Ttukseom Izakaya, Bamtori is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a quiet, authentic Japanese yakitori experience near Ttukseom. Whether it’s your second or third visit, this is the place I highly recommend to anyone craving great food and drinks.
“Go twice, go three times. If you’re heading to Ttukseom Station and looking for an izakaya, just go here.”
That’s how much I recommend Bamtori, a yakitori restaurant in Ttukseom! I visited twice before but gave up because the line was too long. However, for a special father-daughter date in Seongsu, I decided Bam Tori was the perfect spot for a light drink on our second stop of the night.
If you’re planning to go for the second round of drinks or want to visit at a specific time, I’d suggest checking Naver Reservations.
Overview, Ttukseom Izakaya, Bamtori
With great beers and delicious food, I left feeling totally full after dining at this Seongsu hotspot. Bamtori is located just five minutes from Exit 7 of Ttukseom Station or Exit 1 of Seoul Forest Station, making it incredibly accessible. If this place were within a 5-minute walk from my house, I would probably go every day. The prices are reasonable, and the energy from the team of three (who seem to be either the owners or employees) is infectious. Their positivity and the delicious food made everything perfect. Honestly, this is exactly the kind of place I would open if I ever owned a restaurant.
Bamtori Operating Hours:
- Open daily from 17:00 – 01:00 (Last order at 00:00)
As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by a chubby bear mascot with a chestnut-shaped hairstyle. The bear holds a beer in one hand and a yakitori skewer in the other—perfect for a photo op.
They’ve even got a thoughtful smoking area! There’s a lovely, movie-set-like seating area outside, perfect for waiting, but unfortunately, it was raining lightly on the day I visited, so we couldn’t sit there since the seats were wet.
The inside was already packed, with both the hall and bar seats fully occupied. There were three groups ahead of us on the waiting list, but we didn’t mind the wait. We used the time to explore the nearby area since we’d already had our first meal.
When waiting, make sure to answer your phone when it rings, or your turn will pass.
Normally, in a busy pub, you might give up after seeing a long queue, but Bamtori has a 2-hour 30-minute seating limit, making the wait more manageable. This thoughtful policy is just one of the reasons Bamtori is such a great spot in Seongsu.
more info: Official Instagram
Interior of Ttukseom Izakaya, Bamtori
Once our turn came, we entered through the automatic doors. There are six bar seats, and the hall has about four 4-person tables and two 2-person tables. It’s a compact but efficiently organized space.
The walls are adorned with Japanese-style posters, adding to the Japanese ambiance. There’s a large fridge displaying the various drinks they offer, which made it easier to choose what to order. We even ended up ordering a sake based on the display—seeing things laid out really helps!
We opted for bar seating, which was less noisy than the main hall. Watching the chef and staff efficiently run the kitchen was like watching a tycoon game—it was captivating!
Menu
Bamtori’s menu features classic yakitori and kushikatsu, as well as other izakaya staples like okonomiyaki, udon, shishamo (smelt), grilled mentaiko, and the trending octopus karaage, all at reasonable prices.
Their drink menu includes Kirin draft beer, which perfectly captures the essence of Japan. There’s also a wide selection of highballs, sawa (sours), sake, wine by the glass, and even traditional Korean alcohol. Whatever your preference, Bamtori has something for everyone.
When ordering, keep in mind the following:
- You must order one drink per person (bottles excluded).
- For food, each person must order at least two skewers.
Our Order:
- Negima (Chicken & Green Onion) – 3,900 KRW
- Kawa (Chicken Skin) – 3,500 KRW
- Garlic (2 skewers) – 2,900 KRW x 2
- Ginkgo Nuts (2 skewers) – 2,900 KRW
- Grilled Shishamo (5 fish) – 9,900 KRW
- Mini Oden Soup – 9,900 KRW
- Grilled Mentaiko – 9,900 KRW
- Octopus Karaage – 9,900 KRW
- Lemon Sawa (Non-alcoholic) – 8,000 KRW
- Kirin Ichiban Draft Beer – 8,000 KRW
Even though we just wanted a light meal with drinks, we ended up ordering a lot.
Ttukseom Izakaya, Bamtori, Food Review
We started with the crunchy cabbage (a common izakaya snack) to whet our appetites. Then came the ice-cold draft beer and lemon sawa in chilled glasses. The first sip was so refreshing—it brought a smile to my dad’s face!
Next came the octopus karaage. At 9,900 KRW, I wasn’t expecting much, but it turned out to be the plumpest, freshest octopus I’ve ever had. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over it and dip it in the house-made sauce—it’s the perfect pairing with beer!
Then, the yakitori arrived: ginkgo nuts, negima (chicken and green onion), and kawa (chicken skin). My dad doesn’t eat pork or certain chicken parts, so we selected carefully, and it was a success! The skewers are cooked over high-quality binchotan charcoal, giving them an excellent smoky flavor.
The ginkgo nuts were salty and addictive, the negima had a perfect balance of juicy chicken and green onion (we chose the soy sauce base, which was spot-on), and the kawa was crispy, though I wish it had been a bit crispier.
We also ordered the mini oden soup, which my dad, a die-hard oden lover, couldn’t resist. At 9,900 KRW, it was a steal! The soup was packed with goodies, including shiitake mushrooms. It was a hearty dish that felt like cheating, price-wise.
The grilled shishamo and garlic skewers were next. I gave all the shishamo to my dad and focused on the garlic, which was perfectly roasted—so delicious I couldn’t stop eating.
Finally, we wrapped up with the grilled mentaiko, served with crispy cucumbers and creamy mayo. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a cozy izakaya in Ttukseom or Seongsu where you can enjoy great beer and delicious food, Bamtori is a must-visit. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out with friends or a romantic date spot with authentic Japanese vibes, this place is a gem.
On my third visit, I finally got a seat, and it was worth the wait. Bam Tori is now my go-to izakaya in Seongsu!
related post you might enjoy: [Seoul / Seongsu-dong Restaurant] A Cozy Izakaya with Delicious Oden Soup and Okonomiyaki: Ojisang Seongsu