Osaka-style teppanyaki near Hongik Univ. Station: table griddles, Jojo

The weather has been so lovely lately that I took a relaxed weekday-lunch outing to Yeonnam-dong. Today's place is a teppanyaki restaurant from Culinary Class Wars fame, already known to everyone for its long waits in Seongsu and Yongsan: Jojo Yeonnam Branch (죠죠 연남점)!

After Seongsu and Yongsan, I heard that Jojo officially opened in Yeonnam-dong on October 1, 2024, and I'd been dying to go. I finally got to visit on a relaxed weekday lunch.

Where is Jojo Yeonnam Branch and how do you park?

Jojo Yeonnam Branch is at 255-1 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor, Yeonnam-dong 229-51), a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station, so it's really easy to reach. The restaurant has no parking of its own, so if you drive, you'll need to use a nearby public lot.

• Address: 1st floor, Yeonnam-dong 229-51, Mapo-gu, Seoul (255-1 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
• Public transport: 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station
• Parking: no dedicated parking; use nearby public lots (Yeonnam 3 Public Parking Lot, Yeonnam 4 on-street public parking lot)

Atmosphere and the perks of a griddle at your table

The moment I walked into Jojo Yeonnam Branch, the soft, exotic lighting gave me the feeling of stepping into a little alley restaurant in Japan.

One of the biggest reasons Jojo is loved as a Japanese spot in Yeonnam-dong is its custom-made large griddle. It keeps the traditional Osaka method and cooks at high heat, and watching it happen is half the fun. On top of that, every table has its own griddle, so the kitchen finishes the dish and then places it on the griddle at your table.

Thanks to that, the food doesn't go cold until the meal is over, and I could enjoy it with the same warmth and crispness as the first bite. I'd only ever had okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake) as a light drinking snack, but Jojo is on another level from izakayas that use frozen products. It serves the true taste of Osaka-style teppanyaki, the kind eaten as a proper meal in Japan, and I could really feel why so many people name it a top Japanese spot in Yeonnam.

What comes in the Signature set for 2 at Jojo Yeonnam Branch?

The Signature set for 2 at Jojo Yeonnam Branch lets you try the signature dishes all at once: donpeiyaki, karai yakisoba and Jojo okonomiyaki. I ordered it on my weekday lunch visit. It's a best-of combination with all of Jojo's personality in it, so I'd strongly recommend it to first-timers!

1. Donpeiyaki

The donpeiyaki came out first: a Japanese-style rolled omelet with a moist egg batter packed with thick pork belly, cheese and cabbage. The moment I picked up a bite with chopsticks, the soft egg, savory pork belly, salty sauce and cheese came together perfectly. Because it stays warm on the griddle, the texture doesn't fall apart easily, which made it a great appetizer.

2. Karai yakisoba

Next came the karai yakisoba (spicy fried noodles), Jojo Yeonnam's stir-fried noodles with plump, springy noodles soaked in a mildly spicy special sauce. Many visitors call it their "life-changing yakisoba," and the texture and flavor of the noodles really were overwhelming.

Break the savory soft-yolk egg on top and toss it through the noodles. The spicy sauce is tasty without being harsh, and it cleanly cuts through the heaviness of the okonomiyaki, making a perfect pairing.

3. Jojo okonomiyaki (scallion topping recommended)

Finally, the Jojo okonomiyaki, Jojo's main event, made its entrance! A must-order dish, and its thick look alone was overwhelming.

Seafood and meat go in generously in big pieces, and the combination of crunchy cabbage, squid and shrimp was a work of art. I especially recommend adding the scallion topping to the Jojo okonomiyaki!

The sharp scallion aroma blends with the sweet-salty sauce, so there's no time to get tired of it, and I enjoyed it perfectly down to the last piece.

Who would enjoy Jojo Yeonnam Branch?

• Anyone looking for a date spot: the interior has great atmosphere and the food looks gorgeous, so it's a top choice in Yeonnam-dong for photos.
• Anyone who wants the real taste of Osaka: for everyone who wants real Osaka-style cooking grilled over direct heat on a large griddle, not frozen or fake okonomiyaki.
• Anyone who wants good value and atmosphere: if you want a hearty Japanese meal in the Hongdae area, the Signature set for 2 makes a filling, satisfying meal.

It was a healing day with proper Japanese teppanyaki in the warm weekday-lunch sunshine. If you want a flawless, perfect meal in a lovely atmosphere, be sure to visit Jojo Yeonnam Branch in Yeonnam-dong!