Diet-friendly Jonggak pub: protein-rich duck set for two at Ari Gyegok

Why I came back to Ari Gyegok Jonggak for a wedding-invitation get-together

Ari Gyegok Jonggak (아리계곡 종각점) is a bar near Jonggak Station that I've now visited twice. I went once before and liked it so much that I came back. The menu, the taste and the mood are all good, so I recommend it for a wedding-invitation get-together near Jonggak Station.

Also, Ari Gyegok has lots of protein-focused dishes, so it's relatively easy on the stomach for a second round, and for people on a diet too.

• Address: 41 Ujeongguk-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (1st floor)
• Hours: Sun–Thu 16:30–02:00 / Fri–Sat 16:30–03:00
• Parking: Not available

Where is Ari Gyegok Jonggak, and what about reservations and waiting?

Ari Gyegok Jonggak is within a 5-minute walk of Jonggak Station. Jongno 3-ga Station is surprisingly close too, so it works well for gatherings. It has a 1st and 2nd floor, and it seems to get groups as well as dates and blind-date second rounds.

It was quite full even on a weekday, which I figured means it's a genuinely tasty bar near Jonggak Station. People come for round two or round one! Group reservations are possible, and waiting is handled through Catchtable!

Is there parking?

There's no parking at Ari Gyegok Jonggak, so I'd suggest a nearby public car park. Honestly, with public transport this good I didn't feel the need for a car, haha. Just so you know!

Ari Gyegok menu and ordering the 2-person duck set

The Ari Gyegok menu is pretty varied: stir-fried dishes, seasoned dishes, hot pots and set menus. The drinks list is varied too, and the highballs are cheap.

We ordered the original chicken hot pot and the mud duck jeon. That's the 2-person duck set, and apparently you get a discount ordering it this way! It's a honey combo, and since it's protein plus protein, it felt even easier to eat.

What's the atmosphere inside Ari Gyegok Jonggak?

Inside Ari Gyegok Jonggak is spacious and pleasant, and both the 1st and 2nd floors were quite cool. There were lots of people, but the tables are big and wide so it never felt cramped or stuffy. True to the name ("Ari Valley"), the natural interior makes you feel like you're deep in the mountains, which was unusual and soothing.

And a plus: the lighting isn't bright... so the other person probably looks prettier, haha. A good Jonggak Station bar for a blind-date second round, no argument.

If you're looking for a Jonggak Station bar for round two, Ari Gyegok has tasty dishes so it's good for round one or two. The menu isn't that expensive either, so I recommend it for a wedding-invitation get-together near Jonggak Station.

2-person duck set (40.8): mud duck jeon + original chicken hot pot

First, this is the special sauce you get when you order the original chicken hot pot. It's tasty even without dipping, but when you dip, it completely cuts the greasiness.

This came as a side dish: sweet-and-sour radish that cuts the greasiness. So good.

How do you eat the original chicken hot pot?

The staff said the meat on top is chicken tenderloin and the meat inside is thigh. You cook it slowly, like shabu-shabu!

I love chicken dishes, and it's pretty and unusual, so now when it's "Jonggak Station bar" I say let's go to Ari Gyegok. A little thing like a baby wild ginseng goes on top, and it makes you feel healthier, like the drinks and food cancel each other out, haha.

Is the original chicken hot pot spicy?

The original chicken hot pot isn't spicy, it's clean and mild. But it's not bland: it's neat, mild and deep, like a clear version of samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). It's packed with bean sprouts, green onions and other vegetables, so the broth was really, really refreshing.

The portion is quite big. Still, it's protein, so I could finish it! Haha. The flavor isn't too strong, but it isn't dull or watery either, which I liked.

What is the mud duck jeon?

The Ari Gyegok mud duck jeon (duck wrapped in a fried dumpling-skin pancake) looked very unusual from the start. The smoked duck comes whole, and you cut it however you like. I like it chunky, so I cut big pieces, and the chew was even better.

Maybe because the menu is so tasty and varied, lots of people were there for wedding-invitation get-togethers or dates. People kept coming in late into the night, so it seems popular as a second-round bar near Jonggak Station too.

I'd never felt juiciness in duck before, but the juice burst out the moment I bit in. Insanely good! There's a variety of vegetables to wrap it with, and the fried dumpling-skin jeon is nutty and crispy, so appealing! The mustard-based sauce especially cuts the greasiness, so I could see one duck per person.

The portions at Ari Gyegok were really generous, but I think it's good for a second round at a Jonggak Station bar too.

That juicy burst is seriously delicious, and the crunchy cabbage is amazing. Ari Gyegok seems like a real food-first bar, the best bar near Jonggak Station. It's great for hanging out with friends who can't drink, like me, and with the varied menu and low price pressure it's a good place for a wedding-invitation get-together too.

Verdict: is Ari Gyegok Jonggak worth it for wedding-invitation get-togethers and second rounds?

Ari Gyegok Jonggak is tasty, good for a second round and good for a wedding-invitation get-together, so I sincerely recommend it. The food is good, the prices are cheap, so no pressure! The staff were kind and there's a restroom inside, so I think Ari Gyegok is a good choice!! I especially loved the mud duck jeon.