Itaewon bar for sake with aged herring sashimi and uni: Midoriya

Midoriya is basically the original of Itaewon izakayas, having run steadily in the same spot for over 10 years! I'd been a few times before and it always delivered — a solid Itaewon restaurant, a solid Itaewon bar. Today I'll walk through the vibe, the food, and the drinking menu at this well-known Itaewon spot.

Where Midoriya is in Itaewon, and where to park

• Name: Midoriya
• Address: 19 Itaewon-ro 26-gil, 1st floor, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Open daily (check current hours before visiting)
• Parking: No dedicated lot, so use a nearby public parking lot

Walking slowly down the alley deep in Itaewon, Midoriya was easier to find than I expected. Tucked into a side street, it had a calmer feel than the busy main streets, and even the exterior gave off a quiet Japanese izakaya kind of feeling.

Inside Midoriya: the mood and the group table

Once I opened the door and stepped in, the space felt cozier than it looked from outside — soft lighting and an overall relaxed atmosphere that made me think it'd be great for taking your time over a drink.

This inner section has a bit more of a private feel, so it seems good for groups too.

Rather than loud and chaotic, Midoriya feels more like a place for quiet chats over good food and drink.

When people think of an Itaewon bar, loud music and crowded chaos often come to mind, but Midoriya has just enough energy without feeling noisy. A great spot for a date, or for a second round after a blind date!

Don't miss Midoriya's 11th anniversary event while you're there!

The basic side dish is dried radish strips (mumallaengi)!

How many kinds come on Midoriya's today's sashimi?

After chatting a while, the today's sashimi we ordered arrived. It's prepared fresh right after ordering, so it took a bit of time, but that made it worth the wait — you get it freshly plated. A single platter packed with different kinds of sashimi looked seriously appetizing.

The seafood lineup changes a little every day, and you usually get to try around 11 to 13 kinds at once, so it's great for sampling a variety in small portions. Having so many types piled generously on one plate made tasting each one fun, and since texture and flavor differed across types, it was perfect for slow eating alongside a drink. Comparing the different textures and flavors of the fresh aged sashimi piece by piece was enjoyable, and above all it's a great drinking snack — a must-order if you're at an izakaya.

Uni, salmon and aged herring sashimi

The uni (sea urchin) was really delicious. The moment it hit my mouth it melted smoothly, and the distinctive savory, rich flavor came through clearly. No fishy taste at all, so it was clean and easy to enjoy.

The combination of salmon and uni was also really nice.

I really love herring sashimi, and since Midoriya is an Itaewon izakaya that clearly knows how to age fish, the distinctive rich flavor of herring came through at just the right intensity. I dipped it lightly in soy sauce to add more umami. Best herring sashimi I've had!!!

Above all, every piece of sashimi was so well aged that the umami hit hard from the very first bite. The texture had a nice chew while staying soft, and the flavor that lingered as I chewed was appealing.

Sweet shrimp and how fresh everything tasted

The sweet shrimp lived up to its name with a subtle sweetness and a texture that melted smoothly in the mouth. It stayed plump and moist, so after one piece I kept reaching for more.

What struck me most eating through the whole platter was that no single item stood out oddly — every kind of sashimi maintained good overall freshness. Raw fish shows even a slight drop in quality immediately, in fishy taste or texture. But everything I ate that day, despite differing textures and flavors by type, stayed clean and fresh overall. The more I tasted, the more it showed the ingredients were well managed at a basic level.

Sake-steamed scallop paired with sake

They gave us sake-steamed scallops on the house. The scallops were plump, and each bite had a chewy yet tender texture, while the broth was clean with a subtle savoriness. Pairing a drink with that warm broth brought out a different kind of charm from the sashimi. Sipping the broth spoonful by spoonful in between made me crave sake, so I ordered some. Great pairing~

Final verdict: is Midoriya good for a date or a second round?

After eating at Midoriya, I came away with the impression of an Itaewon izakaya that focuses on letting good ingredients shine, rather than showy presentation. Definitely somewhere I'd come back to next time I'm in Itaewon! Trying the daily-changing today's sashimi made me understand a bit why this place has kept going steadily for so long. If you're looking for a spot where you can enjoy fresh sashimi with a relaxed drink and easy conversation, this is a low-pressure place to try — perfect for a date or a second round!!