Jongno bar for seafood tteokbokki and pork ribs dinner: Sudowonui
In short
Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo is a monastery-themed cooking bar tucked in a basement near Jongno, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Jongak Station Exit 4. Visiting for dinner, the writer tried the seafood tteokbokki (rice cake stew, ₩18,900) called "Grace of the Sea," the pork ribs (₩36,900) called "Ribs Forgiven After Confession," and a craft beer, with chewy wheat rice cakes and fall-off-the-bone ribs standing out most. With its arched brick walls and candlelight, it's a great spot for quiet conversation over drinks.
Good to know
- Address
- 47-1 Samil-daero 17-gil, B1, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 17:00–24:00 / Sun 17:00–23:00 (last order Mon–Sat 23:00, Sun 22:00)
- Parking
- Not available; use Jongak-dwi Public Parking Lot nearby (Jongno 54-1 road area)
- Drink policy
- One alcoholic drink order required per table
- Grace of the Sea seafood tteokbokki
- ₩18,900
- Ribs Forgiven After Confession
- ₩36,900
- Corkage (750ml/1L)
- Wine ₩20,000/₩30,000, Whiskey ₩30,000/₩40,000, Other liquor ₩10,000/₩20,000
- Amenities
- Reservations, Wi-Fi, group seating, waiting area
as written by the visitor on Sep 7, 2026
The ultimate concept restaurant, Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo (수도원의 비밀 저장고, "the monastery's secret cellar").
Stepping away from the busy city streets and pushing open a heavy door, you feel instantly teleported to a secret medieval European cellar. That's exactly the feeling I got visiting Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo.
True to its name, arched brick walls, softly flickering candles 🕯️, and antique props all came together to give off a mysterious, cozy atmosphere. Under the dim lighting, losing track of time while facing down deep, rich drinks and dishes, I was convinced from the moment I walked in that it would be a special night. Let me record the time I spent completely absorbed in this secretive hideout's space and flavors 🍷
Location and hours of Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo
- 📍 Address: 47-1 Samil-daero 17-gil, B1, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 📍 Hours: Mon–Sat 17:00–24:00 / Sun 17:00–23:00 (last order Mon–Sat 23:00, Sun 22:00) *May close early if no customers before last order
- 📍 No parking on site; use nearby alternative: Jongak-dwi Public Parking Lot (Jongno 54-1 road area, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
- 📍 Reservations, Wi-Fi, group seating, waiting area available
Exterior and interior
I think first-timers might have a bit of trouble finding Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo! It's a 5-minute walk from Line 1 Jongak Station Exit 4, or a 5-minute walk from Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 3!
It's located in the basement floor of the building, and you can only enter via the stairs! I heard the arched structure at the entrance is styled after the kind used in medieval monasteries.
I already suspected the concept was serious just from the restaurant's name, but seeing the suit of armor waiting at the entrance made me realize they were fully committed...
There's also a room-style space, so it seems great for group visits! *Note: ordering alcohol is mandatory at Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo!! One alcoholic drink order is required per table. Ex. 4 people at 1 table: 1 person must order alcohol, the other 3 can order non-alcoholic drinks.
Menu and corkage information
Here's what's on the menu.
They had a variety of food based on menus and homemade sauces developed directly by a chef who came from the Hilton Hotel in New Zealand, including pizza, pasta, gnocchi, and barbecue platters,
There were also so many kinds of alcohol that it was fun just choosing.
[Corkage info] Cost per bottle (750ml basis / 1L basis) — Wine: ₩20,000/₩30,000, Whiskey: ₩30,000/₩40,000, Other liquor: ₩10,000/₩20,000
What we ordered
Craft beer
The first thing to arrive was the craft beer! Even for a bar, they had so many kinds of beer, and even a sampler, so I figured they were confident about their beer — turns out, the venue holds the MDM Draft Beer Quality Control Master private certification.
*MDM Draft Beer Quality Control Master certification: Run by OB Beer and the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Covers keg management, temperature, hose cleaning, tap cleaning, and everything related to draft beer quality.
Grace of the Sea seafood tteokbokki (₩18,900)
A brothy tteokbokki (rice cake stew) loaded with wheat rice cakes, fish cakes, mussels, shrimp, and more seafood.
Since I came for dinner this time, I ordered the tteokbokki — and wow. Are you Team Wheat Rice Cake? Then this is your dish. The rice cakes were so chewy I nearly teared up eating it...
Ribs Forgiven After Confession (₩36,900)
Domestic chilled Korean pork back ribs, grilled with special barbecue sauce and finished in the oven.
This dish comes almost like a set — ribs, salad, two kinds of sauce, pickles, and fries!
The meat was so tender it separated easily from the bone, making it easy to eat, and I really liked that white sauce — it had a bit of a sour cream vibe.
Make sure to leave a Naver receipt review — you get to spin a roulette wheel for a chance to win! If the barbecue platter comes up, snag it.
How about a moody bar near Jongak?
Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo was a place where warm light seeping through the brick cracks, sweet music, and the deep flavor of a single glass all came together perfectly. It was a wonderful atmosphere for quietly tipping glasses and having deep conversations, and thanks to the space's unique concept and immersive feel, it left a lingering impression the whole time I was there.
If you're looking for an atmospheric bar with real character instead of the usual spot, or thinking about a date course to spend cozy, romantic time with someone special, I highly recommend Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo~
Where it is
47-1 Samil-daero 17-gil, B1, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 종로구 삼일대로17길 47-1 지하1층
