Hongdae bar with window-side seats at 6:30pm, kalbaengi: Kkoko Land

My friends and I decided to meet up in Hongdae after a while. With the weather turning cooler, I wanted somewhere that felt outdoorsy rather than indoors, and that's how I found Kkoko Land. It's a newly opened Hongdae outdoor bar, so I went in with high expectations.

Location and atmosphere at Kkoko Land

Kkoko Land is within walking distance of both Hongik University and Hapjeong stations, so accessibility was great.

The path leading in was decorated so nicely that it made a really strong first impression. We arrived around 6:30, and even though it was early, the place was already pretty busy.

True to being a Hongdae outdoor bar, they had outdoor tables set up, and the window was a full floor-to-ceiling window, making it perfect for a drink in a wide-open atmosphere. The interior was also really spacious, so it seemed well suited for group gatherings or work dinners too.

The lighting was soft and upbeat music was playing, so the vibe was lively. There was even a spinning wheel inside, which added to the cool atmosphere — bonus points.

There's a welcome drink too!

As soon as we sat down, a staff member brought us a welcome drink. It came in a pretty big glass and was orange in color — tasting it, it was like a refreshing orange-flavored cocktail. I barely noticed any alcohol, so it was nice to enjoy lightly as a pre-dinner drink. This kind of thoughtful touch put me in a good mood right from the start. It was the first time I'd ever gotten a welcome drink at a Hongdae bar, so it felt fresh.

I ran to the bathroom right after ordering, and it was genuinely spotless — each stall even had its own sink.

Kalbaengi with kal-guksu noodles

The first dish to arrive was kalbaengi! It's a dish that comes with kal-guksu (knife-cut noodles) and golbaengi-muchim (seasoned whelk salad) together, and the combination of the sweet-and-tangy whelk and vegetables with the chewy noodles was amazing. The whelk was especially plump and generous, so it had a great bite to it.

The noodles had soaked up the seasoning perfectly, and my friends all said this was genuinely delicious and wiped it out in no time. If you go to Kkoko Land, kalbaengi is a must-order menu item — I highly recommend it.

Yuringi and charcoal-grilled chicken thigh

Next came the yuringi. It's a dish of crispy fried chicken paired with a tangy soy sauce and crunchy shredded cabbage.

The batter was thin and crispy, so the texture was great, and the chicken itself was juicy and tender. The sauce wasn't overpowering and was clean-tasting, so I could keep eating it without getting tired of it. There were finely chopped cheongyang chili peppers scattered on top, adding a bit of spiciness that made for a clean finish. It went great as beer food.

Last was the charcoal-grilled chicken thigh. It came out looking gorgeous — glossy seasoned chicken thigh grilled to perfection. It was full of charcoal aroma, so even the smell alone was fantastic. Taking a bite, it had a chewy yet tender texture. The seasoning was sweet and spicy at once — the kind of taste you get addicted to.

We ate everything up nicely, then dashed off to an escape room, took some photos, and finished off the day with crepes... my stomach still feels full,,,~~

Overall thoughts on Kkoko Land

Kkoko Land's Hongdae branch had it all — delicious food, reasonable prices, and that outdoor-bar atmosphere. The staff were kind and the service was great, so I had a really enjoyable time. The kalbaengi especially is the kind of taste I know I'll keep thinking about. If you're in Hongdae wanting good food and drinks with friends, or looking for a Hongdae outdoor bar, I highly recommend Kkoko Land's Hongdae branch. I'd love to come back and try more of the menu next time. 100% would revisit!