Gupda Yeonnam-dong Robatayaki Review 2026: Authentic Japanese Vibes

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Yeonnam-dong Pub with a Great Vibe: A Brand-New Izakaya

Gupda

Photos/Text ©MinimaniMoo

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Hello everyone!

This is MinimaniMoo, bringing you delicious restaurant stories hand-picked by Mini!

Even though it's June, the evenings still bring a cool, gentle breeze, don't they!

On days like these, there's nothing quite like the pure joy of

sipping a refreshing beer at a pub with an outdoor terrace or an open-air dining area,

or one that throws open its folding doors for an amazing sense of openness.

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a brand-new, hot spot that just opened in

Yeonnam-dong, Hongdae – an izakaya called Gupda!

It's a robatayaki izakaya with a fantastic ambiance where you can truly immerse yourself

in an authentic Japanese vibe. And yes, this is my honest, "paid-for-myself" review!

If you're looking for a date spot or a place to gather with friends

near Yeonnam-dong's Gyeongui Line Forest Park,

make sure to check out today's post!

Table of Contents
1	Gupda Izakaya in Yeonnam-dong: Business Information
2	How to Make a Reservation at Gupda
3	Exterior / Interior
4	Menu & What We Ordered
5	Review
6	Overall Impression

Gupda Izakaya in Yeonnam-dong: Business Information

📍Address	1st Floor, 210 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
⏰Hours of Operation	·Mon, Wed - Fri: 17:00 ~ 02:00 (Last order 01:00) ·Sat - Sun: 16:00 ~ 02:00 (Last order 01:00) ·Closed every Tuesday
📞Phone Number	070-7868-9299
🚇Transportation	3-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 2 or 3
💡Amenities	Reservations / Separate male and female restrooms / Waiting area Group seating available
🚗Parking	No parking available at the building Recommended to use nearby paid parking

How to Make a Reservation at Gupda

To make a reservation at Gupda in Yeonnam-dong,

simply call the restaurant directly.

If you have a preference for certain seats, like the outdoor terrace, open-air dining area, or bar tables,

we highly recommend making a reservation in advance!

Exterior / Interior

Just a short walk from Hongik University Station towards the Gyeongui Line Forest Park,

you'll spot Gupda's neat exterior on a first-floor corner along the main street.

Outside the restaurant, you can see photos of the menu items,

allowing you to check them out before stepping inside.

Stepping inside, you're greeted by a warm, wood-toned interior and

soft, atmospheric lighting, creating the perfect mood for a first date or a romantic evening.

The space is incredibly versatile, offering airy outdoor terrace seating, as well as

cozy bar tables perfect for solo diners or couples, and even

private rooms and group seating. It's truly a great fit for any kind of gathering.

I also really appreciated that the restrooms inside the restaurant were

cleanly separated for men and women.

Menu & What We Ordered

Gupda specializes in

robatayaki and yakitori. Their signature dishes are

grilled fish, subtly cooked over a charcoal hearth (irori), and fresh, handmade skewers.

On one side of the restaurant, you'll find a dedicated refrigerator storing the fresh,

handmade ingredients for their appetizers, meticulously prepared by the owner every day.

It's comforting to know everything is clean and hygienically managed, so you can enjoy your meal with complete trust.

Ordering is a breeze with the tablets installed at each table,

allowing you to easily choose your dishes while browsing photos.

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What We Ordered

·Skewers

·Grilled Fish

·Draft Beer

·Soju

Review

Once your order is placed,

you'll be served crisp danmuji (pickled radish) and spicy, refreshing chili pickles as complimentary appetizers.

Next, our refreshing draft beer arrived,

and the ratio of creamy foam to beer was absolutely perfect – a golden ratio!

Handmade skewers (yakitori)

are freshly grilled over charcoal in an open kitchen as soon as you order,

and served on colorful, beautiful plates!

A golden-brown visual, brimming with the aroma of charcoal!

They're skewered in perfectly bite-sized pieces, making them super easy to pick off and enjoy.

Honestly, I used to not be a big fan of eggplant dishes,

and I wouldn't even look at them,

but I have no idea why charcoal-grilled eggplant is so incredibly sweet and delicious!

Soaked in a sweet and savory tare sauce,

it just melts in your mouth with its natural juices!

My absolute favorite chicken skewer!

The meat was incredibly tender with absolutely no dryness,

so I truly enjoyed every bite.

The gizzard skewers, with their superb chewy texture,

also offered a perfect flavor, completely free of any gamey taste!

This Robatayaki spot makes you feel like you've been transported to Japan,

and you absolutely can't miss their grilled mackerel!

I'm sure they grilled a fresh, whole mackerel, not a frozen one,

because the freshness was palpable.

Perhaps it's because they gently grill it over strong charcoal,

but the outside is crispy, and the inside is wonderfully juicy with just the right amount of fat,

achieving that perfect crispy-outside-juicy-inside texture!

Dipping a piece of the light, savory mackerel into soy sauce,

it makes for an excellent accompaniment to drinks.

Overall Impression

The Yeonnam-dong pub 'Gupda' (굽다) was a charming robatayaki specialist, boasting excellent accessibility right by the forest path, fresh handcrafted grilled dishes for drinks, and the ability to enjoy both an outdoor market vibe and a high-end izakaya experience simultaneously.

✔️ Hongdae Entrance Station, 3-minute walk, great station access

✔️ From cool outdoor terrace seats to solo-drinking counters and private rooms

✔️ Visibly fresh yakitori and whole grilled fish

How about spending this evening in a charming Yeonnam-dong alley,

enjoying delicious charcoal-grilled skewers with a refreshing draft beer?

Yeonnam-dong Brunch: Lazy Frog, a Gyeongui Line Forest Park restaurant

Jensen Huang's Hongdae Samgyeopsal Gathering: Hyungnimjeoyo, a venerable Samgyeopsal restaurant

Yeonnam-dong Restaurant: Yesterday, Yakitori and Oden