Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa is a cozy spot for mocktails, cocktails and tteokbokki, just 8 minutes from Konkuk University Station in Seoul.
Konkuk University Cocktail Bar: Ggureogi Sangsa for Mocktails, Tteokbokki and a Quiet Night
Konkuk University is one of Seoul’s liveliest nightlife neighborhoods, but sometimes I want something a little different from its crowded bars and noisy main streets.
Somewhere I can enjoy the evening air, have a good drink, and wind down without having to shout over the music.
That’s exactly what I found at Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa (꾸러기상사), a small, cozy bar tucked away from the busiest part of the neighborhood.
What makes this place particularly memorable is its unusual combination of cocktails and Korean street food.
Tteokbokki with a cocktail might not sound like an obvious pairing, but after trying it here, I was surprised by how well the two worked together.
And there’s another reason I especially like this bar: its extensive selection of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic cocktails.
On this visit, I was driving and had another appointment afterward, so I couldn’t drink alcohol. Still, I wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of a cocktail bar while having something tasty to eat.
Ggureogi Sangsa turned out to be just the place.
Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa Location
Address: 1F, 29 Dongil-ro 24-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Korean address: 서울 광진구 동일로24길 29 1층
Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa is approximately an eight-minute walk from Exit 1 of Konkuk University Station.
The bar sits a little away from the neighborhood’s busiest restaurant and nightlife streets.
That’s part of its charm.
If you’ve already had dinner around Konkuk University and want somewhere quieter for a second round of drinks, the location works particularly well.
It’s also a lovely place to start the evening with a light meal and a cocktail before heading elsewhere.
For me, though, the best reason to visit is simply that it feels like a little neighborhood hideaway.
Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa Opening Hours
|
Day |
Opening hours |
|
Tuesday–Saturday |
7:00 PM–2:00 AM |
|
Sunday–Monday |
Closed |
These were the operating hours at the time of my visit. Check the latest schedule before going, particularly on holidays.
The 2 AM closing time makes Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa a convenient option for a late-night drink or a relaxed second stop after dinner.
Outdoor Seating for a Quiet Evening
The weather was lovely on the night I visited, so I chose an outdoor seat without much hesitation.
There are roughly five outdoor seats arranged around the front of the bar, and they’re particularly appealing if you’re visiting alone or want to enjoy a little fresh air.
I loved being able to sit outside on an early summer evening, with a gentle breeze and a drink in front of me.
There’s also a little home set up for the bar’s cat, complete with food and water bowls.
I’d heard about the cat before visiting, but unfortunately, it seemed to be out exploring that evening. It didn’t return during my stay.
Maybe next time.
more info : Official Instagram
Inside Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa : A Tiny, Cozy Cocktail Bar
The indoor space is small, but that’s exactly what gives it its character.
There are around four bar stools along the main counter and a couple of two-person tables in the dining area.
The bar is decorated with bottles of spirits, CDs, LP records, and small details that make the space feel personal rather than overly polished.
A projector adds another visual element to the ceiling, while soft music plays in the background.
It’s a lovely atmosphere for conversation.
I particularly appreciated that the music wasn’t so loud that it overwhelmed the room.
The entire place has the feeling of a little hideaway where you can settle in with a drink and forget about the busier streets nearby.
I even picked up a Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa sticker and added it to my MacBook.
A small souvenir from a place I already wanted to revisit.
Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa Menu: Cocktails, Highballs and Mocktails
As you’d expect from a cocktail bar, the drinks menu is the main attraction.
You’ll find signature highballs, classic cocktails, spirits, and a selection of lower-alcohol drinks.
But what really caught my attention was the range of non-alcoholic cocktails, also known as mocktails.
I’ve visited plenty of bars where the non-alcoholic selection feels like an afterthought.
Here, I was pleasantly surprised by how many choices there were.
That makes Ggureogi Sangsa a particularly useful place for anyone who wants to enjoy a cocktail-bar atmosphere without drinking alcohol.
Maybe you’re driving, have an early start the next morning, or simply don’t enjoy strong drinks.
Whatever the reason, it’s nice to have more options than a soft drink or a glass of juice.
The bar also serves a selection of food and snacks, including tteokbokki and assorted fried snacks.
And that was exactly the combination I wanted.
Pine Sunshine: A Refreshing Non-Alcoholic Cocktail
For my drink, I ordered Pine Sunshine, a non-alcoholic cocktail with a bright, cheerful appearance.
The color and decoration were lovely, and it looked every bit like a proper cocktail.
