Mild Nagasaki nabe in a Yeongdeungpo izakaya 2F room: Nani Byeolgwan

Today I'm bringing you a review of a yakitori spot I found in Yeongdeungpo — Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch (나니별관 영등포점). The name itself felt unusual, and once I actually visited I think I understood why it's called a 'byeolgwan' (annex building). Let's get into the visit! 😊

First impressions of Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch: antique-style bar seats

The moment you open the door at Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch, the bar seats catch your eye. Under soft lighting, the bar table gave off a pretty antique atmosphere.

Further inside there were regular table seats, and that day I was shown up to the 2nd floor.

What the wood-tone second floor feels like

Going up to the 2nd floor, a space decorated in wood tones welcomed me once again. The wooden interior blended with soft lighting to create a cozy, classic mood that really lived up to the name 'byeolgwan.' The moment I sat down, I somehow had a good feeling about the night.

QR code menu at Nani Byeolgwan and what we ordered

At Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch, you scan a QR code on the wall to see the menu. I sat down and kept looking around wondering when someone would bring a menu, only to realize it worked via QR code.

As soon as I scanned the QR code, a neatly organized menu popped up on my screen. Lots of places run menus this way now so it wasn't totally unfamiliar, but I did fumble a little at first haha. Scrolling through, there were so many delicious-looking items that I agonized for a while. Since it's a proper yakitori place, I figured I should cover the basics, so I ordered chicken skewers and pork belly scallion skewers, plus the Nagasaki seafood nabe. The menu was varied enough that I'd love to try other dishes on a future visit.

The 2F room and the 1F self-serve tableware corner

The 2nd floor of Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch also has room-style seating. It looked great for larger groups or anyone wanting a bit more privacy. On the 1st floor there's a separate self-serve corner where you can grab tableware yourself, so I could comfortably get whatever I needed. Ah, of course, everything was brought to us the first time!

Mild Nagasaki seafood nabe and chicken skewers

The first things to arrive were the Nagasaki seafood nabe (hot pot) and the chicken skewers.

The Nagasaki seafood nabe was exactly the flavor I was hoping for. The broth wasn't greasy and had a slight kick, which I really liked. I ordered the mild version but it still had a subtle spiciness, which made me curious what the spicy version would taste like. It was also piled high with bean sprouts, so the portion of ingredients felt generous. Anyone who likes soupy dishes would be happy with both the look and the amount.

The chicken skewers tasted exactly like you'd expect from a proper yakitori place. The charcoal aroma really came through — one bite in and a savory smoky smell spread instantly. There were a generous 5 skewers, and dipping them in the accompanying mayonnaise sauce doubled the flavor. The combination of light chicken and the rich sauce kept my hand reaching back for more.

Add udon noodles and staff reboil the nabe on the burner

While I was in the middle of enjoying everything, I suddenly had a huge craving for carbs. As a total carb addict, I didn't even hesitate and ordered udon noodles right away. The staff then set the Nagasaki seafood nabe on the tableside burner to reheat it. Once it started bubbling, I added the udon noodles, and the chewy noodles soaked in broth were absolutely fantastic. It was another moment that reminded me that carbs really are the truth.

The star dish: pork belly scallion skewers

The pork belly scallion skewers were, personally, the best dish I had that day at Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch. They finally arrived last, and I suspect that's because this dish was meant to be the star. The fragrant scent of scallions hit my nose right away, and the meat was thicker than I expected, giving it a satisfying bite. The fragrant scallions and thick pork belly came together in perfect harmony. Just one note — after finishing, a subtle scallion scent can linger in your mouth, so keep that in mind!

My sister, who came with me, gave me a soy sauce dish 🫙 to celebrate my wedding — she said she bought it while traveling and thought of me. Getting it along with a letter meant so much to me. It was a warm, happy evening.

Is Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo worth it? Final verdict

From the antique, cozy atmosphere to the thoughtfully put-together menu, my visit to Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch was satisfying all around. The pork belly scallion skewers and the Nagasaki seafood nabe in particular were memorable enough that I'll be thinking about them again. If you're looking for a great yakitori spot in Yeongdeungpo, I'd definitely recommend giving Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch a visit!