Jongno bar, craft beer and seafood pizza: Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo

A medieval monastery bar hidden beneath Jonggak Station

Head down to the basement through the softly lit entrance. It feels like setting off to explore a secret space, haha. Let’s step into this medieval monastery, with an atmosphere completely different from outside.

A medieval knight guards the back of the bar, and the space is filled with softly glowing candlelight.

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo in Jonggak is famous for its delicious beer. 💕

A quiet dining room and spaces for groups

There were two separate spaces for group guests. It would be perfect to reserve ahead for a group work dinner in Jonggak. The main dining room was softly lit and quiet too, as if I’d stepped into a monastery cave.

A menu built around the monastery concept

An alcohol order is required at Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo!

Even the menu names were unlike anything else: “Permitted After Confession,” “The Monk’s Flame,” and “The Monk’s Eucharist.” What a wonderfully special place. As an unusual bar, it’s absolutely perfect for a date too. And every dish is seriously delicious! There’s a chef here who previously worked at the Hilton.

The mains included barbecue dishes and pizza, while the sides had lots of potato dishes. The prices were easy on the wallet too.

Bottled and draft beer lineup

You can choose beer from “Golden Foam in the Grail’s Glass Bottle” or “Fresh Brewing of the Grail.” I’d only tried draft beer before, but this time I started with bottled beer, haha. “Monastery beer” just sounds so special!

The “Golden Foam in the Grail’s Glass Bottle” lineup.

This is the “Fresh Brewing of the Grail” lineup. There are soft drinks and non-alcoholic options too.

The beers, pizza, and Secret Potatoes we ordered

• La Trappe Dubbel monastery beer
• Sacred Sea seafood pizza
• Bravas Monastery Secret Potatoes
• Silent IPA craft beer

La Trappe Dubbel with a delicate grape aroma

First, they brought over the La Trappe Dubbel. It is said to be a Trappist ale made traditionally while preserving the values monks have pursued for centuries. This beer is produced at Koningshoeven Abbey in the Netherlands!

It was a small bottle, but please do try this beer. I totally recommend it!!! It had a delicate grape aroma, and it made me think, wow, beer can have such refined flavor and fragrance.

It was the kind of beer where every sip disappearing felt like such a shame. A lifetime favorite beer for me.

Bravas Secret Potatoes, a great beer snack

Large diced potatoes arrived coated in a lightly spicy seasoning, and this is the best side dish on the menu. One bite and I thought, ah, now I understand why this is so popular.

The portion was generous, and the spicy coating was just enough to bring out savoriness. It was genuinely the best snack with beer.

The light yet filling Sacred Sea seafood pizza

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo is serious about pizza as well as beer. This was a seafood pizza with the clean, light flavor of wood-fired pizza and a touch of spice.

Look at that stretchy cheese!

I ate it with the pickles they served alongside. The clean crust, nutty pizza cheese, shrimp, and red onion were such a good combination >< It was an incredibly filling pizza.

Silent IPA with a bitter citrus aroma

At a place known for beer, it would be such a shame to stop after one bottle, right? So I ordered draft beer and chose the Silent IPA because I liked the name. It was an ale with the ultimate combination of a delicate citrus aroma and bitterness. 💕

I also wanted to try the draft First Vow Lager, but it was already sold out when I went to order more. ㅠㅠ It must be a popular beer. I’ll have to come back for it next time.

If you’re looking for a great date spot near Jonggak Station, stop by Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo. With both flavor and atmosphere, you’ll be happy you came. Beer lovers especially need to visit this special beer spot.