Flavor-wise, it reminded me of a refreshing combination of orange juice and calamansi ade.
It was fruity, citrusy, and very easy to drink.
If you’re looking for something with the complexity or bitterness of a traditional spirit-forward cocktail, this particular drink leans much more toward the sweet and refreshing side.
But that suited my evening perfectly.
I couldn’t drink alcohol because I was driving, yet I still got to enjoy sitting at a cocktail bar with a beautifully presented drink.
I actually considered ordering another mocktail, but an unexpected change to my schedule meant I had to leave sooner than planned.
That was probably my only regret of the night.
Tteokbokki and Cocktails: An Unexpectedly Good Combination
I originally stopped by for a drink, but I was also a little hungry.
So I ordered tteokbokki.
And honestly, tteokbokki with a cocktail turned out to be a much better combination than I’d expected.
If you’re unfamiliar with tteokbokki, it’s one of Korea’s most popular street foods, made with chewy rice cakes in a savory, spicy-sweet sauce.
It’s usually associated with casual snack shops rather than cocktail bars.
But that’s what makes the menu at Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa so much fun.
The comforting, familiar flavors of Korean street food work surprisingly well with a refreshing drink.
My order arrived beautifully presented, too.
Even the simplest dishes had little decorative touches that made me smile.
Between the early summer evening air, the food, and the relaxed atmosphere, it was exactly the kind of casual meal I needed that night.
Assorted Fried Snacks with Tteokbokki Sauce
I also ordered the assorted fried snacks, or modum twigim.
The platter included a generous variety of familiar Korean street-food favorites, such as squid, vegetables, sweet potato, seaweed rolls, and fried dumplings.
Everything was nicely crisp, with enough variety to keep the plate interesting.
One detail I particularly loved was the ketchup served with a little smiley-face decoration.
It was such a simple touch, but it perfectly matched the bar’s playful personality.
I started by dipping the fried snacks into the ketchup.
The combination reminded me of the old-fashioned ketchup served with Korean-style pork cutlets when I was younger.
Then, naturally, I moved on to dipping them into the leftover tteokbokki sauce.
If you’ve never tried crispy Korean fried snacks with tteokbokki sauce, I highly recommend it.
The sauce coats the crisp batter, adding a spicy-sweet flavor that makes the whole combination even more satisfying.
Together with the mocktail, it was just enough food to satisfy my hunger without turning the evening into a heavy dinner.
Is Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa Good for Solo Visitors?
Based on my experience, absolutely.
I visited alone and chose one of the outdoor seats, where I could comfortably enjoy my drink and food without feeling awkward.
The small bar counter is another good option if you’re visiting by yourself.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the music is gentle, and the space doesn’t have the overwhelming energy that some of Konkuk University’s larger nightlife venues can have.
Of course, the bar is also suitable for couples or friends who want to catch up over drinks.
But if you’re looking for a quiet bar near Konkuk University Station where you can enjoy a little time on your own, this is a lovely option.
What Should First-Time Visitors Order?
For a first visit, I’d recommend trying the combination that made this place memorable for me: a cocktail and Korean street food.
If you’re not drinking alcohol, start with one of the mocktails. Pine Sunshine is a good choice if you enjoy sweet, citrusy drinks.
Then add the tteokbokki and assorted fried snacks.
The tteokbokki sauce is particularly good for dipping the fried snacks, so I’d order the two together rather than choosing just one.
If you do drink alcohol, you can explore the cocktail and highball menu according to your preferences.
Either way, the food makes this feel like more than a place to stop for a quick drink.
Is Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa Worth Visiting?
Konkuk University Cocktail Bar Ggureogi Sangsa is exactly the kind of place I appreciate finding in a busy nightlife neighborhood.
It’s small, cozy, and tucked away from the loudest streets, with enough personality to feel like a little local hideaway.
I loved the outdoor seating, the relaxed music, and the playful presentation of the food.
But what made the biggest impression was how comfortably I could enjoy the evening without drinking alcohol.
Having a genuinely varied mocktail menu makes a difference, especially when you’re driving or simply want to take it easy.
And now that I’ve discovered how well cocktails and tteokbokki go together, I have another reason to return.
If you’re looking for a Konkuk University cocktail bar for a quiet second round, a casual date, or a solo evening with good food and a refreshing drink, Ggureogi Sangsa is a charming little spot to keep in mind.
Next time, I’d love to come back without another appointment waiting for me, order a cocktail and tteokbokki, and enjoy the evening a little longer.
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