Yeongdeungpo izakaya bar for solo drinks and skewers: Nani Byeolgwan

After getting a haircut at Times Square for the first time in a while, I stepped outside to the prettiest sunset. It felt like such a shame to go straight home with a lovely professional blowout, so I looked for somewhere comfortable to go alone and found Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch (나니별관 영등포점). I dropped in for a casual solo drink because it looked like a good option, and it turned out to be a very satisfying Yeongdeungpo izakaya bar, with an even better atmosphere and food than I expected.

Where is Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch, and what are its hours?

It is at 183 Munrae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, a 11-minute walk from Exit 3 of Yeongdeungpo Station. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 18:00–02:00, and it is regularly closed on Sundays. Parking is not available.

What was the bar-table atmosphere like for a solo drink?

When I walked in, it had a cozy, wood-toned atmosphere that looked as though it could appear in a Japanese anime. Rather than a loud, packed bar, it felt like a nice place to have a relaxed drink. The bar tables in particular made it less daunting to visit alone. Sitting there, slowly drinking while watching the skewers grill right in front of me, was actually part of the fun of drinking solo.

Inside the cozy Nani Byeolgwan

The soft lighting and compact layout made it feel better suited to a quiet drink than a big, boisterous bar. It also gave me the feeling of walking into one of those little alleyway izakayas while traveling in Japan, which I really liked. The space was full of guests on dates or out with friends.

There is also a group-seating area upstairs, so it looked good not just for drinking alone but for group get-togethers too.

Skewer and highball menu

Nani Byeolgwan has a range of snacks that suit an izakaya, including skewers. Along with highballs and beer, it also serves sake and soju.

Sparkling-water highball

I started lightly with a sparkling-water highball. It was fizzy and refreshing from the first sip, perfect for easing into a drink. Sitting quietly by myself with a highball, I realized this kind of time was nicer than I had expected.

While waiting for my order, I ate the complimentary cabbage snack dressed with olive oil and pepper, and it was quite good. The guest next to me got a refill, so I copied them and got one too. Watching the skewers grill in front of me made my mouth water.

Pork belly and scallion skewers

As they grilled over the fire, the savory aroma of pork belly and the fragrance of scallions rose up and whetted my appetite even while I waited. The well-grilled pork belly and scallions were a great combination: rich, with the distinctive fragrance of scallions added in. They also went well with the highball, making them a good choice for a solo-drinking snack. The portion was just right for a casual drink, but they were so delicious that after picking at them one by one, I suddenly realized I had finished them all.

Scallion cream cheese and crackers

I was so full that I chose scallion cream cheese and crackers as a light second snack. But it was much more delicious than I expected from the first bite, so I kept reaching for it. The soft cream cheese with the fragrance of scallions was clean-tasting rather than heavy, and spread over a cracker, the crisp texture and soft cream cheese worked beautifully together as a highball snack. In the end, even though I said I was full, I finished this too. I wanted to make it at home, so I even asked for the recipe—but it was a trade secret.

Final thoughts on this solo-drinking izakaya near Times Square

• An izakaya that is easy to visit near Times Square
• A cozy izakaya atmosphere
• An atmosphere that does not feel intimidating for drinking alone
• Skewers grilled right in front of you

My spontaneous visit to Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch was so satisfying that I wondered why I had only just found out about it. The next time I visit Times Square, I think I will come back alone or with friends. In particular, the smell of garlic shrimp being stir-fried at another table was exactly my kind of thing, so next time I will definitely arrive with an empty stomach and try more dishes.