Corkage-free bar near Konkuk Univ. with unlimited egg soup: Yukhoe

You know the Sejong University cafeteria is famous for being tasty, right? Plenty of people around me make a special trip just to eat its great-value meals!

But it feels a shame to eat at the Sejong University cafeteria and just leave, so today I'm introducing a budget-friendly bar near Konkuk Univ. and Sejong University that goes perfectly with it. Where is it? It's Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch (육회공작소 세종대본점)!

Where is Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch?

Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch is at 50 Gunja-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. It's a 3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station via the Okrumong alley, or a 7-minute walk from Exit 1 of Konkuk Univ. Station through Hwayang Market.

It's close to the subway, so it's a great bar to reach on foot.

What are the opening hours?

Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch is open from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m., which makes it ideal for drinking late into the night.

It's been hard to find bars open this late lately, so this is perfect.

Is there parking?

Sadly, there's no official parking space. B-u-t there are places to park nearby.

• Paid parking: Dongdo Centreville, ₩3,000 per hour
• Free parking: the park lot near Hwayang Police Station
• Free parking: in front of closed shops

What's the atmosphere like?

In one word, the vibe is a "mood pub" (gamseong jujeom). It's izakaya style mixed with mood pub, so you get a bit of everything.

The interior is just the right amount of dark with warm tones, which makes it great for chatting over a drink, so it suits blind dates and couples' dates too. It really is a good place for conversation.

Partitioned seats and bar seats: can you drink solo?

Private partitions plus cherry blossom lighting make it pure mood! It's great for dates, but just as good for drinking alone. There are even bar seats and single-serving menus, so it's perfect for a quiet solo drink.

Can you reserve group tables?

And! Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch has group tables and takes reservations, so if you're looking for a group bar near Konkuk Univ. or Sejong University, I recommend booking ahead.

Recommended menu and prices

True to a budget bar near Konkuk Univ., Yukhoe Gongjakso has a really wide menu! What's especially good is that, unlike ordinary yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) specialists, it's a bar where you can enjoy both raw and grilled meat.

Beef yakiniku brazier grill (top blade) ₩12,900

The beef yakiniku brazier grill (top blade) is ₩12,900, and it's top-grade Black Angus top blade, which they call America's answer to Korean Hanwoo beef. One serving is this much, 200g!

For the yakiniku you actually get a small brazier. Grilling it yourself on the little brazier makes it more fun, because it feels like an experience rather than just a meal. And grilling only what you'll eat, right when you eat it, makes it taste even better.

The portion is generous and the seasoning is just right, so every single piece is delicious. Meat with a smoky char flavor? You can't go wrong.

Yukhoe platter ₩23,900

The yukhoe platter is ₩23,900, made with top-grade, chilled Australian beef round, trimmed from cattle slaughtered at dawn, as top-quality yukhoe and yuksashimi (raw beef sashimi). The platter comes with both yukhoe and yuksashimi. The portion is seriously generous!

It's not frozen. It's clean Australian beef slaughtered at dawn, so the condition is truly top-notch!!

The yukhoe here is sweet, nutty and tender, practically melting in your mouth, and the nuttiness of the sesame oil blends with the sweetness just right, so it goes down easily!

The yuksashimi has no seasoning, yet it's so fresh there's no fishy or gamey taste at all. It's chewy but thin and easy to eat, and the beef flavor is the best.

Beef torch sushi (7 pieces) ₩11,900

The beef torch sushi (7 pieces) is ₩11,900, topped with wagyu round and torched for a smoky flavor, and is said to be a popular drinking snack in Hwayang-dong. A good restaurant near Konkuk Univ. should let you eat rice too, right? The smoky beef sushi fills up your carbs happily.

Katsuo takoyaki ₩3,900

The katsuo takoyaki (octopus balls with bonito flakes) is ₩3,900. If you're full, or your wallet is getting thin, fill the gap with takoyaki.

Why is Yukhoe Gongjakso a budget bar near Konkuk Univ.?

An honest review of this Konkuk Univ. bar!! Was it really that good?

Reason 1) Unlimited beef egg soup

The reason Yukhoe Gongjakso is a great-value bar near Konkuk Univ. is the free side dish. It's beef egg soup with a beef bone broth base, and the flavor is deep and rich. It would be a satisfying menu item on its own! And it's unlimited refills. The best.

Reason 2) 900ml sake at half price, ₩19,900

A budget bar should have cheap drinks too, right? At Yukhoe Gongjakso, 900ml of sake, the star drink of any izakaya, is on a half-price deal for ₩19,900, which makes me even happier.

Reason 3) Free corkage

When I look for a budget bar near Konkuk Univ., corkage (the fee for bringing your own bottle) is something I always check. Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch is corkage-free. You can enjoy any drink without paying a corkage fee.

Reason 4) Value-for-money snacks

What lets this budget bar near Konkuk Univ. also be called a great restaurant is the food. Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch has a wide lineup including yukhoe, salmon, mungtigi (Daegu-style raw beef), yakiniku, jokbal (braised pig's feet) and bossam (boiled pork wraps), plus even ₩3,900 items, so you get value for money and satisfaction both.

Where to go after the Sejong University cafeteria?

Don't just eat at the Sejong University cafeteria and leave! After the cafeteria, have a date at Children's Grand Park, then enjoy the budget bar Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch.