Jonggak second-round pub: gorgonzola pizza and two-beer set, Sudowonui

What is Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo, a second-round pub in Jonggak?

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo (수도원의 비밀 저장고, "the monastery's secret cellar") is a dining pub with a medieval European monastery concept, on the first basement floor in Jonggak's Youth Street. On a weekday evening, after a great barbecue first round, we were wandering Youth Street looking for a second round when a standing signboard caught my eye!

It felt like hopping in a time machine and landing in a secret space in medieval Europe. And that place is "Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo"!

If you're looking for a date bar in Jonggak, a Jongno blind-date spot or a place with atmosphere for a company dinner, here's my honest review of Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo. 💕

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo location and opening hours

The address is B1, 47-1 Samil-daero 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Jonggak Station (Line 1) or Exit 3 of Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2). It's open daily 17:00–24:00, and until 23:00 on Sundays.

• Address: B1, 47-1 Samil-daero 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Transport: 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Jonggak Station (Line 1) / 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2)
• Hours: Daily 17:00–24:00 (Sundays until 23:00)
• Features: medieval European monastery-concept dining pub; the menu is said to be by a chef who worked at the Hilton in New Zealand; specializes in craft beer and wine

Just look for the atmospheric signboard on the first floor and head downstairs!

Even the stairs down to the basement are decorated like the way into a medieval castle, so my excitement shot up right from the entrance. 🕯️

💡 Tip: If there are no customers before last order, the pub may close early, so if you're going late, I'd recommend calling ahead to check!

What are the interior and seating like at Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo?

The inside has a medieval European mood: dark tones, warm indirect lighting, wine bottles and knight armor props. Seating ranges from bar tables to rooms and group seats.

We visited late on a Monday evening, around 9 p.m.!

Since it was late on a Monday, we got in with no wait, and the place was relaxed enough that I could take lovely photos.

The ceiling is so high you'd never believe it's a basement, and the place was really pleasant and cozy!

Overall it's dark-toned with soft, warm indirect lighting, creating a dreamy, moody atmosphere.

Wine bottles lined up along the walls, medieval knight armor and other props blend together so well that the unique interior alone was worth the visit.

There's a good variety: moody bar tables, large tables, bright rooms that feel private, and group seating. It looked great for a Jonggak date, a private gathering or a company dinner. 🍷

Even the table setting follows the medieval monastery theme

Even the basics like small plates, cups and forks follow the medieval concept. When you're shown to your table, the tableware is already set out!

The small plates, cups and forks are antique and carefully chosen to match the medieval theme.

With a warm candle lit on every table, just sitting there made the mood romantic. ✨

What's in the Monastery's First Glass Set, and how much is it?

The First Glass Set (수도원의 첫 잔 세트) is a ₩38,900 set of one pizza and two craft beers. We chose the gorgonzola pizza, the dark beer 'Seongjeonui Geueullim' and the pale ale 'Seongjaui Jeongwon'.

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo is a dining pub whose dishes are made by a chef who worked at the Hilton in New Zealand, so the food is said to be very high quality! The barbecue is apparently the real star here, but we'd already had plenty of meat for the first round, so we went with the pizza set.

• Menu: First Glass Set (1 pizza + 2 craft beers)
• Price: ₩38,900
• Pizza chosen: gorgonzola pizza

• Craft beers chosen: Seongjeonui Geueullim (dark beer), Seongjaui Jeongwon (pale ale)

How do the Seongjeonui Geueullim and Seongjaui Jeongwon craft beers taste?

The dark beer Seongjeonui Geueullim had a heavy smoky aroma and bittersweet edge, while the pale ale Seongjaui Jeongwon was fresh and fruity with a clean finish.

The craft beers come out on special antique-style coasters that really feel medieval!

Seongjeonui Geueullim (dark beer)

Heavy yet nutty, with a deep smoky aroma and bittersweet finish. Excellent.

Seongjaui Jeongwon (pale ale)

Fresh fruity aroma and a clean finish made it perfect for easy sipping!

How was the honey-dipped gorgonzola pizza?

The gorgonzola pizza comes with a golden-baked crust piled with arugula and a side of honey. With fresh arugula heaped on the golden pizza, it passed the looks test right away!

Dipping the crisp, savory cheese flavor generously into the sweet honey made it a top-tier match with the craft beer.

You could really taste the skill of the Hilton-trained chef. 🍯🍕

Verdict: a second-round date pub worth recommending in Jonggak

An overwhelming atmosphere like stepping into a secret medieval European monastery, a high ceiling, quality craft beer and tasty food to go with it!

If you're looking for a different, romantic date course near Jonggak or Jongno, or a dining pub with atmosphere, I confidently recommend Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo.