Hannam-dong izakaya with open-kitchen sashimi tartare: Hannam Tatsu

Today I want to introduce a Yongsan izakaya that nailed it all — atmosphere, food, and service — for the first time in a while.

When you're gathering with good people, or picking a spot for a date or a first meeting, the two things you really care about are the atmosphere and the food quality. Hannam Tatsu, which I visited this time, is a Hannam-dong spot that made me go "wow" the moment I stepped in, both for its upscale vibe and its excellent Japanese cooking.

Inside Hannam Tatsu: bar seats, tables and the open kitchen view

Hannam Tatsu sits at 37 Hannam-daero 20-gil, 1F, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, with bar seats for a moody solo or duo experience and table seats for relaxed conversation. What caught my eye first when I arrived was the clean, upscale exterior. That distinctly sleek, tidy Hannam-dong feel was already radiating from the entrance, and I felt my excitement build before I even walked in.

Opening the door and stepping inside revealed a space that felt both private and lively at once.

What stood out most was the gorgeous open-kitchen setup! Watching the chefs cook with such focus and care, right in front of me, made the whole meal a feast for the eyes as much as the mouth. Between the flame shows and the delicate hands slicing sashimi, there wasn't a dull moment.

Opening the menu, it was packed with mouthwatering Japanese dishes, so I spent quite a while deciding what to order.

Watching the huge futomaki (thick sushi roll) being made for the next table, I made a mental note: "Next time, I'm definitely ordering that futomaki!"

Assorted sashimi tartare wrapped in gim tae — how does it taste?

After a long deliberation, the first main dish I ordered at Hannam Tatsu was the assorted sashimi tartare — colorful, vivid cuts of fresh sashimi seasoned lightly and nuttily and mixed together.

The presentation alone looked like a work of art, so pretty that I couldn't not photograph it.

I tried loading a bit of the sashimi tartare onto the luxurious gim tae (seasoned dried seaweed flakes) that came alongside and wrapping it up — one bite in, and nuttiness and freshness spread through my mouth at once!

The sashimi itself was so fresh there wasn't a hint of fishiness, and the way the nutty special seasoning blended with the ocean-scented gim tae was, quite simply, an "extremely upscale flavor." It was light enough to enjoy without feeling heavy, making it the perfect top-tier pairing snack for clean spirits.

Hannam Tatsu's eel rice bowl: how much eel do you get?

Hannam Tatsu's eel rice bowl came topped with four thick, hefty cuts of eel — nearly two whole eels' worth, a genuinely generous portion. It worked well as either a meal or a hearty side to go with drinks.

Honestly, ordering eel rice at Japanese restaurants often leaves you wanting more eel, but Hannam Tatsu's bowl drew a gasp the moment it arrived.

Pulling off a piece of the well-grilled eel and eating it with rice brought back memories of the finest eel rice I'd had while actually traveling in Japan — that's how deep the flavor was. The sweet-savory glaze was soaked deep into the eel, the inside soft while the outside was grilled to a golden crisp, melting in the mouth beautifully.

The portion was so generous that I was fully satisfied and full down to the very last bite.

Sake pairings and the verdict — who is Hannam Tatsu right for?

Hannam Tatsu was also a big draw for offering a range of sake pairings that matched the menu well.

The drink lineup was well curated to elevate the food's flavors, so anyone who enjoys sake or the refined drinking atmosphere unique to izakayas will absolutely be satisfied here.

Having experienced it firsthand, the soft, moody lighting and the warm service made me think this is best suited for a gathering with close friends, a meaningful first meeting, or a date on a special occasion.

A place with a vibe I'd want to revisit 200% of the time! If you want proper Japanese cooking paired with a special atmosphere, I strongly recommend Hannam Tatsu, this Yongsan izakaya.

Where Hannam Tatsu is in Hannam-dong

• Address: 37 Hannam-daero 20-gil, 1F, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 용산구 한남대로20길 37 1층 한남타츠)