Sungshin Women’s University Restaurant, Cheolgil Busanjib Sungshin Women’s University Branch is a cozy spot perfect for a date, especially when the cold winds start to blow. Known for its premium oden bar and traditional Korean liquor selection, this izakaya has grown in popularity despite the decline in oden bars across the city. Located just a 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Sungshin Women’s University Station, Cheolgil Busanjib offers a warm, intimate atmosphere that makes it a popular choice among students and locals alike.
If you’re looking for a cozy izakaya experience in Seoul, especially when the weather turns chilly, there’s no better spot than Cheolgil Busanjib near Sungshin Women’s University. This place is perfect for a casual night out or a date, offering premium fish cakes paired perfectly with traditional Korean liquors.
Once a trend, oden bars were everywhere, providing a quick bite with drinks. Unfortunately, many of these places disappeared, possibly due to rising costs and other factors. However, Cheolgil Busanjib has managed to stick around, transforming into a premium oden bar. Hearing about its reputation, I decided to check it out.
Overview, Sungshin Women’s University Restaurant, Cheolgil Busanjib Sungshin Women’s University Branch
Located just a 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Sungshin Women’s University Station, Cheolgil Busanjib is easy to get to by public transport. If you’re driving, there’s parking available for a reasonable price through Kakao T parking services nearby.
Cheolgil Busanjib Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM
Nestled at the end of Sungshin Women’s University’s lively restaurant street, Cheolgil Busanjib stands out. Thinking that an oden bar would be a second-stop destination, I arrived relatively early but was surprised to find the place nearly full. It’s clear that this place has a strong reputation not just for its oden but for other dishes as well, making it a popular first choice for many.
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Interior Space of Sungshin Women’s University Restaurant, Cheolgil Busanjib Sungshin Women’s University Branch
Upon entering, you’re immediately greeted by a warm and intimate atmosphere. The wooden decor and soft lighting make it an ideal spot to warm up on a cold day.
The restaurant has various seating options, including table seating and a charming bar area. Additionally, there’s a “dot-jji” seating section, which is a cozy tatami-style area perfect for small groups looking to enjoy a more private dining experience. Most of the seating is designed for groups of four or two, and but there are also bar seats and a so-called “terrace seat” outside. Even with a full house, the space isn’t too loud, making it perfect for conversations over drinks.
Each table has its own personal oden pot, a great touch for hygiene and convenience. This setup allows you and your companions to enjoy your food without the need to share with others, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Menu
The menu, displayed on wooden plaques in true izakaya style, is straightforward yet appealing. It offers a variety of dishes centered around premium oden, along with other izakaya favorites and Korean-style dishes that pair well with traditional liquors. The drink selection is diverse, featuring traditional Korean liquors, sake, draft beer, highballs, and soju.
Dining experience of Sungshin Women’s University Restaurant, Cheolgil Busanjib Sungshin Women’s University Branch
Instead of ordering multiple single dishes, I opted for a set menu that seemed the most appealing:
- Haewoondae Set (Oden for two + Main dish: Busanjib Spicy Rice Cake) – 33,000 KRW
- Extra Crispy Karaage – 18,000 KRW
- One bottle of Seosul, a favorite traditional liquor of mine – 30,000 KRW
After ordering, the staff quickly set up our personal oden pot and filled it with broth, creating a mini private oden bar right at our table.
As we waited for the rest of our food, I took a sip of the broth, served in an adorable, traditional-style cup. It was the perfect warm-up for the evening.
Soseol, my favorite traditional liquor, which is clean like sake and less likely to give a headache compared to cheongju, made its appearance. They served it in a bucket filled with ice to keep it chilled, which was nice.
However, the label on the Soseol bottle was made of fabric, which got wet, obscuring the footprints design on the snow that I wanted to show. Nonetheless, we took it out and toasted!
Looking around the restaurant, I noticed that they even had special glasses reserved for regular customers. If the taste is as good as the atmosphere, I might make this my go-to spot and even get my own regular glass here.
Next came our ordered dishes, starting with the Haewoondae Set, beautifully plated and generously portioned. It included water rice cakes, curly oden skewers, yubu mochi pouches, black konjac, oden balls, spicy glass noodles, and cheese.
Other types of fish cakes come pre-cooked, so you can either dip them in the broth or eat them as is, depending on your preference. However, the black konjac needs to be cooked a bit longer, so I slid it into the pot. I also added the other fish cakes one by one. This kind of interactive experience is so much fun that it made me think, “I have to bring my foreign friends here when they visit Korea!” This is what makes Busanjib near Sungshin Women’s University such a great place.
The oden here have a high content of fish meat, which is immediately noticeable from the first bite. Even if you leave them in the broth for a long time, they don’t get soggy; instead, they remain firm and chewy. These aren’t your average fish cakes — they’re premium, handmade ones. And the fact that the broth can be refilled indefinitely adds even more to the satisfaction.
The fish cakes at Busanjib have a truly authentic taste and texture, sticking to traditional methods. If you visit this izakaya near Sungshin Women’s University, make sure to order the fish cake set and add some extra! I highly recommend it. The fish cakes are perfectly chewy yet tender — honestly, some of the best I’ve had in a long time.
The Busanjib Spicy Rice Cake that came next was equally impressive, featuring large, well-seasoned rice cakes that had absorbed the spicy sauce perfectly.
Finally, the crispy karaage was a treat, cooked in clean oil and served with tartar and chili sauces for dipping.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Cheolgil Busanjib exceeded my expectations in every way, from the ambiance and service to the food and drinks. It’s clear why this place has become a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re meeting friends, going on a date, or simply looking for a cozy spot to enjoy traditional Korean flavors, I highly recommend visiting Cheolgil Busanjib.
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