Yeonnam right for a date, a blind date or a group night out?
What I liked most about Koma Yeonnam was that neither the mood nor the food fell short. All three dishes were genuinely delicious. Each one had a distinct personality, so ordering several was half the fun.
You can settle in cozily at the bar, or head to the 4- or 6-person tables inside — good for a date with a partner, a blind date, or a hangout with friends. If you're looking for something other than the usual izakaya in Yeonnam-dong — good vibes, distinctive food, and flavor that delivers — Koma Yeonnam is the one!!!!
Where it is
B1, 55-6 Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 마포구 연희로1길 55-6 지하1층
