Seoul Forest whisky back bar and teppanyaki counter: Oshi Black

Today I want to introduce a special teppanyaki restaurant near Seoul Forest Station where you can enjoy proper Japanese food, cold beer, and an impressive whisky lineup all at once. I love Japanese food, so I always seek out good okonomiyaki or yakisoba spots, and this place delivered on mood, visuals, and taste. This is Oshi Black Seongsu (오시블랙성수)!

How to find Oshi Black Seongsu from Seoul Forest Station Exit 2

Oshi Black Seongsu sits between Seoul Forest Station Exit 2 and Ttukseom Station, tucked into an alley off Seoulsup 4-gil. The big lettering visible from the mouth of the alley and the striking brick facade at the building entrance made it easy to find even on a first visit.

The interior touches right from the entrance are so pretty that this would make a perfect Seongsu date or Seoul Forest date spot. It's apparently appeared on TV too, so my expectations were already sky-high before even walking in.

Putting your name down at the Catch Table kiosk

Fitting for such a popular spot, the waiting system was well set up. A Catch Table kiosk sits right at the entrance, making it convenient to register on the spot or reserve ahead of your visit.

Down the sticky-note stairwell: inside the basement dining room

The whole stairwell leading down to the basement dining room is covered in visitors' sticky notes and dramatic red lantern light, giving it a cozy yet unique mood. Every corner felt like a photo spot, so it was fun snapping pictures along the way.

Stepping inside, a dark, upscale mood of woodtones and black greeted us. Once seated, neatly arranged tableware and dedicated tools were waiting — the mini spatula for cutting into okonomiyaki was too cute.

What's on the Oshi Black Seongsu menu and whisky back bar

Once seated, we looked over the menu and the bar table. The lineup was solid, from the signature Oshi okonomiyaki to various yakisoba and side fried dishes. The back bar especially caught the eye, lined with elegant single malt and blended whiskies like Yamazaki, Hibiki, and Balvenie, plus Tanqueray gin and Kraken rum. It's basically heaven for highball or whisky fans, and a perfect place for Seongsu daytime drinking or Seoul Forest daytime drinking.

Watching the teppan open kitchen from the bar-table seats

We took the bar table (dachi seat), where you can watch the chef's teppan cooking process up close. The open kitchen's clean, upscale black tones gave a sense of trust, and watching the live cooking meant there was never a dull moment while waiting.

As soon as the order went in, the chef began cooking on the teppan with flashy hand movements. The sizzling sound and savory smell hit right away, making my mouth water just watching.

Kirin draft beer with potato salad beans to start

You can't have good teppan food without a cold beer! We first ordered a glass of Kirin draft, cold as thin ice with a smooth head of foam. One sip and the carbonated refreshment hit straight through, living up to any Ttukseom Station beer-spot reputation.

Before the mains, our side order of potato salad beans arrived. Savory potato salad topped with crunchy crumble, mayonnaise, and baked beans made for a fun-textured appetizer that got our appetite going.

How did the yakisoba pork belly rolls and okonomiyaki taste?

Next came a special dish: yakisoba wrapped up in golden-fried egg omelet and pork belly. The savory outside and chewy stir-fried noodles packed with crisp cabbage inside made every bite burst with rich umami. Crunchy tempura scraps (tenkasu) on top added even more texture — a true work of art.

And finally, the star menu, okonomiyaki, arrived on the teppan! A cute bear-shaped candle was lit for a little fire show, delighting the eyes as much as the mouth. This kind of thoughtful touch would definitely score points on an anniversary or a date.

Fresh shrimp and pork paired perfectly with generous handmade green onion shreds and dancing bonito flakes. The outside was crisp while the inside stayed soft and moist, deeply infused with the sweet-savory flavor of sauce and mayonnaise. After the meal, they even brought out sweet, refreshing palate-cleansing candy from an antique jewelry-style box, ending things on a high note. It made total sense why this place is talked about as a Seongsu okonomiyaki spot.

From the mood to the plating, to the attentive service and the finishing touches after the meal, everything about this Seoul Forest Japanese restaurant, Oshi Black Seongsu, was on point! Whether you want a date in an atmospheric spot with your partner, or want to unwind with cold draft beer, highballs, and proper teppan cooking, I'd recommend this place without hesitation!