Hongdae okonomiyaki restaurant, Friday 8pm wait: Jojo Yeonnam Branch

I have a particular weakness for izakayas, so whenever I'm meeting a friend, an izakaya-style Japanese restaurant is the first thing I look up. This time we had plans in Hongdae, and I heard Jojo — famous for its brutal waits in Yongsan — had opened a branch in Yeonnam-dong too, so I ran right over.

Here's my honest review of Jojo Yeonnam Branch, the okonomiyaki spot run by a chef from Culinary Class Wars.

Where is Jojo Yeonnam Branch, and how far is it from Hongdae Station?

Jojo Yeonnam Branch is a 7-minute walk from Hongdae Station (Hongik University Station) Exit 3.

The opening hours looked like they have a bit of flexibility to them.

They're open from 11:30 to 22:00, with a break time from 15:20 to 17:00 — I'd recommend avoiding that window.

Last order is split into two slots, 14:30 and 21:10, so keep that in mind too.

Parking near Jojo Yeonnam Branch

You're probably wondering about parking — unfortunately, Jojo Yeonnam Branch has no parking of its own. You'll need to use a nearby public lot.

• 🚘 Yeonnam 3 Public Parking Lot — 229-66 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• 🚘 Yeonnam 1, 4 Roadside Public Parking — 224-68 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Rate: ₩250 per 5 minutes, operating hours 11:00–22:00

I'd recommend searching on the "Modu Parking" app and parking at whichever lot is closest.

I visited around 8pm on a Friday, and there was a wait even then. It felt like the famous Yongsan wait had followed the branch straight to Yeonnam-dong. I'd actually been to the Yongsan branch a few months earlier too.

The seating is all 2-tops and 4-tops, so it looked good for both dates and group visits. The Yongsan branch's first floor is actually counter seating, which made it a bit awkward to set menus down. Here at the Yeonnam branch, though, the tables are decently roomy, which made eating much easier.

Jojo Yeonnam Branch also takes Naver Reservations, so if a wait worries you, I'd strongly recommend booking ahead.

An honest review of the Jojo Yeonnam Branch menu

Jojo sticks closely to traditional Osaka methods,

cooking everything on a specially made large teppan at high heat. It was clearly a different animal from the okonomiyaki I usually eat as a side dish at izakayas.

Jojo okonomiyaki, ₩17,000

This is Jojo's signature dish, packed with pork, beef, shrimp, and squid. With that much filling, it felt hearty inside, but the portion itself wasn't actually that big once we started eating.

So we ended up adding another dish alongside it.

Karai yakisoba, ₩14,000

This is Jojo's Japanese-style spicy yakisoba (stir-fried noodles), made with their own special sauce.

The spice level was calibrated to Japanese standards, so to me it just tasted like fairly ordinary yakisoba. If you go in expecting real heat, you might be a little disappointed.

That said, the umami was strong, and it went down great with drinks. My friend that day enjoyed both dishes, which made me happy too.

Waterfall potato, ₩7,000

Waterfall potato is a side dish that's cute just from the visuals alone — an egg sitting on top of mashed potato.

I'd actually had this dish before at the Jojo Yongsan branch. I remembered it being good, so I ordered it again here at the Yeonnam branch.

My friend loves potatoes, so this dish was basically mandatory at our table. Even at a different branch, it was just as good.

Lemon sour ₩7,900 and strawberry highball ₩8,000

I ordered a lemon sour, and my friend got a strawberry highball.

The strawberry highball felt closer to a strawberry drink, while the lemon sour had a noticeably stronger alcohol taste. Either one is a no-regrets choice depending on your preference.

Why Jojo Yeonnam Branch is worth the trip

Real okonomiyaki griddled in front of you

This isn't the okonomiyaki you eat as a side dish — it's the kind Japanese people eat as an actual meal. Cooked at high heat on a specially made teppan, it was a clearly different taste.

A wait-worthy name already proven at the Yongsan branch

Jojo, famous for long waits in Yongsan, has finally opened in Yeonnam-dong, and my friend and I rushed over. Given there was still a wait at 8pm, it seems the word has already spread in Yeonnam-dong too.

Comfortable tables for two or four

With everything from 2-tops to 4-tops available, it's an easy choice whether you're on a date or out with a group of friends.

Tips that make a visit to Jojo Yeonnam Branch better

If you visit for lunch, use the lunch size-up coupon. Also, apparently if you tell the owner "You're so handsome," you get a free oolong tea — but you have to say it to the owner directly, so keep that in mind. You can also get a free oolong tea for writing a Naver review.

Easy walk from Hongdae Station Exit 3

It's just a 7-minute walk from Hongdae Station Exit 3, so getting there by public transit is no trouble at all.

Final verdict on Jojo Yeonnam Branch

• 📍 Location: 7-minute walk from Hongdae Station Exit 3
• ⏰ Hours: 11:30–22:00 / break time 15:20–17:00 / last order 14:30, 21:10
• 🅿️ Parking: no on-site parking, use nearby public lots (₩250 per 5 min, 11:00–22:00)
• ✨ Tips: use the lunch size-up coupon, compliment the owner for free oolong tea, or write a Naver review for free oolong tea

Just like the Yongsan branch, evenings can have a wait, so I'd recommend booking ahead via Naver Reservations or visiting with some time to spare.