Seomyeon bar for a lemon-packed highball and O-Dae-Bal: Yuumangju

Today I visited a place I want to recommend to anyone looking for a new bar in Seomyeon, Busan. Seomyeon already has so many great restaurants and bars that hunting for something new is half the fun. This time I checked out a newly opened Korean-style bar in Seomyeon, Yuumangju Seomyeon Branch.

It's not just a place to drink — the side dishes clearly get a lot of attention too, so it felt like it could work as a meal-plus-drinks spot, a first round, or a second round.

Where is Yuumangju Seomyeon Branch, and what are its hours?

Yuumangju Seomyeon Branch is an easy walk from Seomyeon Station, sitting near the so-called Manchwi-gil, the strip packed with bars and restaurants in Seomyeon. It's on the 2nd floor, and there's a standing menu sign outside the building, so it was fairly easy to find even on a first visit.

For first-timers, just look for Thursday Party and head up to the 2nd floor — that should make it easy to find.

• 🚇 Transit: Near Seomyeon Station / at the start of Seomyeon's Manchwi-gil
• ⏰ Hours: Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–03:00, Fri–Sat 17:00–04:00
• 🚗 Parking: No parking at the venue ❌ use nearby paid lots
• 👥 Group-friendly / reservations available

Going up, there are all sorts of posters on the walls — fun to look at on the way.

Inside the 2nd-floor room: atmosphere and seating at Yuumangju

Once I got up to the 2nd floor and stepped inside, my first impression was that the space was bigger than I expected. A lot of bars in Seomyeon these days are cramped, with tables squeezed together, but Yuumangju felt clean overall and the tables had breathing room, so it didn't feel stuffy.

It looked like a good spot for a group of friends, but also comfortable enough for just two people to grab a drink.

I was a little taken aback by the drink prices, but since I was driving, I skipped alcohol today.

Free garlic baguette and a highball packed with lemon slices

After ordering, the friendly staff brought out garlic baguette as the basic side dish. It's crisply toasted garlic baguette eaten with sweet honey drizzled on top — good for picking at lightly while waiting for the main dish.

I think the basic side dish at a bar quietly matters a lot, and I liked that it wasn't just plain snacks but something you could actually eat properly.

While nibbling the basic side dish and waiting for the main order, ta-da~~~ and the lemon highball is a definite recommendation!!! At other places, ordering a lemon highball usually gets you one lemon slice, but Yuumangju's lemon highball comes with lemon piled high!!!

O-Dae-Bal, 34,900 won: beef intestines, chicken feet, cuttlefish and udon

O-Dae-Bal is one of Yuumangju's signature main dishes, and true to its name, it's a hearty plate letting you enjoy beef intestines (daechang), chicken feet, and cuttlefish all at once. Thick beef intestines, chewy chicken feet, and a whole cuttlefish are stir-fried together in Yuumangju's own special sauce. The cuttlefish placed in the center especially made for fun to watch, as the staff came over after ordering and cut it up for us to eat more easily.

The beef intestines are thick with a savory flavor, and the chicken feet are boneless, so they're easy to eat while still being chewy. Add the cuttlefish on top, and you get three completely different textures in one dish — that seems to be the appeal of O-Dae-Bal.

The sauce is spicy and rich, which cuts through the savory, oily flavor of the beef intestines nicely and pairs well as a drinking snack. On top of that, udon noodles are mixed in too, so the portion is quite generous. The sauce soaks into the chewy udon noodles, and eating them together was really good.

After a photo moment, the staff personally cuts up the cuttlefish.

Now that it's all cut up, let's dig in.

One drawback: no vegetables, so the platter stays heavy to the last bite

Taste-wise, the beef intestines were packed full, the cuttlefish had great texture, and the chicken feet were tender. And you already know about the udon noodles, right⁉️ It was great to have so much of the main ingredients, but I was a little sad there was no vegetable garnish ㅠ

With every ingredient being intense.intense.intense, I actually got a bit tired of it by the end (I found myself thinking of the dongchimi from my regular gonjangeo (eel) spot...). I think it would've been even better with a bit more spice or some sliced cheongyang chili for a kick to eat together.

Just my personal take though — plate cleaned.

And if you write a review, you get a generous stevia tomato bingsu (shaved ice)‼️

Is Yuumangju Seomyeon Branch worth a visit? Final verdict

Yuumangju Seomyeon Branch felt less like a place just for drinking and more like a Korean-style bar where you can enjoy good side dishes along with the atmosphere. The space itself is clean and modern, so it seemed good for visiting with friends, and also fine for a date with drinks.

Above all, the menu is varied enough that if I come back, I'd like to try the dishes I didn't get to this time. If you're looking for a new bar in Seomyeon and wondering 'where should I drink today?', I think this is a place worth checking out. 😊

Clean atmosphere, varied side dishes, and friendly staff — that's Yuumangju. I'd like to come back next time to try other menu items. 🍻