Local places · 95 stories
Bars in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Hey Jinny is a cooking bar in Jung-gu, Seoul, near Euljiro 3-ga Station. We shared watermelon and peach highballs, Osaka Niboevi Oil Pasta, crispy eoyang eggplant, and homemade fondue gnocchi. Verdict: a calm, food-forward spot for catching up over drinks.
Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa is an izakaya near Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul. I had mentaiko mayo chicken-thigh skewers, chicken-thigh skewers, five kinds of oden, karaage-style fried octopus, and Sapporo draft beer; the smoky, moist skewers and spicy-clear oden broth stood out. My end seat was quiet enough for an easy conversation.
Dari Yeodeolgae is an octopus bar near Suyeong Station in Busan, where I had boiled octopus and rolled omelet in the afternoon. The octopus was pleasantly chewy and springy, and the complimentary clam soup stood out; the quiet setting and kind service made for a relaxed drink.
Motsumo Sejong Dodam Branch is an izakaya in Dodam-dong, Sejong specializing in motsunabe. My boyfriend and I had the special soy sauce motsunabe with rice bowls and ramen noodles; the plump daechang and broth-soaked napa cabbage stood out, though the broth was rich and salty.
People & Peoples is a gastropub in Sang-dong, Bucheon, where I had beef roll lasagna, ham cream cheese pastry pizza, and draft beer with my husband during an early dinner. The crisp pastry crust stood out, and the two dishes were more than enough for two; building parking required a paid ticket.
Nani Yeouido Branch is a Japanese pub on the third floor of S-Trenue near Exit 3 of Yeouido Station in Seoul. I ordered braised beef tendon and lamb shoulder rack; both were filling, and the wood-partitioned seating made it comfortable to talk over drinks, though it was not a fully enclosed room.
Kaken is an izakaya between exits 2 and 3 of Dangsan Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. After a Han River walk, my husband and I had assorted sashimi, motsunabe, draft beer, and a yuzu highball; the sashimi was more generous than expected, and even I enjoyed the tender beef intestine hot pot.
Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa is an izakaya near Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul, with outdoor tables, regular indoor tables, and counter seating. I had skewers, draft beer, and basil pasta with my boyfriend; the pasta was generous but a little salty, and some indoor tables were noisy.
Nani Yeouido Branch is an izakaya on the third floor of S-TRENUE in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, near Yeouido Station. I went on a date with my husband, enjoyed the partitioned window seating, and ordered lamb shoulder rack and cold pasta with salted octopus; the lamb felt a little pricey, but its portion and flavor satisfied me.
Kaken is an izakaya on Dangsan-ro in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, where I had a 10-skewer assortment and seafood ramen with draft beer at a bar seat facing the kitchen. The skewers were generally juicy and the quiet music made it easy to talk, but it was already full when I arrived around 5–6 p.m. on a weekend.
Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa is an izakaya about a three-minute walk from Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul. I visited for a second round on a Friday evening and had oden, a five-skewer yakitori set, ginkgo skewers, and mango sherbet. The warm-at-the-table broth and lightly sweet skewers worked well, though I stayed indoors because it was hot.
Kaken is a small izakaya between Exits 2 and 3 of Dangsan Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. We ordered whole steamed squid and Cass draft beer, and liked dipping the springy squid into its innards. Its cozy tables and counter seating made it comfortable for two people to talk over drinks.
