# Solo dinner near Hongik Univ. Station: sake tarako-don at Jongno - By Jooni (https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-meal-gaps/) - Written Sep 9, 2026 - Updated Sep 14, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written after receiving a complimentary visit sponsorship from the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [日本語](https://superchart.com/ja/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [简体中文](https://superchart.com/zh-cn/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [繁體中文](https://superchart.com/zh-tw/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [Tiếng Việt](https://superchart.com/vi/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [ไทย](https://superchart.com/th/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [Bahasa Indonesia](https://superchart.com/id/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [Bahasa Melayu](https://superchart.com/ms/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) · [Español](https://superchart.com/es/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/index.md) ## In short Jongno Donburi Yeonnam is a Japanese rice bowl restaurant in a Yeonnam-dong alley, about 6 minutes on foot from Hongik University Station in Mapo, Seoul. Visiting alone for dinner, the writer ordered the day's limited sake tarako-don (salmon and cod roe rice bowl) for ₩24,000 plus a side of natto for ₩6,000, and the salmon-and-cod-roe combo balanced each other's seasoning perfectly. With wall-facing bar seats, it's a great spot for eating solo. ## Good to know - **Location**: About 6 minutes on foot from Hongik University Station, basement level in a Yeonnam-dong alley - **Hours**: 11:30 AM–9:30 PM, weekdays and weekends - **Break time**: No break time on weekends - **Order**: Sake tarako-don ₩24,000, natto ₩6,000 - **Sake tarako-don**: Sold in limited quantity, only on the day - **Seating**: Bar seats (including wall-facing counter) and small tables - **Included**: Pickled radish and miso soup *as written by the visitor on Sep 9, 2026* ![Sake tarako-don, the signature dish at Jongno Donburi Yeonnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-01-11ns4-1200.webp) I really love pairing sake-don (salmon rice bowl) with cold soba when I go to Japanese restaurants. This time I went to Jongno Donburi, a well-known spot near Hongik University Station, planning to get sake-don, but I spotted a menu item called sake tarako-don for the first time. Salmon and cod roe together? I was curious and ordered it right away — it was so good I couldn't believe I'd never tried it before. They also have plenty of side dishes, so I added natto and had a really filling meal haha. ## Jongno Donburi Yeonnam hours and location They're open from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM every day of the week, and since there's no break time on weekends, you can drop by anytime you're craving sake-don. ![The alley in Yeonnam-dong leading to Jongno Donburi Yeonnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-02-agll7-966.webp) ![The wooden signboard at Jongno Donburi Yeonnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-03-1lp29-966.webp) ![The Yeonnam-dong alley on the walk from Hongik University Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-04-1xij7-966.webp) ![Entrance signage at Jongno Donburi Yeonnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-05-1ob1t-966.webp) Jongno Donburi, a Yeonnam-dong favorite, is about a 6-minute walk from Hongik University Station. The clean wooden signboard catches your eye right away. ## Exterior ![The restaurant exterior with tiled eaves and white noren curtain](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-06-t7atg-966.webp) The tiled eaves, white noren curtain, and green potted plants together give off a serene, traditional Japanese restaurant feel. It felt calm even before stepping inside. ![View through the window of diners in the evening](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-07-1wzoe-966.webp) I visited in the evening, and the diners inside looked cozy — the atmosphere seemed warm. ## Interior seating great for solo dining ![The quiet, warm interior of the Japanese restaurant](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-08-1w1mb-966.webp) The interior overall has a quiet, warm, late-night kind of feel. The seats aren't cramped, and with everything from bar seats to small tables laid out well, it feels comfortable whether you come alone, as a couple, or in a group. There's also a bar counter facing the wall rather than an open kitchen — a great setup for solo dining. ![Wall-facing bar seats ideal for solo dining](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-09-huj0s-966.webp) ![A menu placed on the table with the seat setting](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-10-tau8j-966.webp) Each table has a menu, so ordering is easy and relaxed. The staff were really kind — they told me the salmon was especially fresh today and recommended it. ## Menu ![The donburi menu at Jongno Donburi Yeonnam](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-11-1qkcq-966.webp) As a proper rice bowl specialist, they have tons of options — katsudon, ebi-don, gyudon, sake-don, and even donburi and nabe noodle dishes. ![Menu page listing katsudon, ebi-don and gyudon](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-12-nioxt-966.webp) ![Menu page listing nabe and noodle dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-13-k1r9m-966.webp) ![Menu listing the day's limited sake tarako-don](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-14-174n2-966.webp) They said the salmon was in great condition today, so I was checking the menu when I spotted something I'd never seen before — sake tarako-don, my favorite sake-don topped with premium cod roe. Since it was sold in limited quantity only on that day, it felt even more special, so I decided on it haha. ### What I ordered - Sake tarako-don ₩24,000 - Natto ₩6,000 I love natto so much I even order it to eat at home, so I added it as a side. ![The table while waiting for the order](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-15-18yni-966.webp) ![The bar counter atmosphere with pendant lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-16-2qo5g-966.webp) The pendant lights above each table and counter seat looked really warm. ![Complimentary pickled radish and miso soup](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-17-xcw8h-966.webp) ![Sake tarako-don piled generously with cod roe](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-18-5yfsi-966.webp) ## How the sake tarako-don tasted After ordering, they brought out pickled radish and miso soup — the miso soup was genuinely delicious!! The seasoning was just right. The sake tarako-don had a look I'd never seen before — glossy, thick slices of raw salmon topped with a generous, salty mound of cod roe, stacked high. Whoa. They said the salmon was in great condition today, and the shine on it was no joke! When I lifted the cod roe with my chopsticks, the roe held together firmly without falling apart — so fresh! Every ingredient was top quality. ![Natto served with egg yolk and wasabi](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-19-1hzsw-966.webp) ## Side of natto The natto I ordered as a side arrived too. Egg yolk and wasabi included! The strings were seriously stringy. I mixed the yolk and wasabi in well, and it came together nicely for eating haha. ![Well-mixed natto alongside the sake tarako-don spread](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-20-7p4co-966.webp) This was my first time trying the salmon-and-cod-roe combo on top of rice. The rich, buttery savoriness of the soft, fatty salmon paired with the salty pop of the cod roe balancing the seasoning — I got why it's a limited menu item. Why did it take me this long to find this? I tried it with just cod roe, and also with cod roe and natto together haha. With ingredients this good, it's delicious no matter how you eat it. ![A spoonful of rice topped with salmon and cod roe](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-21-3m4l8-966.webp) ![The rice bowl topped with both cod roe and natto](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-22-h68b9-966.webp) ![The rice bowl served with a generous amount of wasabi](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-23-1oifi-966.webp) ![The table after finishing the evening meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto-24-1urgz-966.webp) I love wasabi too, and they gave me plenty. It was a delicious, filling dinner haha. ## Why I'd come back for a solo dinner In a quiet alley, under warm pendant lights, I could focus purely on the food — a satisfying evening meal. The day's limited quantity made the sake tarako-don feel extra special, and paired with the hearty natto, I left feeling full and happy. If you're looking for a great restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, I recommend Jongno Donburi! ## Where it is - Jongno Donburi Yeonnam (종로돈부리 연남) - 9 Donggyo-ro 46-gil, B1, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 마포구 동교로46길 9 B1 - 37.562598, 126.925406 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%A2%85%EB%A1%9C%EB%8F%88%EB%B6%80%EB%A6%AC%20%EC%97%B0%EB%82%A8/@37.562598,126.925406,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-meal-gaps/jongno-donburi-yeonnam-sake-tarako-natto/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt