Euljiro wine bar with crispy eggplant: Hey Jinny in Jung-gu

I was looking for somewhere around Euljiro 3-ga where we could eat and have a quiet conversation, so I visited Hey Jinny (을지로 헤이지니).

It was really close to Exit 10 of Euljiro 3-ga Station, so it was easy to find—about a one-minute walk from the exit.

Hey Jinny is on the second floor along a quiet alley, slightly removed from Euljiro's characteristically bustling atmosphere, so it felt calmer than I expected.

It's a good place to go when the food matters, but so does being able to talk comfortably—like for a blind date or a date.

A small but atmospheric Euljiro wine bar

The venue itself was not especially large and had an intimate feel, but the pretty interior made the atmosphere really lovely.

I was shown to a window-side bar seat.

Personally, I liked this seat because I could have my meal while looking out the window.

Sitting across from each other at a table and talking is nice too, but I thought a bar seat like this would be great when you want to quietly enjoy the mood.

Hey Jinny is often mentioned as a spot for blind dates or dates, and they even had a notice asking guests to refrain from overly affectionate behavior.

It seems like a place people will enjoy if they want a space with just the right amount of atmosphere, where they can talk over food and drinks rather than go to a loud bar.

Crispy fish-fragrant eggplant

The menu item I was looking forward to most at Hey Jinny was the crispy fish-fragrant eggplant.

I have mixed feelings about eggplant dishes, so I usually do not order them, but the taste can vary wildly depending on how they are prepared.

So I occasionally order eggplant dishes at places with good reviews, and Hey Jinny's fish-fragrant eggplant was a success.

True to its name, the crispy fish-fragrant eggplant was crunchy on the outside and moist inside.

I am not a fan of eggplant's overly mushy texture, but enclosed in a crisp batter, it was nicely soft. Vegetable juices came out with every bite, and it was more delicious than I expected.

It was also a great snack to have alongside wine or a highball.

Osaka niboshi shrimp oil pasta

The Osaka niboshi shrimp oil pasta had such an unusual name that I ordered it out of curiosity.

Regular oil pasta tends to be simple and straightforward, but this one was different, with various flavors of the sea from jukbang anchovies, dried baby shrimp, fresh shrimp, and white pollock roe oil.

The flavors of dried shrimp and anchovy were especially pronounced.

The sauce coated the noodles well, and taking a bite followed by a sip of highball made for a pretty good combination.

It also paired well with the fish-fragrant eggplant, so we had a satisfying meal.

Earl Grey and Watermelon Bar highballs

For drinks, we ordered an Earl Grey highball and a Watermelon Bar highball.

The Earl Grey highball had Earl Grey's distinctive aroma, making it nice to sip slowly with the food. The Watermelon Bar highball tasted like the Watermelon Bar ice pop, so it was sweet and tasty.

A good spot for blind dates and dates

There are so many atmospheric restaurants and bars in Euljiro, but when you actually look for a date spot, many are either too noisy or have tables packed too closely together.

Hey Jinny was an intimate space on the second floor with a decent view and an atmosphere that made it easy to eat and talk comfortably.

It would be nice for a special occasion like an anniversary, or for stopping by after work when you want a casual drink somewhere with a good atmosphere.

If you are looking for an atmospheric spot near Euljiro 3-ga Station, give Hey Jinny a try.