Korean-concept bar in Wangsimni: chicken neck stir-fry, Ari Gyegok

Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch is a Wangsimni bar that expresses Korean sentiment in an eerie, beautiful way.

What is the atmosphere like at Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch?

Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch is a concept bar with a dark, cool interior, the sound of a flowing valley stream, and call bells that croak like frogs. Maybe because the lights are low, there were lots of couples on blind dates or dates.

I finally visited Ari Gyegok, a Wangsimni bar I had really wanted to try. I first spotted it at Gangnam Station, and the unique mood and flashy menu won me over.

Inside it's fairly dark and really cool. You hear a stream flowing, and the call bell is a frog croak, so it feels very conceptual. Probably because it's dark, there were lots of couples on blind dates or dates.

Ginseng spoons, basalt door handles and Korean props at Ari Gyegok

Hot pot is the main dish at Ari Gyegok, so every table has a burner, and the spoons are, believe it or not, shaped like ginseng. Korean vibes overflow even in the small details. I love this kind of touch.

The menu standing on the table like a folding screen is cute too. Even the door handle is basalt. Meju (fermented soybean block) shapes hang around, and rows of infused liquors line up, and I couldn't tell whether they're for drinking or decoration. Every prop isn't just pretty; it stays true to the charm of Korean eerie coolness. (Whoever planned this place must be no ordinary talent...) I also like that the menu isn't huge like other bars and sticks to the basics, which keeps it focused.

What does Ari Gyegok's Gungjungsulwangju taste like?

The drink we chose at Ari Gyegok that day was Gungjungsulwangju (royal court rice wine), 13% ABV. It tastes clean and clear with no hint of alcohol, so it pairs well with food and is easy to drink.

First, the plating came out so pretty that it put me in a good mood. True to its description, "floral scent rising over golden liquor," it's a truly beautiful drink. It lacks the heavy aroma and sweetness golden liquors usually have, so it goes well with food and is totally easy to drink. (Hmm... for some reason I didn't get drunk at all.)

Now, on to reviewing the dishes!

Black sesame cucumber salad: salty cucumber with a sweet black sesame sauce

The first dish out at Ari Gyegok was the black sesame cucumber salad, a fairly popular item with a salty, fresh cucumber taste. It seems a little salty at first, but dip it in the sweet black sesame sauce on the side and, strangely, the seasoning is just right. The shredded chili threads are so Korean too.

Is the stir-fried chicken neck with shishito peppers worth ordering?

Ari Gyegok's stir-fried chicken neck with shishito peppers is a recommended dish of boneless chicken neck and shishito peppers stir-fried in a sweet soy sauce, and many tables were eating it. It's a side dish where one bite means one sip.

I know chicken neck is tender and precious, but I wish they'd run a double-shishito-pepper event. The peppers are really the kick.

How do you eat Ari Gyegok's spicy hangover chicken hot pot?

The spicy hangover chicken hot pot is the most popular dish at the Wangsimni bar Ari Gyegok and was the highlight of the day. There's a proper way to eat it, and the staff kindly explain it.

Many people say the plain chicken hot pot is tastier, but we wanted spicy. Next time we'll try the plain one!

• Take out the eomnamu (prickly ash branch) once it starts boiling
• The chicken drumstick in the pot is huge and thick, so cut it up before cooking
• The tenderloin on top turns tough if cooked long, so shabu-shabu it for just 1–2 minutes

You have to listen well to this kind of instruction.

Shabu-shabu chicken tenderloin and nurungji (scorched rice): an unexpectedly hearty meal

The chicken tenderloin on the spicy hangover chicken hot pot, cooked shabu-shabu style for 1–2 minutes, was the best of everything we ate that day. Wow. The tenderness of shabu-shabu tenderloin is insane. It was the first time I'd tasted chicken that soft. Truly, the best meat of meats is the tenderloin.

Scoop up the nurungji (scorched rice crust) that comes in the pot by default and the warmth spreads through every corner of your body, kicking my summer cold right out. So I ended up getting an unexpected health boost at Ari Gyegok, a Wangsimni bar.

What does the name Ari Gyegok mean? Final verdict

Ari Gyegok is said to be the valley where the Ari bird from the brand story comes to rest. All around the bar are sleek devices that stir up Korean eeriness and a touch of fear, keeping a gentle tension and dopamine going the whole time you drink.

It's been a while since I found a pretty, Korean Wangsimni bar this faithful to its concept: Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch. It was a magical, fun time where I didn't get drunk at all.

Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch: opening hours and parking

• Address: 14 Majo-ro 3-ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea (floors 1–2)
• Hours: Sun–Thu 16:30–02:00, Fri–Sat 16:30–03:00
• Parking: none at the bar; the E-Mart car park at Wangsimni Station is recommended
• Size: uses both floors 1 and 2, so group gatherings are absolutely possible