Yeongdeungpo izakaya for skewers and draft beer: Kaken

After finishing our first round on Sunday evening, my friend and I were looking for somewhere to have one more casual drink and went into Kaken (카켄) near Dangsan Station. We sat at the bar facing the kitchen and ordered the 10-skewer assortment and draft beer.

Where is Kaken near Dangsan Station, and how late is it open?

Kaken was right outside Exit 2 of Dangsan Station. Its address is 237 Dangsan-ro, 1F Unit 101, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The hours listed in the original post are 5 PM to 2 AM daily, with last orders at 1 AM.

What were the Sunday evening atmosphere and bar seats like?

It was around 6:30 PM on Sunday, and the restaurant was already bustling. We were lucky to get bar seats facing the kitchen.

The dark green tiles around the open kitchen and the sand hearth for iroriyaki caught my eye. Skewers were planted in the sand as reddish fish was grilled over charcoal. Being able to watch the cooking from our seats was memorable.

What snacks and beer did we order for a second round?

The menu had a range of skewers, grilled seafood, and sake. Since we were there for a second round, we chose the 10-skewer assortment and Suntory draft beer.

First, braised quail eggs and konjac arrived as a complimentary side. It was pleasantly savory and springy, so I picked at it while waiting for the skewers.

The Suntory Premium Malt's draft beer had soft, fine foam. It was cold and smooth going down, so I started drinking it before the skewers arrived.

What was in the 10-skewer assortment, and how did it taste?

From the bar, we could watch the skewers turn golden over the charcoal right in front of us. Chatting with my friend and watching them cook made the wait enjoyable.

The finished 10-skewer assortment came on a plate with a charcoal aroma. The bacon tomato skewer had both meat juices and tomato juices, while the chicken was crisp outside and moist and chewy inside. The ginkgo nuts and garlic were sweet and nutty, and the king oyster mushroom had a pleasant subtle aroma.

The shrimp skewer stood out in particular. The flesh was plump, and its sweet sauce worked well with the smoky char-grilled flavor, making me want to order another.

What happened when I asked to charge my phone?

My phone battery was running low, so I asked a staff member whether charging was possible. They brought a mint-colored power bank to our table, so I could charge my phone without handing it over. It was convenient because I could keep talking with my friend and taking photos.

That evening, I enjoyed talking with my friend while watching the hearth and the skewers being grilled from the bar. The charcoal-scented skewers with cold draft beer made this second-round stop satisfying.