Okonomiyaki restaurant in Hongdae, Seoul with counter seats: UWA

Looking for a date spot near Hongdae? Today I'm recommending the okonomiyaki menu at UWA Hongdae Main Branch, a great Hongdae date restaurant where you can enjoy upscale, delicious teppan (griddle) cooking :)

What kind of restaurant is UWA Hongdae Main Branch?

UWA Hongdae Main Branch is a spot for okonomiyaki and yakisoba, and this time I tried the tomato okonomiyaki, shrimp yakisoba, a raspberry highball, and oolong tea. The food was great and watching it get cooked was fun too, so I'd recommend it as a Hongdae date spot :)

Catch Table waiting and the dodge-seat counter at UWA

UWA Hongdae Main Branch is listed on Catch Table, so I could join the queue remotely. We ate early on a Sunday around 5pm and there were about 2 parties waiting. There's also a phone charger, just so you know~

We were seated at the dodge-seat counter. Each seat had its own griddle in front, keeping the dish warm the whole time — such a nice Japanese-vibe touch!

It was fun watching the dish get finished right in front of me, and I liked that it stayed warm throughout the meal. Even though it's counter seating, the chairs were comfortable, so eating there wasn't tiring at all :)

What to order at UWA Hongdae: the best menu combo

UWA Hongdae has three okonomiyaki options — Classic, Tomato, and Hayashi — so you can pick based on your taste. Yakisoba also comes in Classic, Shio, and Basil, so if you're ordering two dishes, it's good to mix sauces that won't overlap. Classic + Classic felt like it might be too heavy, so I went with Tomato okonomiyaki + Classic yakisoba!

The other teppan dishes looked delicious too! Good options if you want to get your protein in~

When you order okonomiyaki or yakisoba, you can choose a yaki topping of pork, chicken, or shrimp! Pick whichever suits your taste!

One thing I loved was how many drinks pair well with the main dishes~ Beyond draft beer, there were highballs, cocktails, sawas, and non-alcoholic drinks, so I spent a good while deciding~

Raspberry highball and oolong tea

For drinks, we ordered a raspberry highball and oolong tea. The raspberry highball was sweet and refreshing, and it went perfectly with teppan dishes like the tomato okonomiyaki and yakisoba. The highball-and-okonomiyaki combo was especially great, making me think it'd be perfect for enjoying a drink on a date~ The oolong tea was clean and paired well, easy to drink alongside the meal without feeling heavy.

How does the tomato okonomiyaki taste?

I ordered the tomato okonomiyaki with the pork option this time. UWA's okonomiyaki is made with yam batter, so I liked being able to eat without worrying too much about flour. It's based on a tomato sauce that's different from typical okonomiyaki, so I could expect a distinctive flavor.

The tangy-sweet flavor unique to tomato sauce blended really well with the soft texture of the okonomiyaki — genuinely delicious. Personally, I was obsessed. If you usually find regular okonomiyaki too greasy, this new style might work for you!! The pork topping was thin and savory, like woo-samgyeop (thinly sliced beef brisket), and it paired great with the tomato sauce. The meaty flavor made the whole thing richer.

Shrimp yakisoba cooked on the counter griddle

For yakisoba, I ordered the shrimp version. The noodles were a bit thicker than typical yakisoba noodles, giving them a nice chew, and the sauce soaked in well. The flavor was heavy but deep and rich. Eating it with cabbage added a crunchy texture that worked well, and the sauce's bold flavor stood out~ The shrimp especially were plump and large, which was very satisfying. Not just noodles — I got to properly enjoy the shrimp topping too. Totally satisfied!!

Take a moment to enjoy the visuals~ If you want a bit of spice, side condiments like Tabasco, shichimi, and chili oil are provided, so try adding them after eating about half — it gives a whole different feel!

Who is UWA Hongdae Main Branch best for?

UWA Hongdae Main Branch lets you enjoy warm teppan dishes at the counter seats, and the prices are reasonable, so it's an easy place to visit. I'd recommend it to anyone planning a blind date or date in Hongdae, or looking for a casual spot for a drink as a second stop~

There's the fun of watching the dish finish right in front of you, and it pairs well with a highball too, so the atmosphere was satisfying overall. If you're looking for a Hongdae okonomiyaki restaurant, try the tomato okonomiyaki, shrimp yakisoba, and raspberry highball together at UWA Hongdae Main Branch 🤍