Local places · 62 stories
Bars in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Kaken is an izakaya right outside Exit 2 of Dangsan Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. I stopped by for a second round with a friend, ordered a 10-skewer assortment and Suntory draft beer at the kitchen-facing bar, and enjoyed watching the grilling despite the busy Sunday evening crowd.
Ito is a basement izakaya in Gwangjin, Seoul, about a two-minute walk from Konkuk University Station. Three of us shared assorted sashimi, a mizutaki set, and Napolitan udon; the partitioned tables made conversation easy, though Saturday seats filled quickly after 6 p.m.
Ito is an izakaya in Gwangjin, Seoul, about a two-minute walk from Konkuk University Station Exit 2. My partner and I shared a mille-feuille nabe and assorted sashimi set; the high partitions made conversation easy, and the thick-cut sashimi stood out.
Motsumo Sejong Dodam Branch is an izakaya in Dodam-dong, Sejong, where I had a warm dinner with a companion. We ordered miso motsunabe, peach soda, and matcha mochi ridofu; the rich broth and dessert texture were good, but the soy-sauce-like dessert sauce was not to my taste.
Nani is an izakaya in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, near Exit 3 of Yeouido Station. After a walk at Yeouido Hangang Park, the two of us shared lamb shoulder rack and spicy Nagasaki jjamppong nabe; the juicy lamb stood out, and the partitioned seating made conversation easy despite the lack of private rooms.
Hey Jinny is a cooking bar on the second floor, a one-minute walk from Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung, Seoul. I ordered the Osaka Nibo Ebi oil pasta, eoyang gaji, and two highballs; the shrimp-forward pasta stood out. The space is not very large, but its wide table spacing and low lighting made it good for a calm conversation.
Dari Yeodeolgae is an octopus-focused bar near Suyeong Station in Busan. I stopped by alone during a business trip and ordered octopus gambas and octopus fried rice; the tender, chewy octopus and the garlic oil paired well with the spicy rice. The varied complimentary drinking snacks, including clam soup, were also a welcome part of the meal.
Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa is a Japanese-style pub near Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul. After a play, I had draft beer, yakisoba, spicy seafood nabe, and fried chicken thigh; the food made for a filling meal, though the outdoor tables and second-floor window seats were full.
People & Peoples is a pub near Sangdong Station in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, where I ordered bulgogi tacos with fruit salad, cream roll lasagna, and a Midori Sour. Both dishes were generously portioned; the fruit salad worked especially well with the tacos, though the tacos were already spicy before adding salsa.
Kaken is a small izakaya near Dangsan Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, with bar seating facing the charcoal grill. My friend and I had grilled mero and uni cream pasta; the two dishes were filling for us, and the quiet setting made conversation easy.
Motsumo Sejong Dodam Branch is an izakaya in Sejong’s Dodam-dong dining alley specializing in motsunabe. I had the soy sauce motsunabe special with Kirin draft beer and finished with egg rice porridge; the varied meats and richly fragrant broth stood out.
Nani Yeouido Branch is an izakaya on the third floor of the S-TRENUE Building, about a five-minute walk from IFC Mall in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. I came with friends for a second stop and enjoyed lamb shoulder rack and highballs. It was completely full, but the rattan partitions between tables made it feel comfortable.
