Mapo izakaya for yakitori and Sapporo draft beer: Hanamato

I visited Hanamato Sangam DMC (하나마토 상암DMC). I was looking for a good place near Sangam World Cup Stadium and stopped by because it looked perfect for yakitori and simple snacks together. Since I was already stuffed from dinner, I wanted somewhere nice for beer with a light bite, and it was a great choice. It was great for a casual late-night drink, and this Mapo bar had an interior with a distinctly Japanese feel. Both the snacks and draft beer were delicious, haha.

Hanamato Sangam DMC: location and exterior

It was an easy walk from Digital Media City Station Exit 8. You can find it down an alley, and because the venue uses both the first and second floors, it is fairly easy to spot. I could feel the Japanese atmosphere right from outside, haha.

You can enjoy a range of Japanese-style snacks centered on yakitori here, so it suited a day when I wanted to slowly try dishes with drinks rather than have a full meal. If you are widening your route a little before or after a game, it is also a worthwhile spot to keep in mind near Sangam World Cup Stadium.

First and second floors with a Japanese izakaya atmosphere

The interior is divided between the first and second floors, making it easy to enjoy that relaxed izakaya atmosphere. The Japanese-inspired decor made me feel as though I had popped over to Japan, which I loved.

There are also window seats on the second floor! This spot was so pretty and nice, haha. The atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed, so it felt like the kind of Mapo bar that comes to mind on a day when you just want a simple beer.

A wide menu, from yakitori to sake

You can check the menu on Naver Map, but there are soooo many options. From skewers like yakitori to fried dishes, nabe (Japanese hot pot), and simple Japanese-style snacks, there was plenty to choose from. If you are like me and enjoy trying a little of several snacks, the menu here would also be a nice fit when looking for food near Sangam World Cup Stadium.

They also have sake prepared like this.

Complimentary snack and what I ordered

The complimentary snack was shrimp chips~~ They were salty and crisp, totally a beer snack, haha. They were perfect for picking at whenever my mouth felt a little idle.

This time, I had the five-skewer yakitori assortment, truffle oil fries, seasonal melon, and Sapporo draft beer.

Five kinds of yakitori and Sapporo draft beer

The five-kind yakitori assortment was what I reached for first. It came with five of the most popular skewers, including chicken and scallion, chicken wings, and chicken hearts, haha. Being able to taste a different skewer of each kind made it more fun than ordering just one variety. The nutty grilled aroma and savory flavor of the skewers paired beautifully with drinks. It was also an easygoing assortment to have alongside several other dishes, so it would be a great first order for anyone seeking yakitori near Sangam World Cup Stadium.

Each table has sauces ready to enjoy with the yakitori, haha.

This is Sapporo beer~~ It was so, so good with the yakitori. Cold and smooth~~ haha.

Truffle oil fries for when you are already full

I was full, so I ordered some light fries. From the moment they arrived at the table, the subtle, distinctive truffle aroma rose up, giving a different feel from the yakitori. The truffle oil fragrance added to the nuttiness of the fries, making them taste richer than the fries I am used to eating. Among fries, I especially love these plump potato pieces. I like their soft potato flavor, haha. Maybe that is why I enjoyed them so much, haha.

If you arrive at this Mapo bar already full, try these truffle oil fries, haha.

Seasonal melon to finish

To finish, I had seasonal melon. After the savory yakitori and nutty fries, the melon’s fresh sweetness felt as though it neatly cleared my palate. The coolness unique to chilled fruit and its juicy flesh made it easy to enjoy even after having plenty of snacks.

The melon was sweet and fresh, and I really enjoyed it. There was more of it than I expected, too, haha.

Hanamato’s little sweetheart, Tori

And now, I will show you Hanamato’s little sweetheart... Tori. A puppy lives in one corner of the second floor, and she is just so, so cute... Her baby fur is completely fluffy and soft, and her little personality is adorable too, haha. If you go, make sure you say hello to Tori, haha.

There is a huge variety of snacks, and they are tasty too, haha. It is open late, and the food is not overly heavy, so it is just right for a second or third round, haha.