Yeongdeungpo, Seoul bar for grilled fish: Robadayakki Sodam

After meeting a friend in Gangnam on September 5, I headed to Yeouido for dinner. Since it was the day of the Yeouido World Fireworks Festival, I took my parents to Robadayakki Sodam (로바다야끼 소담), an izakaya known as a great place to eat in Yeouido.

I had made a 6:30 p.m. reservation so we could fill up before the fireworks festival. Because it was festival day, I arrived a little early at around 5:30, and sure enough, Yeouido was absolutely packed.

A Yeouido izakaya with a private atmosphere

As soon as I stepped inside, the wood interior and soft, subdued lighting came together to create the feeling of an authentic Japanese izakaya.

Robadayakki Sodam is at Units 113, 114, and 115, 1F, Seorin Building, 17 Yeouidaebang-ro 65-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울특별시 영등포구 여의대방로65길 17). It is open daily from 17:00 to 01:30 the next day, with last orders at 00:30.

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• One complimentary skewer coupon on Naver Place

Why I switched to grilled fish after seeing the menu

Looking over the menu at our table, I found it packed with options, from a generous assorted fried platter to all kinds of grilled seafood and skewers.

I had originally planned to get the crispy assorted fried platter, but I was drawn to the mild, healthy protein of grilled fish, so I changed my order. The next time I come back, I definitely want to order the assorted fried platter and enjoy it with sake.

Before the sushi and grilled dishes arrived, they served one fried egg per person as the basic setting. It felt like a warm way to settle the stomach before the meal really began, and the owner's thoughtful touch stood out.

Rich, nutty butter-grilled shrimp

Butter-grilled shrimp (8 pieces) costs ₩8,000.

The first dish served was the butter-grilled shrimp. The rich butter aroma had soaked beautifully into the crisp shrimp shells and firm, springy flesh, and I was very happy with it.

How should you eat grilled Atka mackerel?

The star of the day: grilled Atka mackerel! Even its golden-brown appearance made me gasp. Two fresh lemon slices and pungent fresh wasabi were neatly arranged around the edge of the plate. After squeezing over a little lemon juice, I picked out a thick piece of fish and took a bite.

The Atka mackerel itself was not heavily seasoned, with a mild and gentle flavor, so I recommend dipping it into the house soy sauce provided at the table.

Dipped in the sweet-salty soy sauce, it felt wonderfully moist in my mouth and brought out the nutty flavor of the fish even more.

Grilled scallops that paired beautifully with the fish

The moment I put the grilled scallops in my mouth, their distinctive saltiness and savory umami filled my palate.

Their chewy texture and salty seasoning worked in perfect harmony, making them an excellent pairing with the mild grilled Atka mackerel that came later.

Dessert ice cream, the perfect finish

Soft ice cream came topped with nutty sliced almonds and a sprinkling of cheese powder, with a crisp butter waffle cookie tucked into it.

With sweet and nutty flavors together, it was a pleasant dessert that gave the meal a clean finishing touch.

Perhaps because it was such a special day—the Yeouido fireworks festival—the restaurant was filled with so many guests. Even so, the staff never lost their kindness, so I was able to enjoy a precious, filling meal with my parents. Filling up on healthy, non-overpowering fish protein and seafood before heading to the fireworks was so satisfying.

If you are looking for an izakaya in Yeouido with a private, upscale atmosphere, or want to have a drink with mild grilled seafood, I strongly recommend visiting Robadayakki Sodam at least once.