Suwon bar for mala cream shrimp: Hwial Ajou University

I visited a bar near the Ajou University intersection that is known for being private and atmospheric, with multinational dishes interpreted beautifully in a Korean style! It was Hwial Ajou University Branch (휘얼 아주대점), which serves handmade dishes made with care—from prepping fresh ingredients to aging and cooking—and stays true to the basics~! As befits a popular Ajou University date spot, I was totally satisfied with the cozy lighting and music, the snack lineup, and even the lovely draft beer promotion, so let me share my visit~

Hwial Ajou University Branch hours and parking

Hwial Ajou University Branch

The regular closing day is every Monday. Tuesday through Thursday, it is open from 16:00 until 00:50 the following day, with last orders at 23:50. Friday through Saturday, it is open from 16:00 until 01:50 the following day, with last orders at 00:50.

Parking directly in front of the store is not available, and I recommend the nearby Wooman 2-dong Public Parking Lot. The first hour is free, then it is ₩300 per 10 minutes after that.

A private date spot near Ajou University

✔️Multinational Korean-style dishes reinterpreting Korean, Western, Chinese, and Japanese food, plus an atmosphere that works for first, second, and third rounds✔️ Hwial Ajou University Branch was so clean and well maintained, from the outside all the way through the interior~!

Hwial's interior felt private, and I loved that even the restroom was inside! (A bar restroom is important, you know...!!!!!) It seems like a space where all ages can relax, so it would be great for dates, small get-togethers, or company dinners too haha. Even the water was barley tea, which I liked even more👍🏻

Apparently, they recently started delivery through Coupang Eats and Baedal Minjok at customers' requests too!? I can't even imagine how loved this bar must be 😮 Since you can comfortably have bar snacks at home too, if you're craving a drink at home, open a delivery app right now and search Hwial 😉 (Naver reservations, Naver TalkTalk, and phone inquiries are all easy too!)

Ordering mala cream shrimp and pollock roe cream jjamppong

Mala cream shrimp ₩20,000

Since it was my first visit to Hwial, I ordered a popular menu item. Honestly, I wanted gimpi-tang (fried pork with kimchi, pizza cheese, and sweet-and-sour sauce), but it was sold out that day, so through my tears, mala cream shrimp it was...!!!!!! I'd just gotten off work and wanted fried food with beer, you know.

The mala cream shrimp came as a set with plump fried shrimp that were crisp outside and bouncy within, savory fried onions, and a fresh lettuce salad! Personally, I loooove fried onions, so I was so happy they came with it haha.

And the mala cream sauce went so smoothly with the fried shrimp—it was beer food itself!!!! How could I possibly resist beer with this~~~~🥹 The signature tongue-tingling mala flavor was subtle rather than overpowering, so even people who don't normally do well with mala can enjoy it very comfortably and deliciously!

Pollock roe cream jjamppong ₩23,000

I'm someone who takes quite a bit of pride in handling spice, you know ^^? haha. I was really craving something rich and spicy, so I asked for the pollock roe cream jjamppong to be crazy spicy!!!!!! Because it is pollock roe cream jjamppong, the owner said going all the way to crazy spicy!!!!! would be difficult, but they would make it as spicy as possible... thank you....😀

And out came the spicy pollock roe cream jjamppong!!!!! Keep in mind that it probably won't be this color when you order it ✔️✔️✔️ The rich, smooth cream base was joined by jjamppong's signature spicy kick and plenty of vegetables, and the moment I tasted the broth, I thought, this is exactly the flavor I wanted! The savory-salty pollock roe popped in my mouth, adding a nutty depth that completely cut through the richness and made this the ultimate drinking snack that warmed me right up haha.

The draft beer 3+1 deal and somaek pairing

Kloud draft beer ₩4,500

(The 3+1 promotion is on, so promise me you'll have at least four glasses..) The draft beer with the food was absolutely the best too. They happened to be running a 3+1 draft beer promotion, so I thought, I definitely have to get this!!! *^^* Somaek—a mix of draft beer with a little soju—went sooo well with the nutty, smooth mala cream shrimp👍🏻 With the crunch of the fried food and the smooth mala cream sauce, plus an icy somaek, the drinks went down so easily.

Every staff member was so kind, and I could feel the care in every dish—Hwial Ajou University Branch was such a satisfying Ajou University date spot! With a variety of drinks including highballs, makgeolli (Korean rice wine), and distilled spirits, along with thoughtfully made handmade food, be sure to visit if you're looking for a great atmospheric restaurant near Ajou University!~