Izakaya in Jongno, Seoul for charcoal skewers and oden: Hanamato

After work, I went to Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa (하나마토 대학로혜화) for bar snacks and draft beer. With Japanese tavern-style decor and background music, it was a place where I could choose skewers and oden to suit my taste.

How close is it to Hyehwa Station?

It took about 1–2 minutes to walk from Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station. It is in a busy entertainment area, and the lively atmosphere was noticeable from outside.

Which seats were good for conversation?

There were counter seats and generously sized table seats. In the Japanese tavern-style space, it was nice to have a relaxed chat with my companions.

On the first floor, Japanese food and drinks as well as dolls were available to buy.

The ceiling was high, so the staircase to the second floor was long. It is best to watch your step on the way up. The second floor felt a little brighter and livelier, with many tables. Its large windows also made it feel a little like sitting at an outdoor table.

I sat at the very end, where it was not noisy and we could talk comfortably. The decor and background music came together to create an atmosphere that felt suited to a date or a drink after work with friends or colleagues.

How did I order the skewers and oden?

I liked that there were many kinds of skewers and oden, and that I could choose them individually. We ordered two mentaiko mayo chicken-thigh skewers, two chicken-thigh skewers, karaage-style fried octopus, five kinds of oden, and Sapporo draft beer.

All the tableware we used was clean.

What did the broth of the five kinds of oden taste like?

The five kinds of oden (Japanese fish cake stew) arrived first. It contained several varieties of Japanese fish cake, giving it varied textures, while the broth tasted pleasantly spicy and refreshing.

It was nice to have the warm broth alongside the fried food and skewers. The broth was memorable enough that I wanted to keep spooning it up until the end of the meal.

What flavors stood out in the charcoal-grilled skewers?

The skewers were grilled over charcoal after ordering. With the first bite, I could taste the charcoal aroma, while the inside stayed moist. The sweet and savory tare sauce added umami, and the mentaiko mayo chicken thigh had a generous topping of mentaiko mayonnaise for a nutty richness.

Was the karaage-style fried octopus tough?

The karaage-style fried octopus had a crisp coating and chewy octopus inside. I dipped it in the sauce served alongside it.

When I had it, it was not tough and had a springy texture. The more I chewed, the more I could taste the octopus's savory flavor, which went well with the mayonnaise sauce on the side.

The Sapporo draft beer tasted clean, without off-flavors. I liked the combination of a bite of crisp fried octopus followed by a cool sip of draft beer.

What occasions suit a visit, and what should I note?

It suited a day when I wanted a drink after work with charcoal skewers and warm broth-based snacks. The Japanese tavern atmosphere and friendly service also stayed with me. In particular, the end seat where I sat was comfortable for conversation.

It may be full during the evening peak, so I recommend allowing extra time or contacting the restaurant in advance.