Jongak bar with corkage and review roulette: Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo

A hidden bar under Jongak: what is Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo?

A place like this was hiding underground near Jongak? I went to check out Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo.

Finding the entrance: 189 m from Jongak Station exit 4

I went not long ago for a meetup with friends near Jongak. The place we'd originally planned to go was closed, so we scrambled to find somewhere else — and it turned out to be way cooler than expected.

From the moment you start down the stairs, it really feels like you're entering a secret medieval passage. Arched brick steps, flags hanging here and there, and candle-style lighting all bring the mood to life. Stepping in, I immediately thought this had to be one of the most atmospheric bars in the whole Jongak area.

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo location, hours and corkage prices

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo is at 47-1 Samil-daero 17-gil, basement level 1, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 189 meters from Jongak Station exit 4. It opens at 5:00 PM, and you'll need to ask the store for the exact closing time.

• Location: 47-1 Samil-daero 17-gil, basement level 1, Jongno-gu, Seoul (189m from Jongak Station exit 4)
• Hours: 5:00 PM onward (ask the store for exact closing time)
• Parking: No parking at the venue (use nearby alternative parking lots)
• Corkage, 750ml basis: Wine ₩20,000 / Whiskey ₩30,000 / Other liquor ₩10,000
• Corkage, 1 liter basis: Wine ₩30,000 / Whiskey ₩40,000 / Other liquor ₩20,000
• Other info: Solo reservations possible, clean separate men's/women's restrooms, waiting area and Wi-Fi provided

Inside: a medieval European monastery recreated in a Seoul basement

Inside, a wide, old-fashioned hall opens up. Soft vintage lighting combined with the arched brick interior really made it feel like an actual underground monastery cellar in Europe.

The soft candles on each table and the clean basic table setting stood out. I thought it would be a perfect spot for a Jongak date or a get-together with some atmosphere. Knowing the menu was developed by a chef who trained at a Hilton hotel in New Zealand made me even more excited.

Tablet ordering and the menu items that stood out

Ordering was easy — a tablet is set up at every table. Browsing the menu, there was a wide range of options, from the signature barbecue platters to wood-fired pizzas.

From the barbecue menu, we ordered the confession-approved pork ribs. And from the pizza menu, we chose the Monastery Garden arugula jambon pizza. Being able to check menu photos and prices on the tablet beforehand made ordering really convenient.

Pork ribs and arugula jambon pizza: portion size and flavor

As soon as the food arrived, everyone was blown away by how it looked. The Monastery Garden arugula jambon pizza that came out first had a truly massive amount of arugula on it.

The fresh arugula was piled on generously, bright and fresh, and it paired really well with the saltiness of the jambon. Fresh out of the wood-fired oven, the crust was crisp and nutty all the way to the edge.

Next came the confession-approved pork ribs, and it was the kind of dish that makes you blurt out 'this is seriously good.' Slow-aged for 24 hours, the meat was so tender it fell right off the bone. The sweet, salty barbecue sauce soaked all the way through, and pairing it with the fries made for the best combination.

Receipt review roulette event and the drinks lineup

The table signage mentioned a Naver receipt review event was running too. Writing a receipt review lets you spin a roulette wheel for a prize.

Prizes ranged from craft beer to a slice of tiramisu, and even wine or premium galbi (short ribs) were up for grabs. If you visit, definitely take part and see if you can grab a little bit of luck.

The drinks lineup was varied too — beer, wine, highballs, ades — so there was something for every taste. A successful Jongak bar outing, wrapped up on a happy note.