Jungnang izakaya with 12-piece sushi and donjiru: Gappo Ganbariya

I wanted to spend a cozy evening with delicious Japanese food, so I visited Gappo Ganbariya Cooking Bar Junghwa Branch. Let me introduce this Junghwa-dong restaurant and bar, this Junghwa Station izakaya, this Junghwa Japanese spot.

Where is Gappo Ganbariya Junghwa Branch? A minute from Junghwa Station Exit 1

Gappo Ganbariya Cooking Bar Junghwa Branch was close to Exit 1 of Junghwa Station. Even from the outside, it had that distinctive, emotional izakaya vibe.

Walking inside, the lighting was soft and clean, and I felt good the moment I stepped in.

What we ordered at Gappo Ganbariya: four picks on the tablet

At Gappo Ganbariya, you can order easily using the tablet installed at each table, so I took my time browsing the photos. Wow... there were so many delicious-looking dishes that I had trouble deciding what to order. In the end, we ordered four items total.

The free starter: sweet potato fritters made by the owner

A free sweet potato fritter came out as a pre-meal snack. It was crispy on the outside and soft inside — the real deal — so my hand kept reaching for more. Since the owner made it personally, it tasted even better.

It was fried at just the right thickness, so the crunch really held up. And the portion was generous — the owner's generosity really showed.

Special sushi 12p: what comes on the platter, uni included

Finally, the dish I'd been most looking forward to arrived — the special sushi 12-piece platter. The moment it landed on the table, I let out a gasp; the visuals and composition were so satisfying.

Tuna, salmon, seasonal fish, shrimp, uni, and other fresh premium neta topped the platter evenly. The cuts were thick yet well-aged, melting in my mouth the moment I bit in.

The rice seasoning and stickiness paired perfectly with the fish — as good as a proper omakase or high-end sushi restaurant.

Every dish felt made with care, and the quality exceeded my expectations.

Why add a half futomaki roll and donjiru pork miso soup?

Next, we had the half futomaki and donjiru (Japanese pork miso soup) too. Since sushi alone might have felt slightly lacking, these sides rounded out the meal nicely.

Even though it was a half portion, each piece was hefty and had real presence. Inside was packed tight with fresh sashimi, fluffy sweet tamagoyaki (rolled egg), and crunchy vegetables. With one big bite, a wave of varied flavors and textures burst out in harmony.

The balance of ingredients was so good that even after getting full, I kept reaching for more. I also dipped it in a spicy, sharp sauce.

Both the fillings and the main ingredients were packed generously, making every bite blissful. This chef really has exceptional skill. I'd call this a true Junghwa-dong restaurant and bar, Junghwa Station izakaya, Junghwa Japanese food spot!

Next was the donjiru that warmed us up between bites. It was loaded generously with pork and vegetables, so the broth was rich yet clean, with a deep, savory flavor.

It wasn't greasy and had a nice umami depth, pairing perfectly with the raw-fish-heavy dishes. It was the kind of comforting dish that warms you up on a chilly day or after a tiring day at work.

I thought you don't even need to travel all the way to Japan for this. Whenever you want neat, high-quality sushi and Japanese side dishes near Jungnang-dong — or a cozy spot to share a meal and a drink with someone special — this place is more than good enough.

Lastly, a fizzy, refreshing cider gave us a cool finish to the meal. It was the perfect combo to end the meal cleanly without any greasiness. They even brought an ice glass along with it..! That thoughtfulness really got me.

I had a satisfying meal today~ Next time, I definitely want to come back to try their other signature Japanese dishes!

Inside Gappo Ganbariya: mood, seating and tablet ordering

Gappo Ganbariya Junghwa Branch combines understated, soft lighting with neat wood interiors, so the moment you open the door you get a comfortable yet stylish feeling.

The warm, calm mood is well maintained, making it a great spot for a date or a small gathering. Thanks to the touch-screen tablet menu at every table, you can order at your own pace by browsing photos and descriptions without needing to call staff over. Extra orders or requests get sent with just a few taps, so the flow of the meal never breaks.

The tables are spaced generously apart, so you can chat comfortably without disturbing the next table, and the dishware and tables were kept spotlessly clean, making the whole visit feel pleasant.

One wall of the restaurant is filled with autographs from well-known celebrities, and it made clear that this is a place already famous among those in the know — a genuinely popular spot. It became clear why it got famous purely through word of mouth.

It's more than just a neighborhood bar — the atmosphere and the food together proved exactly why it has become a hotspot worth seeking out on a special occasion.