Mentaiko egg roll at Nani Byeolgwan, a Yeongdeungpo izakaya

Grilled skewers I could eat every day without getting tired of. I still can't forget those pork belly skewers wrapped around scallions. Today I'm reviewing Nani Byeolgwan, an izakaya bar in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.

Where is Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch? Hours and parking

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is right across from Yeongdeungpo Times Square, on the 1st floor at 183 Munnae-ro. Hours are Monday-Saturday 18:00-02:00, closed Sundays.

• Address: 183 Munnae-ro, 1st Floor, Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch
• Hours: Mon-Sat 18:00-02:00 (closed Sundays)
• Corkage available, reservations available, Wi-Fi available, gender-separated restrooms, group-friendly
• Parking: public parking lot nearby

Among all the ordinary buildings on the street, one full-of-character building catches your eye.

It looks like something out of a Ghibli movie. I wanted to hurry inside and sit down right away. It's a standalone two-story building with an old-fashioned yet cozy feel — tiled-roof-style eaves and softly glowing yellow lights create a warm, comfortable tavern mood.

The wooden entrance door, not overly flashy but full of charm, blends beautifully with the vintage wall interior, giving off the vibe of a go-to hideout for a quick, easy drink on the way home from work. This is exactly what makes a solid, atmospheric hotspot.

Counter seats, tables and the 2nd-floor group room at Nani Byeolgwan

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo has dachi (open-kitchen bar) seats and table seats, with the 2nd floor reserved for group seating. I sat at the dachi seats, and it was fun to be able to see the kitchen directly.

The interior atmosphere was just as full of character as the outside. Word seems to have spread that this is an izakaya in Yeongdeungpo with both great vibes and great food, because customers kept pouring in. Reservations are a must.

Every seat comes with a basket like this for storing your belongings. So nice not having to put your bag or coat on the floor!

This is the space behind the dachi seats. The photo makes it look a bit narrow, but it's actually more spacious in person. There are several charming table seats, and up the stairs is the group seating area. People were already up there that day so I couldn't get a photo, but it looked like it could fit up to 10 people.

What we ordered and what it cost: skewers and mentaiko egg roll

At Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch we ordered three things: scallion pork belly skewers (₩15,000), chicken skewers (₩15,000), and mentaiko (pollack roe) egg roll (₩20,000). The basic side dish is a cabbage salad drizzled with a salty sauce — this little snack alone could go with a beer.

Cooking started right there in the open kitchen. I already love skewers, so I was really looking forward to this.

A little stone tissue-holder I took a photo of because it was cute. Looks like the soot sprites from Spirited Away, haha.

Scallion pork belly skewers: 15,000 won for 6 pieces

First up: the scallion pork belly skewers! The cross-section shows off the vivid green of scallions packed in without a single gap, and the sweet teriyaki-style sauce coats the surface so well it makes your mouth water. One bite and the savory juices of well-grilled pork belly mingle harmoniously with the fragrant scallion. The scallion's crunch cuts through the pork's richness cleanly, making this a great snack you can enjoy neatly from start to finish without getting sick of it.

In an era full of lazy izakayas that just reheat premade skewers, this Yeongdeungpo branch of Nani Byeolgwan actually grills them over charcoal fire. The flames flared up beautifully as they cooked. Every skewer was infused evenly with a deep smoky flavor — really delicious.

Packed full of scallions... not the least bit greasy, genuinely delicious. And six skewers for ₩15,000?! The portion was bigger than expected, which made me happy.

Second, a dip in the mayonnaise that comes alongside. Smoky flavor plus mayo — genuinely delicious...?

Chicken skewers, 15,000 won, made with chicken thigh

The second dish was the chicken skewers — two coated in red seasoning and three plain. The gentle smoky flavor soaks all the way into the meat, and the juices stay locked in, keeping it tender. On one side of the plate were pickled chili peppers to cut the richness, along with savory mayo and shichimi seasoning, so you could mix and match dips to enjoy a variety of flavors.

Not chicken breast skewers — chicken thigh skewers!!! The meat was plump and tender. This place is genuinely a skewer spot...

Proper smoky flavor all through — I could've demolished this one alone, no problem.

Mentaiko egg roll, 20,000 won

The last dish: mentaiko (pollack roe) egg roll. It arrived looking fluffy and soft. Steam rising off it — I wanted to eat it right away.

My precious egg roll, covered in mentaiko-mayo sauce. On top of the sweet, moist egg roll, the salty, savory mentaiko sauce is drizzled on beautifully, adding extra appeal. One bite and the sweetness of the softly melting egg meets the umami of the mentaiko for a perfect sweet-and-salty combination. It's a great palate cleanser after skewers — light, unfussy, and smooth to eat.

Can you tell how moist it is...? Every bite gave off both fluffy and moist textures at once. And when the mentaiko flavor hits, it's such a fantastic egg roll...

Is Nani Byeolgwan worth a visit? The verdict

Ending on the empty-plate shot. It was a truly great meal. Probably the best izakaya in Yeongdeungpo. I've never had skewers this good anywhere else. The scallion pork belly skewers especially come highly recommended — the number one dish you absolutely have to try.

This was my visit to Nani Byeolgwan, a Yeongdeungpo izakaya where I got to enjoy neatly made, handcrafted snacks in a cozy, charming atmosphere. From the gently smoky skewers to the crunchy scallion pork belly skewers and the soft mentaiko egg roll, every dish was high quality — I was very satisfied.

If you want to wind down the day with a quick, satisfying meal and a drink in a comfortable space, I highly recommend stopping by 🥹