Jongno bar with a duck pancake set: Ari Gyegok Jonggak

After work, I went to Ari Gyegok Jonggak (아리계곡 종각점) with my partner. People just kept coming in, so I guess Ari Gyegok really is famous around Jonggak Station! But the second we walked in, I immediately got why it’s so popular haha.

How to get to Ari Gyegok Jonggak in the Jonggak food alley

Ari Gyegok Jonggak is in the Jonggak food alley. Come straight out of the station and head into the alley; it’s on the right in the first alley you see.

Even the exterior was flashy. I only discovered Ari Gyegok while looking for a place this time, and it turns out it’s a chain! It seems to be getting more popular lately, with locations popping up one by one.

A clean, inviting interior for gatherings and dates

The first thing I noticed upon entering was how nice and clean the atmosphere was. I could see why so many people hold pre-wedding gatherings here and why it’s popular. The food is high-quality and delicious, and the interior is lovely too—perfect for a group get-together.

There seemed to be quite a few people there for group gatherings. There are lots of offices nearby, so I’m sure it’s also a popular spot for company dinners.

I came on a date, and I think it has more than enough atmosphere for that too. It’s the kind of place where you can have a drink and talk comfortably.

I think these detailed interior touches are one reason Ari Gyegok is so popular.

There are two floors: the men’s restroom is on the second floor and the women’s is on the first. I also liked that the restrooms are inside. And all the staff were kind.

What we ordered: Ari Gyegok’s duck set for two

Did you know duck dishes are Ari Gyegok’s best sellers? They have a mud-baked duck pancake, and it’s seriously delicious—a dish you don’t often find at a regular bar, so I recommend trying it. We ordered the set for two.

• Duck set for two ₩42,800: traditional duck pancake + spicy original chicken hot pot
• Seoul Night ₩15,000

Spicy original chicken hot pot and Seoul Night

Seoul Night, which always appears on my blog, was here too, and I was so happy. The price for it here is really reasonable, so I definitely recommend trying it. So good..

You can’t leave lemon and tonic out of Seoul Night. Ari Gyegok had such a varied menu, with so many tasty-looking dishes.. The kind of place where the food makes you drink more.

You absolutely have to get the spicy original chicken hot pot. The broth was honestly unreal.. It’s pleasantly spicy and has quite a pronounced mala-like aroma? I love mala, so I thought it was amazing. And maybe because there was so much chicken in it, the broth was incredibly deep..

One bite and your eyes go wide because it’s so good. If great food with your drinks matters to you, I think you’ll definitely be satisfied with Ari Gyegok.

Traditional duck pancake with generous pieces of whole duck

The traditional duck pancake surprised me all over again haha. It was seriously big and substantial. This was my first time seeing a bar serve duck in such large whole pieces.

I worried it might be tough because it was thick, but it was really chewy and tender.. There wasn’t even a hint of gamey smell. So delicious.

It was even better with the cracker-like chips and cabbage served alongside it, and I loved getting all those different textures. Looking at the photos makes me want it again..

The sauce over the duck was seriously delicious too. It had its own savory, umami flavor.

The meat just kept coming in this set for two—I highly recommend this combination. It’s labeled for two, but the portion is quite generous, and the food quality is great, so I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a Jonggak gathering spot or a good restaurant near Jonggak Station.

It was so nice to find a bar with truly delicious food for the first time in a while. When I want to go for drinks near Jonggak Station, this is a place I’m 100% willing to revisit!