Busanjin Japanese bar for solo sashimi and shiitake beef tartare

A warm Japanese-style bar near Jeonpo Station: 12.24

12.24 Seomyeon Branch

12.24 is an izakaya-style Japanese bar with a wide variety of food. They say the name is meant to make every day feel like a special moment, just like Christmas Eve. How romantic is that name alone ♥

You can spot 12.24 after passing the old NC and walking a little farther uphill from Nolimaroo. Jeonpo Station is the closer station.

The interior is full of warm, cozy vibes. True to the 12/24 name, it feels like a Christmas-themed bar. There are tables and counter seats.

It was roomier than I expected, so even a group of six can enjoy it comfortably. It also has an open kitchen. I really do not think you need to worry at all about cleanliness!

They serve a whopping three kinds of complimentary snacks! Cabbage, corn salad, and sweet potato fritters let you sample totally different flavors. Three bar snacks—what a rare treat.

A varied menu, from sashimi to fritters

Here is the 12.24 menu. As you would expect from a great izakaya, it sells a wide range of dishes, from many kinds of sashimi to motsunabe (offal hot pot), fried dishes, and futomaki (thick sushi rolls).

Every table has a T-order tablet, so you can order right away.

Join the Naver review event and you get chicken karaage. Do not forget—definitely take part.

Solo sashimi mori (assorted platter) and Korean beef tartare shiitake fritters. We ordered sashimi and fritters. There are platters for two and solo sashimi mori, but the solo sashimi is not on the T-order tablet, so just order it directly from the owner.

We ordered snacks and Asahi draft beer. You simply cannot resist Asahi draft beer! The complimentary snacks were so good that they were enough to go with drinks on their own, haha.

We sat at the counter, where you can watch the entire cooking process through the open kitchen! I was looking forward to the fresh food coming out of that clean, neatly organized kitchen ♥

What comes with the ₩19,000 solo sashimi mori

The solo sashimi arrived first. As the name says, it is sashimi for one person, and at ₩19,000 it is very affordable! I could not believe I could get sashimi of this quality at this price.

The fish is served aged, with quite a range including salmon, flounder, abalone, and tako wasabi (octopus with wasabi).

What do the shiitake beef tartare fritters taste like?

Then came my pick—the Korean beef tartare shiitake fritters I had been so curious about. Does the name not sound delicious already? Shiitake mushrooms and beef tartare are tasty enough separately, but fried together?! Such an exciting dish.

Just look at those gorgeous snacks. The prices are on the affordable side, but the food felt very upscale.

The snacks pass with flying colors! There was a generous amount and lots of variety, so I think it would be great as a first stop, too.

Under the thick shiitake mushroom were beef tartare and danmuji (pickled yellow radish). The outside was generously breaded and fried, and it was honestly so delicious. I already love fried food, but this was even better. First of all, it was huge. The mushroom fragrance and juices came through beautifully, and the bite of danmuji was the key. It was my first time trying fried beef tartare, and the combination worked surprisingly well.

The fritters were big and there were plenty of them, so even one was satisfyingly filling. And with draft beer? Irresistible. Such an excellent menu choice.

Aged sashimi with abalone and engawa, too

Next, let us try a piece of the high-quality sashimi mori. It has premium fish such as sea bream and flounder! I was happy with the many varieties for the price.

It even had my favorite, tako wasabi. There were also vegetables to enjoy alongside it, including cucumber and rakkyō (pickled scallions).

The salmon and tuna were aged as well, so they were delicious without being rich. Chojang (sweet chili-vinegar sauce), soy sauce, and wasabi are all provided, so dip them however you like.

They even included abalone. I absolutely recommend the solo sashimi mori. It would also be nice for having a drink alone at the counter.

Even the prized fin meat, engawa! I think the major appeal of 12.24's sashimi mori is its just-right portion and the chance to try many kinds of fish. And of course, the taste was top-notch too! It was fresh and delicious, with no fishiness.

Crisp outside, soft inside: agedashi tofu

Another snack we ordered was agedashi tofu—fried tofu, of course! Tofu may seem simple, but you know how good it is when fried, right? Fried tofu soaked in tsuyu sauce and topped with katsuobushi (bonito flakes): absolutely perfect, that is exactly it.

This was the moment I truly discovered fried tofu. The ultimate crisp-outside, soft-inside dish! The exterior was seriously crunchy, while the inside was full of fluffy tofu goodness. So delicious... This place really is a fried-food gem.

Why I recommend it for dates and gatherings with friends

The restrooms are inside the venue and separated for men and women, so they are easy to use.

• A bar with a warm, atmospheric feel
• A wide selection of snacks gives you plenty to choose from
• The sashimi sets are especially good value
• The other snacks are reasonably priced too
• A kind owner

They told me the name 12.24 reflects their hope that it will be remembered as a special moment, like Christmas Eve. With special food, a special space, and such warmth, I ate wonderfully and had a happy time. The fried dishes in particular were truly delicious, so please make sure to try them. I recommend this izakaya-style Japanese bar for a date or for chatting cozily with friends.