Located near Gwanghwamun, this casual Japanese bar is a nice option for a third round after dinner. The cozy atmosphere and affordable menu make it a comfortable place to enjoy drinks with friends.

Soft and Sweet Mochiri Tofu

The mochi tofu was a unique Japanese-style appetizer with a soft pudding-like texture and a sweet sauce underneath. It was creamy, delicate, and a great dish to enjoy with drinks.

Gwanghwamun Izakaya with Crispy Tebasaki

Gwanghwamun Izakaya is a great place for a casual night out in Seoul, serving Japanese-style dishes and drinks. The pepper-flavored tebasaki (chicken wings) was crispy, savory, and paired perfectly with a refreshing highball.

Sweet Highballs and Japanese Bar Snacks

The Earl Grey highball and honey grapefruit black tea highball were both sweet and refreshing. These drinks paired well with the snacks, creating a relaxed atmosphere for an evening visit.

Cheonho Station izakaya Hootari Rion is located in a quiet alley near the station and stands out with its bright red sign.
The restaurant has two floors, offering more seating space and a comfortable dining experience.

With its clean exterior and cozy atmosphere, it’s a great place for both casual drinks and dates.

Earl Grey Highball & Yebisu Draft Beer

Cheonho Station izakaya Hootari Rion offers a great selection of drinks, including Earl Grey highball and Yebisu draft beer.
The highball is smooth with a light tea aroma and not overly sweet, making it easy to drink.

The Yebisu beer is crisp, slightly nutty, and very refreshing. A perfect combination to enjoy with izakaya dishes.

Beef Tantan Nabe (Rich and Flavorful)

Cheonho Station izakaya Hootari Rion is known for its beef tantan nabe. The broth is rich, slightly spicy, and has a nutty flavor similar to a peanut-based soup.

As it continues to boil, the flavor becomes deeper and more intense, making it even more satisfying. A must-try dish for late-night dining.

Fresh Assorted Sashimi

Cheonho Station izakaya Hootari Rion serves a fresh assortment of sashimi with a variety of fish.
The texture is chewy and clean, and each piece tastes fresh and well-prepared. A great choice if you want to enjoy different types of sashimi in one plate.

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries with Honey Butter

Cheonho Station izakaya Hootari Rion offers crispy sweet potato fries served with a rich honey butter sauce.
The fries are lightly crunchy on the outside and soft inside, pairing perfectly with the sweet and creamy dip. A simple side dish but highly addictive.

🧾 Final thoughts

📍 Address : 53, Cheonhodae-ro 159-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1F, 2F)
🗺 Google Maps
🍽 Menu : Beef tantan nabe (26,000 KRW / ~$19), Assorted sashimi (35,000 KRW / ~$26),
Sweet potato fries (11,000 KRW / ~$8), Earl Grey highball (8,000 KRW / ~$6)
💵 Price : Around 20–30 USD per person
🕒 Hours : 17:00–02:00 / Fri–Sat 17:00–03:00
📸 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hootari_rion/

Cheonho Station izakaya Purple serves refreshing pickled tomatoes that are lightly sweet and citrusy.
If you enjoy tomatoes, this simple dish becomes surprisingly addictive. It’s a perfect starter to open your appetite.

Motsunabe with Rich Broth (Highly Recommended)

Cheonho Station izakaya Purple offers a rich and flavorful motsunabe made with beef intestines.
The broth tastes similar to beef bone soup but has a slightly spicy kick. With plenty of vegetables like chives and onions, it feels both hearty and balanced.

Premium Beef Tartare & Sashimi Platter

Cheonho Station izakaya Purple serves high-quality beef tartare and sashimi made from premium Korean beef.
The texture is soft and fresh, and the combination offers different flavors in one plate. A great choice if you want something special with drinks.

