Samseong Station Izakaya near COEX HARE Izakaya is located just a short walk from COEX, making it easy to stop by after shopping or work.
The entrance already sets the mood with a narrow stairway leading down, giving a hidden izakaya vibe.

It feels more like a local spot in Japan than a typical bar in Seoul.

Stairway Entrance with Japanese Vibe

The stairway entrance adds a hidden izakaya feeling from the start. It enhances the overall Japanese-style atmosphere of the place.

Private Seating and Group Table Setup

The seating layout offers both private and group-friendly tables. Spacious arrangements make it suitable for meetings, friends, or family.

Cozy Izakaya Interior Atmosphere

The interior felt cozy with warm lighting that creates a relaxed mood. It’s a great place for dates, small gatherings, or casual drinks.

Yuzu Highball and Signature Drinks

The yuzu highball and signature HARE highball were both refreshing and slightly sweet. Even non-drinkers can enjoy them as they are light and easy to drink.

Fresh Sashimi Platter at HARE Izakaya

The sashimi platter was incredibly fresh with a variety of fish to try. At this Samseong Station Izakaya near COEX, each piece was soft and melted in the mouth.

Chicken Tomato Nabe with Bread at HARE Izakaya

The chicken tomato nabe had a rich and savory broth with a hint of butter. It gets deeper in flavor as it boils, especially when enjoyed with bread.

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🧾 Final thoughts

📍 Address : 38, Yeongdong-daero 85-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🗺 Google Maps
🍽 Menu : Assorted Sashimi (₩49,000 / ~$36), Chicken Tomato Nabe (₩35,000 / ~$26)
💵 Price : Mid-range izakaya pricing with good quality and portion
🕒 Hours : Weekdays 15:30 – 01:50 / Saturday 15:30 – 00:50 / Closed every Sunday
📸 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hareizakaya

The exterior of Ulsan Izakaya Daikama has a strong Japanese street vibe. The bright sign and traditional curtains make it feel authentic and inviting. It stands out at night, making it easy to spot in Samsan.

Basic Side Dishes

The basic side dishes include edamame, pickled vegetables, and marinated seafood. They are simple but flavorful, making a good start before the main dishes.

Sashimi Set & Side Dishes

The sashimi set comes with fresh salmon, onions, pickles, and wasabi. The combination of simple sides enhances the overall flavor and keeps it balanced.

Thick Salmon Sashimi at Ulsan Izakaya Daikama

The salmon sashimi is cut very thick and tastes incredibly fresh. The texture is rich and soft, and it pairs surprisingly well with kimchi on the side.

Assorted Tempura

The assorted tempura includes shrimp, crab meat, and curry croquette. Everything was crispy on the outside and soft inside, making it a great snack with drinks.

Earl Grey Highball

The Earl Grey highball is sweet and lightly fragrant, making it easy to drink even for beginners. It feels more like a refreshing iced tea than strong alcohol, perfect to pair with fried dishes.

🧾 Final thoughts

Thick salmon sashimi, crispy tempura, and a cozy izakaya vibe make this a reliable spot for drinks in Ulsan.

📍 Address : 1F, 198-1 Hwahap-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
🗺 Google Maps
🍽 Menu : Salmon Sashimi / Assorted Tempura
💵 Price : Salmon Sashimi ₩38,000 ($28) / Assorted Tempura ₩23,000 ($17)
🕒 Hours : 17:00 – 01:00 (Closed every Sunday)
📸 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/daicama__ulsan?utm_medium=copy_link

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

I recently visited Sodamhee, a warm and intimate izakaya located near Jamsil Station and close to Seokchon Lake. I came here with friends for a small “Cheongmo” gathering — a Korean pre-wedding meetup where the bride or groom treats close friends to a nice meal while handing out wedding invitations. It’s a sweet tradition, and Sodamhee matched the vibe perfectly.

The lighting was dim and warm, giving the restaurant a calm and slightly romantic atmosphere. There were couples everywhere who looked like they were on early-stage dates, quietly talking and smiling. The whole space felt slow, cozy, and comfortable — perfect for relaxed conversations.

🪑 Warm Interior & Relaxed Vibes at This Jamsil Izakaya

The interior of this Jamsil izakaya is simple but atmospheric. Wooden tables, soft amber lights, candles, and warm-toned decor make the entire space feel peaceful. It’s perfect for dates, friend gatherings, or smaller events like Cheongmo.

The vibe is naturally quiet without feeling awkward — just slow, calm, and comfortable. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow gently.

🍣 The Salmon + Yukhoe Combo

Koreans absolutely love salmon and yukhoe, which is a Korean-style raw beef dish seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. It’s a popular item at Korean barbecue restaurants and is often enjoyed in dishes like yukhoe-mulhoe (cold raw beef soup) or yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef mixed rice). This plate at Sodamhee brings the two together beautifully. The platter came with thick slices of fresh salmon, seasoned yukhoe topped with egg yolk, and sides like pickled radish, onions, and fresh toppings.
The mix of buttery salmon and rich yukhoe was surprisingly perfect. Fresh, generous, and satisfying. Anyone who enjoys raw dishes will love this.

🥢 Jeon Plate — Savory but Balanced

The jeon, which is a Korean-style pan-fried battered dish similar to a savory pancake and often enjoyed during holidays like Chuseok and Lunar New Year, was soft and flavorful, but what really made it stand out was the sweet-and-sour onion topping. The jeon alone could feel a bit heavy, but the onions added balance and freshness, making the whole dish much lighter.

Simple, comforting, and delicious.

🍲 Sukiyaki Nabe — A Must at Any Izakaya

I always order sukiyaki nabe when I visit an izakaya, and Sodamhee’s version didn’t disappoint. Sukiyaki is a Japanese-style hot pot made with a slightly sweet soy-based broth, usually filled with beef, tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables simmered together at the table. The broth here was deep and flavorful, filled with mushrooms, vegetables, and thin slices of beef, creating that warm, savory aroma you expect from a good sukiyaki.

It matched perfectly with the dim, cozy lighting inside the restaurant — warm, comforting, and ideal for sharing.

🍇 A Sweet Surprise — Shine Muscat

At the end of our meal, the staff gave us shine muscat as complimentary dessert. Cold, fresh, and naturally sweet — the perfect finish after the richer dishes. Little gestures like this add a nice touch to the overall experience.

If you’re looking for a nearby place for a casual second round, there’s a cozy pocha just 3 minutes away on foot.
I visited it recently and really enjoyed the spicy braised chicken — perfect for continuing the night after Sodamhee.
👉 https://0ddungs.kr/seokchon-lake-pocha-spicy-braised-chicken/

✨ Final Thoughts & Location

If you’re looking for a cozy Jamsil izakaya with warm lighting, relaxed energy, and delicious dishes, Sodamhee is a great pick. It works well for Cheongmo gatherings, date nights, quiet meetups with friends, or even a slow dinner before or after a walk around Seokchon Lake 🌙
I’d definitely come back for the salmon–yukhoe combo and the sukiyaki nabe.

Address (English):
1F, 105-ho, Ellui City, 9 Olympic-ro 30-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Instagram: http://instagram.com/sodamhee_