Mapo izakaya for late-night barbecue: Titan Hapjeong

I visited Titan Hapjeong (티탄 합정), between Hapjeong and Sangsu, at around 1 a.m. It is an izakaya specializing in aged sashimi and charcoal barbecue, and I ordered Yeon Cham Gimbap and the late-night Titan Barbecue.

Where is it, and how late can you stay?

The address is 18 Dongmak-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The original post says it is a seven-minute walk from Exit 1 of Sangsu Station and a 15-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station. I felt it was well placed between Hapjeong and Sangsu for an evening plan or a late drink.

The original post lists hours as daily from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m., with last orders at 3 a.m. It also lists Seogyo-dong No. 4 Private Parking, a one-minute walk away, and Hapjeong 1 Public Parking, a two-minute walk away. Their listed rates were ₩3,600 per 30 minutes and ₩500 per five minutes, respectively.

How do the outdoor terrace and indoor atmosphere differ?

There was an open outdoor terrace tucked into the alley. It felt spacious, with tables and a screen for watching sports. The lighting was not too bright, so it looked like a pleasant place to drink and talk with friends.

Inside, the soft purple lighting created a calm atmosphere that reminded me of a wine bar. I could see the sashimi aging cabinet, along with wine and various other drinks. There was room between tables and throughout the space, so I thought it would work for two people or a larger group.

What did I eat late at night, and how much was it?

Even around 1 a.m., I could eat comfortably in the calm setting. Tuna crackers came as part of the basic setting, and the small light on each table added to the mood. The crackers were a nice way to whet my appetite before the meal.

On the original menu, Yeon Cham Gimbap was ₩19,000 and late-night Titan Barbecue was ₩16,000. The menu also included seasonal aged sashimi, grilled dishes, nabe (Japanese hot pot), and pasta. Seasonal aged sashimi was listed at ₩30,000 for one person and ₩55,000 for two, but I ordered the gimbap and barbecue that day.

How was the texture and portion of Yeon Cham Gimbap?

The first dish I ordered, Yeon Cham Gimbap, is gimbap (seaweed rice roll) with salmon and tuna. The tender texture of the fish stood out.

When it first arrived, I wondered if it had been difficult to hold its shape, but it was generously filled. Rather than having the chew of firmer gimbap fillings, the salmon and tuna went down softly. The pieces were also large, so each bite had a clear presence of both rice and fish.

The salmon's tenderness and the tuna's clean flavor went well with the rice. A full bite was more filling than I expected.

It was a gimbap that let the fish itself come through clearly. I thought it would be a good choice when I wanted a fish dish while still having a proper meal.

Is the late-night charcoal barbecue spicy and intense?

Next, I had the late-night menu item, Titan Charcoal Barbecue. The grilled chicken was tender.

I was told that they use Korean chicken butchered that day. When I ate it, I also liked the tender texture of the meat.

The barbecue sat on a bed of cabbage, with a few hot peppers on top. Thinly sliced cabbage salad came alongside it. The sauce itself was not especially spicy, so I thought anyone wary of heat could remove some of the peppers before eating.

The sauce was sweet and savory, reminding me of yangnyeom chicken (sweet-spicy Korean fried chicken). It had a subtle charcoal aroma, and the seasoning had soaked well into the chicken's surface.

To my taste, the sweet-savory seasoning and savory charcoal aroma came through before any sharp heat. Still, the seasoned barbecue could feel a little heavy after eating it continuously. The crisp cabbage salad helped refresh my palate in between.

Would I return for a date or a gathering with friends?

I did not find the late-night menu prices burdensome, and I liked being able to have a meal late at night. I thought the calm interior would suit a date, while the spacious setting would work for a gathering with friends.

This time, the filling Yeon Cham Gimbap and the barbecue's tender chicken stayed with me. Next time, I would like to sit on the outdoor terrace on a nice day and spend some time watching sports on the screen.