Hapjeong izakaya open till 4am: seafood udon and karaage, Soottori

What kind of izakaya is Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong?

Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong is known for its variety of delicious skewers. I went there on a weekday after work, when all you want is the gentle smell of charcoal, a freshly grilled skewer, and a cold highball.

The alley between Hongdae and Hapjeong is packed with characterful izakayas, but Soottori has kept its steady fan base by serving classic charcoal-grilled skewers casually and at reasonable prices.

The moment I walked in, the savory smoky smell rising off the kitchen's grill hit me and my appetite spiked instantly. The seating mix — from the dachi bar seats to tables good for sitting close and chatting — really nailed that lively Japanese pub atmosphere.

Crispy on the outside, packed with juice on the inside — the skewers paired with a refreshing drink made for real healing. Here's my detailed report on Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong 🍢🍺✨

Hours, parking and how to get there from Hapjeong or Sangsu Station

• 📍 Address: 서울시 마포구 독막로9길 18 1층 (18 Dokmak-ro 9-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea)
• 📍 Hours: Mon–Thu, Sun 18:00–04:00 / Fri–Sat 17:00–04:00 (last order 03:00)
• 📍 Parking is difficult
• 📍 Group-friendly, Wi-Fi, reservations available

Inside and outside Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong

Parking is hard at Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong, so I'd recommend taking the subway! (You can't drive after drinking anyway ~~) It's 8 minutes on foot from Hapjeong Station and 6 minutes from Sangsu Station, so it's super close!

It was so packed I barely got any interior shots ,, There were tables like in the photo, and the spot I sat at was a dachi bar seat! One wall had anime playing, giving off a really strong Japanese vibe.

What's on the Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong menu?

Here's the menu.

It's nice that they have set menus!

Of course you can also order all kinds of skewers individually! FYI, the skewers are seriously delicious,,

There are also single dishes and soup dishes, so it's great whether you're here for a second round or, like me, coming to actually eat a meal!

Chicken rump skewers, kushikatsu, beef brisket seafood udon and black pepper karaage

The chicken rump skewer, whose name really stood out,, made me regret thinking 'a skewer's just a skewer.'

Dipped in mayonnaise it just melts.. ah, writing this is making me want it again.

For a soup dish, I also ordered the beef-brisket seafood udon.

It's called udon but it tasted more like jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup). The spice wasn't overwhelming, so it had just the right amount of kick.

Eating the noodles and then the broth left my stomach nice and warm.

Kushikatsu! Honestly, I'm more used to grilled skewers than kushikatsu, so I didn't quite know what it was — turns out it's 'a Japanese dish where various ingredients are skewered and deep-fried.' Crispy and delicious!

I also had the black pepper gara-age, and I was surprised how big each piece was. It had a faint black pepper aroma and tasted like a salty soy-sauce fried chicken?!

+ Actually I was eating too eagerly to take a photo of it, but Soottori's iced beer is the real deal. Please order that as your drink. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

Is Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong worth a visit?

True to yakitori grilled fresh to order over charcoal, there was zero gamey chicken smell at all, and the texture stayed chewy yet moist by cut — I was fully satisfied down to the very last skewer at Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong.

The not-too-heavy tare sauce and the subtle charcoal-smoked aroma paired beautifully with the drinks, and between sips and bites the time just flew by.

Beyond the skewers, the soup dishes and simple side dishes are solid too, making it just as good for a hearty first-round meal with a drink as for a light second round.

If you're near Hapjeong or Hongik University stations looking for an atmospheric izakaya with genuinely good skewers, or a place with a relaxed, not-too-loud mood for a date or a small gathering, I highly recommend Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong!