Rooftop pub in Euljiro, Seoul: yukhoe and uni at Yukhoegwan Pocha

After a long day, my husband and I headed to a place I'd bookmarked in Euljiro for dinner and a drink. I got the chance to visit as part of a review program, at Yukhoegwan Pocha (육회관포차), a well-known spot in Euljiro 3-ga. Since we came straight from work, I was excited before we even arrived, thinking about good snacks and a casual drink.

How do you get to Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro?

Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro is a three-story building with a glowing yellow sign on an Euljiro 12-gil alley, and we spotted it the moment we turned in. They use the whole building, and the grand exterior, with three floors plus a rooftop, really catches the eye. A big standing sign and menu board sit by the entrance, so it's easy to check the menu before going in.

Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro interior and rooftop

Inside, red walls and cozy lighting give off that classic pocha (Korean pub) mood. The walls were covered in celebrity autographs, and looking up the wooden stairs, each floor had its own atmosphere. The outdoor rooftop on the 3rd floor, decorated with artificial grass and lights, looked like a perfect date spot.

Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro menu and kiosk ordering

Every table has a kiosk, so we ordered easily while looking at photos of the dishes. There's a wide range, from fresh raw dishes to pocha-style snacks, which made choosing simple. We already had the yukhoe and uni combo in mind, so we ordered without hesitation and waited.

Table setting and free macaroni salad

The table was neatly set, with a notice laid out on it. It described the origin of the ingredients in detail, which made me trust the quality before I'd even taken a bite. A macaroni salad came as a complimentary side, perfect for refreshing the palate before the food arrived.

Free seaweed soup bubbling in an aluminum pot

Seaweed soup (miyeok-guk) came in an aluminum pot on a burner right at the table, and the broth was rich and full-bodied. Sipping it piping hot felt like it settled my stomach. It did a great job warming us up before the snacks arrived, and my husband said the broth was delicious and kept eating it.

How does the uni set taste at Yukhoegwan Pocha?

The uni set (uni-hansang), one of the signature dishes here, comes on a clear plate with orange sea urchin roe, rice, seaweed and wasabi arranged prettily. The uni we'd been waiting for arrived glossy and neatly plated. There was no fishiness at all, just that creamy richness and nutty flavor spreading through the mouth. It was a real delicacy among delicacies.

How is the yukhoe served at Yukhoegwan Pocha?

The yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) arrives in an elegant brass bowl with bright red beef, a yellow egg yolk, pear, cheese, seaweed and crackers. It's so generously accompanied that just looking at it whets the appetite. I popped the yolk on top with my chopsticks and mixed it all together.

The rich yolk seeped softly between the strands of beef and made the flavor deeper and smoother. It was great on its own, but on the pear or seaweed I got all kinds of textures at once. The chewy texture and savory seasoning matched perfectly, and I was genuinely impressed by the quality of this Euljiro 3-ga restaurant.

Bead-shaped mochiri tofu

The mochiri tofu (soft, chewy tofu) came as cute, bead-shaped white balls sitting in soy sauce. Plated carefully with a leaf garnish, it made us feel well looked after. The smooth, chewy texture was charming, and the slightly sweet sauce had soaked in, so it was easy to pick at as a light snack.

How do the dishes pair with soju and beer?

With snacks this good, a cold drink is a must. The soju and beer came icy and frosted over, and my husband and I happily clinked glasses. A bite of fresh food followed by a cool sip made the whole day's fatigue melt away.

The snacks and drinks went really well together. With great-looking food, good taste and portions, and a charming atmosphere overall, this Euljiro 3-ga spot was a perfect way to end the day with a drink.

Yukhoe and uni wrapped together in seaweed

The best thing at Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro was stacking yukhoe, uni, a little rice, wasabi and seasoning sauce on a sheet of seaweed and eating it in one bite. The creamy, ocean-scented uni and the chewy beef blended together nutty and rich. You could clearly feel the freshness of the ingredients, and the sharp wasabi cleaned up the aftertaste. My husband kept saying how good it was.

Is Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro worth a return visit?

We emptied the bowls of yukhoe, uni and mochiri tofu until only the bottoms showed. It was so good that we ate without even talking. Neither the beef nor the uni was fishy, and the seasoning added depth, so we never got tired of it.

I thought it would be just right to come back with my husband when the weather is cooler and sit at the outdoor tables. The Euljiro open-air drinking vibe is alive and well here. It was a really satisfying time, enjoying neat, fresh snacks and a drink with my husband near Euljiro. I'd like to stop by again for a calm dinner date at this Euljiro 3-ga spot.

Who is Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro best for?

• People who want to enjoy fresh yukhoe with creamy uni
• People looking for a spacious, comfortable place for group gatherings or company dinners
• People who want that Euljiro outdoor rooftop feel

Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro: address, hours and parking

• Address: 27 Euljiro 12-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1st floor)
• Hours: Mon–Sat 17:00–03:00, Sun 15:00–24:00
• Parking: Not available