Mapo Korean pub for crispy seafood pancakes: Dambaek Jujeom

Dambaek Jujeom’s exterior and location near Sangsu

Dambaek Jujeom (담백주점)

Oh my, isn’t that exterior just so pretty~~ Makes me want to run right in!!

The public parking lot isn’t far away either, so keep that in mind!! It’s such a hot spot that public parking is a little pricey, but if you’re taking the subway, it’s an easy walk from Hapjeong too!!

This is also a great place to come for a solo drink, and they even sell boiled pork belly and pork jowl in single portions!? They also have lunch specials, so how about stopping by at lunchtime too~~~ Anyway, I’m craving some clean, simple bar food haha

Dambaek Jujeom’s motto: diligence. honesty. humility. It’s full of things I need to learn haha. I’m diligent and honest, but I think I’m still a little short on humility, so 2027 will be the year I work hard at learning it! (Putting it off until next year..^^)

A Korean pub interior in white and natural wood

Inside the pub

The interior was neatly done up in white and natural wood, fitting for a Korean pub, and more than anything, I loved the mood created by those tables and lights. Ohhh, it feels like the drinks would just go down so smoothly here~!? Are Sangsu’s good pubs just built different~~

They even have separate two-person tables for solo drinkers, so take note!! Since they also do lunch specials, I think office workers around Sangsu or Hapjeong would really enjoy visiting. Maybe it’s because the interior is so pretty, but it feels cozy and like the drinks would go down wonderfully here!?!?

The menu was wonderfully simple. Simple is the best! It means less agonizing over choices, and you can instantly see what you want to eat—I really liked that!? Since I came here as a second stop that day, I chose light, yet(?) clean-tasting bar food!

Just how crispy was the seafood buchujeon?

Seafood buchujeon (chive pancake) (₩18,000)

At last, the chive pancake I ordered arrived!! It was covered with lots of pretty shrimp, and the thick pieces of squid really stood out~~ Best of all, you could barely see any flour batter between the chives, which made both the flavor and texture even better—it was incredibly crispy. Ohhh, on a rainy day, this with makgeolli would be absolutely perfect?!?! I guess Sangsu’s good eats really are different—this place is absolutely worth coming to from Hapjeong too~!? Such a good menu choice for a Korean pub~~

Oh, can you see how substantial those shrimp are? hahaha My little plate was completely full~~ Take a bite of the chive pancake with shrimp and that crispy yet moist, chewy squid, and then?? Come on, raise that glass—what are you waiting for~~

Grilled tofu bursting with perilla-oil aroma

Perilla-oil grilled tofu (₩8,000)

Even if it was a second stop, having only one dish would be a little sad~~!? Today’s clean-tasting part two!! Perilla-oil grilled tofu. The owner is truly good at cooking, because getting that color on grilled tofu is surprisingly difficult, you know? (Tofu expert, seriously.) The color was so beautiful, and when I tasted it, the perilla-oil aroma came through right away~~ It was fragrant and full of savory umami, so I enjoyed it so much. It felt like even if I ate a lot today, my stomach would stay refreshed, which made it even easier to relax with a drink. If you’re wondering where to go for a second stop or lunch in Sangsu or Hapjeong, how about Dambaek Jujeom for a simple meal and a drink!?