Ido 2-dong gastropub with makgeolli and dongpa pork belly: Jichilliya

Looking for somewhere near Jeju City Hall for a light evening drink, I ended up at Jichilliya Jeju.

There are so many good restaurants and bars around Jeju City Hall that it's always hard to choose, but this time, instead of the usual soju or beer, I wanted to try something a bit different — traditional liquor paired with Korean food.

Where is Jichilliya Jeju in Ido 2-dong?

Jichilliya is located in Ido 2(i)-dong, which made it convenient when meeting someone near Jeju City Hall, and the vibe felt a bit different from the usual noisy bar scene, which I liked.

The 11-degree bamboo forest makgeolli welcome drink

One of the things I remembered most about Jichilliya was the makgeolli (rice wine) welcome drink. With the 11-degree bamboo forest welcome drink, I got to taste traditional liquor from the very start, which was a fun touch.

Even if you don't usually drink makgeolli often, starting with a small welcome drink like this made it feel approachable, and it got me curious about which traditional liquor would go well with the food.

Grilled bulgogi nabe at Jichilliya Jeju

The second dish I ordered was the grilled bulgogi nabe (hot pot). Being a warm soup dish, it was great to share while drinking.

The bulgogi had a smoky grilled flavor that made it different from a typical nabe, and it was also a good dish to share when visiting with a group.

Dongpa pork belly: price and taste

One of the dishes ordered that day was dongpa pork belly. It was priced at ₩27,000, though the menu at the time of the visit showed ₩26,000, so the price may vary depending on when you visit.

The dongpa pork belly came with softly cooked meat, making it a great pairing with drinks. If you enjoy Korean-style bar food, it's a safe and satisfying order. It was nice to order one meat dish and slowly enjoy it with traditional liquor.

Seafood bangajeon (Korean savoury pancake)

I also ordered the seafood bangajeon (savory pancake). Jeon pairs so well with makgeolli that it felt like a must-order for a table enjoying traditional liquor.

The seafood combined with the bangajip (water mint) aroma gave it a distinct character compared to a regular seafood pancake. Personally, I think ordering a bit of several dishes to sample alongside traditional liquor is the most fun way to go.

If you're looking for a bar near Jeju City Hall that offers more than just drinks, one where the food is properly enjoyable too, this kind of place fits the bill well.

Worth it for traditional liquor near Jeju City Hall?

Jichilliya Jeju had a different vibe from the usual pub or pocha (street tent bar), a place to enjoy traditional liquor alongside Korean food.

With a menu ranging from the makgeolli welcome drink to dongpa pork belly, grilled bulgogi nabe, and seafood bangajeon, there was plenty of variety to pick from according to taste. It's a good choice for a dinner with friends, or whenever you're looking for a bar with atmosphere near Jeju City Hall.