Earl Grey Highball (Easy to Drink)

Cheonho Station izakaya Purple’s Earl Grey highball is smooth and not overly sweet.
You can still taste the alcohol slightly, but it’s easy to drink even if you’re not used to strong drinks. A perfect pairing with savory dishes.

Birthday Cake Allowed (Great for Celebrations)

Cheonho Station izakaya Purple allows outside cakes, making it a great place for small celebrations.
You can enjoy your meal and finish with your own dessert, which adds a personal touch to the experience. Perfect for birthdays or special occasions.

🧾 Final thoughts

📍 Address : 47, Cheonhodae-ro 159-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🗺 Google Maps
🍽 Menu : Beef tartare & sashimi set (33,000 KRW / ~$25), Motsunabe (32,000 KRW / ~$24)
💵 Price : Around 20–30 USD per person
🕒 Hours : Closed Sundays / 17:00–01:00 / Fri–Sat 17:00–02:00
📸 Instagram : N/A

Anime Izakaya Mekkiya is a newly opened Japanese-style izakaya in the Bangi-dong food alley near Seokchon Lake in Seoul.
I visited this place as a second stop after dinner, and it was already quite popular on Instagram.
The moment you enter, the space feels like a small anime-themed bar in Japan. The walls are filled with famous anime posters, figures, and nostalgic decorations, while cherry blossom lights and lanterns create a cozy izakaya atmosphere.
This place is especially fun for people who love anime culture, since many of the dishes are inspired by famous animation characters.

Doraemon Okonomiyaki at Anime Izakaya Mekkiya

One of the most unique menu items here is the Doraemon Okonomiyaki.
It’s an Osaka-style handmade okonomiyaki topped with cheese and sauce, with a Doraemon face drawn on top.
The outside is slightly crispy while the inside stays soft and fluffy.
With the melted cheese and rich sauce, it’s definitely a satisfying dish to share with friends while drinking.

Ponyo Highball and Midori Highball

The drinks here are also themed after famous animations, which makes the experience a bit more playful and memorable.

The Midori Highball comes with a scoop of ice cream on top, giving it a taste similar to a refreshing melon soda float.
The sweet melon flavor combined with the fizzy highball creates a light and fun drink that feels almost like a dessert cocktail.
The Ponyo Highball is the signature drink of Mekkiya, inspired by Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea.
The drink has a bright blue color with strawberries and lemon on top, which makes it visually eye-catching and cute.
The fruity flavor and light carbonation make it easy to drink, especially if you prefer something refreshing rather than strong alcohol.

Although the prices are slightly higher than typical izakaya drinks, the colorful presentation and anime-inspired concept make the drinks feel unique and worth trying. It’s the kind of place where the drinks are just as fun to photograph as they are to drink.

Anime-themed Izakaya Atmosphere

The interior of Anime Izakaya Mekkiya is full of small details that anime fans will love.
From Totoro posters to Japanese highball ads and anime photos covering the walls, the whole place feels playful and nostalgic.
It’s a cozy place to relax, have drinks, and enjoy late-night food with friends.
Another interesting point is that outside cakes are allowed as long as you don’t use fireworks candles, which makes it possible to celebrate birthdays here.

You can also explore other late-night food spots around the area. Just a 2-minute walk from Anime Izakaya Mekkiya, there is another popular local pocha serving spicy braised chicken. 👉 Seokchon Lake Pocha Spicy Braised Chicken – Dongne Hyeonga
It’s a great place to continue your night if you want something warm and spicy after drinks near Seokchon Lake.

🧾 Final thoughts

📍 Address : 201, 29 Olympic-ro 32-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Mekkiya)
🗺 Google Maps
🍽 Menu : Doraemon Okonomiyaki, Wagyu Tataki, Salmon Sashimi, Midori Highball, Ponyo Highball
💵 Price : approx. ₩15,000–₩30,000 ($11–$22)
🕒 Hours : 17:00 – 02:00 (Closed on Sundays)
📸 Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/mekkiya_/