Jongak date pub with carbonara cream pasta and ube beer: Sudowonui

Let me introduce a Jongak Station restaurant I loved, Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo (수도원의 비밀 저장고, "the monastery's secret cellar"). It's a great-atmosphere spot near Jongak with tasty Western dishes and cold craft beer. Decked out like a medieval European monastery, this dining pub has such good vibes that I'd recommend it as a Jongak Station date course too.

How close is Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo to Jongak Station?

This Jongak Station favorite is within walking distance of the station. The accessibility makes it great both for office dinners and for a date course with real atmosphere.

It has this unique feel like stepping into medieval Europe — such a special atmosphere! Even the entrance had great vibes, haha.

What is the monastery-themed basement interior like?

The basement space at Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo has this striking arched interior — really memorable!

It felt like walking into an old European monastery's underground cellar, and I loved the special mood. The little props scattered around add to the atmosphere too.

The lighting is soft and calm too, so it's great for chatting over wine or craft beer.

The place is spacious and the vibe is great.

Seating and private rooms at Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo has bar tables, hall tables, private spaces and group seating — a good range of options, so I'd recommend it for both dates and company dinners.

There are also private spaces available, so it works for anything from small gatherings to company dinners.

With around 70 seats, the place has real scale! Private rooms are ready too, so it's a good pick for birthday parties or work dinners.

The little decor pieces around the space all add to the atmosphere.

Menu line-up and the roulette event

I heard the menu at this Jongak Station favorite was developed by a chef who previously worked at the Hilton in New Zealand! From pizza to pasta, gnocchi, and BBQ platters, there's a good variety of dishes that pair well with craft beer or wine.

There was also a roulette event running at the time, so it might be worth joining for a little perk, haha.

How does the monk's carbonara cream pasta taste?

We ordered the monk's carbonara cream pasta along with a variety of craft beers.

A cream pasta with cheese, potato and bacon! The sauce was thick and rich — really tasty.

The salty bacon and cheese worked really well together, and it also made a great beer snack.

How did the four craft beers taste?

This Jongak Station favorite really has an amazing drink selection! Craft draft beer, bottled beer, wine, soju — there's a huge range, so it's easy to order according to your taste. There were lots of special drinks, each with a description, which was helpful when ordering. Here's what we got.

Ube beer and Monastery Golden Ale Stella

Ube beer! An unusual beer combining lager with ube, a purple yam used in Southeast Asia. On top of the lager's crisp, clean character there's a subtle sweetness. Nice to try something a bit different.

Monastery Golden Ale Stella! A clean, crisp beer that's easy to enjoy — a safe, solid choice. It's refreshing enough to pair well with pasta too.

Banana Pilgrim Banana Stout and Monastery White Cup

Banana Pilgrim Banana Stout! A dark beer with sweet banana and vanilla notes. Sweet and smooth, with a great aroma and great taste.

Monastery White Cup craft beer! A witbier-style craft beer, soft and light. As an ale it has a subtle fruity aroma and a clean finish — really delicious. Great aroma, great flavor.

I loved that there were so many beer varieties, with plenty of special craft options.

Is this Jongno pub better for a date or a group dinner?

Every beer came with a clear description, which made ordering easy, and you can pick according to your taste. In a great-atmosphere space, you get to taste a range of drinks alongside Western dishes.

Unlike a typical pub, the medieval European monastery concept gave it a special atmosphere I really liked. It's great for photos too, and good for quietly chatting over food and drinks. I'd recommend it for a Jongak Station date course or for a blind date, where atmosphere matters. With private rooms and group seating, it also works for birthday parties or company dinners!! This was Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo, a bar near Jongak with an uncommon atmosphere reminiscent of a medieval European monastery.