Hidden Gem for Chili Pepper Fritters in Yeonnam-dong - Honest Review of 우이락 Yeonnam Branch

The Chili Pepper Fritters I've Been Seeing on Instagram, I Finally Tried Them!

I've been seeing photos of the 우이락 Yeonnam branch's chili pepper fritters on Instagram stories so often lately that I got curious, and I finally went with a friend! The original location in Mangwon Market is said to be famous, but since the Yeonnam branch is closer to my home, we chose to go there.

Location and First Impressions

If you walk straight towards Yeonnam-dong from Hongik University Station, it's located at Donggyo-ro 265. It's really easy to find since it's near an intersection! The sign is quite noticeable even when passing by. It's located on the first floor, and the exterior gives off a clean Korean pub vibe.

Interior Atmosphere and Waiting Time

We went around 6 PM on a Saturday evening, and luckily, there was no waiting! The interior had a cozy makgeolli bar atmosphere, with wooden tables and warm lighting that I really liked. There were people who came alone, as well as couples and groups of friends.

Menu Selection and Order

Looking at the menu, the signature chili pepper fritters were 11,000 won for three pieces. At first, I thought it was a bit pricey, but once I saw them in person, I understood why, haha. There was a wide variety of makgeolli, and we ordered the cream makgeolli recommended by the staff. We also ordered tofu kimchi and seafood pancake.

The Much-Anticipated Chili Pepper Fritters!

The chili pepper fritters finally arrived! They were really big. Much larger than I expected and packed with filling, so three pieces seemed more than enough to be filling. The outside was crispy, and the inside was moist, with almost no spiciness, so even someone like me who can't handle spicy food could enjoy them.

When you take a bite, the juices come out moistly, and the meat texture was really good, with seasoning just to my taste. Seeing the cross-section cut that I saw on Instagram in person, I understood why everyone takes photos, haha.

Cream Makgeolli and Other Dishes

The cream makgeolli was really smooth and sweet. It paired really well with the chili pepper fritters! The seafood pancake was crispy and had a lot of seafood, so it was satisfying. The tofu kimchi had kimchi that was moderately fermented, which complemented the rich dishes well.

Value for Money and Overall Impression

Honestly, just looking at the chili pepper fritters, 11,000 won might seem expensive, but given their size and taste, they are definitely worth it. Overall, it cost about 60,000 won for the two of us, but with the good atmosphere and delicious food, it was a satisfying evening.

Places to Explore Nearby

Since it's Yeonnam-dong, there are really many pretty cafes around. It would be nice to go on a Yeonnam-dong cafe tour after eating at 우이락! Especially since Yeontral Park and Gyeongui Line Forest Park are close by, it's perfect for a walk.

Willingness to Revisit

I've decided to come again with a friend next time! I heard there's also consomme chili pepper fritters, so I want to try those and also challenge myself with other types of makgeolli. I highly recommend it to those looking for a pub with a nice atmosphere in Yeonnam-dong ✨