Jeju Izakaya Yama Review 2026: Straw-Smoked Mackerel Sashimi Gem
Discover Yama, a hidden gem Izakaya in Jeju's Nohyeong-dong. Savor unique straw-smoked mackerel sashimi and tender grilled abalone, perfect for an authentic culinary experience.
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Discover Yama, a hidden gem Izakaya in Jeju's Nohyeong-dong. Savor unique straw-smoked mackerel sashimi and tender grilled abalone, perfect for an authentic culinary experience.
The night before my husband and I moved out of Jeju, we debated where to have our final dinner. Ultimately, we decided to revisit a particular izakaya that had left a lasting impression from a previous trip.
That special place? Jeju Izakaya Yama in Nohyeong-dong!
Initially, we sought out Yama because we heard it was one of the few places near our home where you could truly enjoy authentic Sapporo draft beer. However, after our first visit, it was the incredible sashimi, even more than the beer, that truly captivated us.
The straw-smoked mackerel sashimi, with its distinctive smoky aroma, was so memorable that we simply had to return one last time before leaving Jeju.
If you're staying in Nohyeong-dong or Yeon-dong and are looking for a tranquil spot to enjoy exquisite sashimi and drinks, this Jeju izakaya is definitely worth checking out.
Our first visit was on a weekend, around 6:30 PM. It was a bit early for a serious drinking session, so the restaurant was relatively quiet. This allowed my husband and me to enjoy our meal and drinks in a wonderfully intimate setting.
On that evening, we ordered the straw-smoked mackerel sashimi and Aji Namero.
Unsurprisingly, the straw-smoked mackerel sashimi was the highlight!
The mackerel's surface is lightly seared over a straw flame, similar to a tataki preparation. The moment it touched my tongue, a delicate, lingering straw-smoked aroma filled my mouth, which was absolutely delightful.
It instantly brought back memories of the incredible straw-grilled dishes I'd enjoyed during a trip to Japan recently!
The natural richness of the mackerel, combined with that smoky char, offered a unique charm that set it apart from typical mackerel sashimi.
Aji Namero is a dish of horse mackerel sashimi mixed with miso. The savory miso blended beautifully with the umami of the horse mackerel, creating a truly delicious combination.
A bite of that, followed by a refreshing sip of Sapporo draft beer, was a match made in heaven! Haha. What started as a quest for great Sapporo draft beer ended with Yama becoming a memorable Jeju sashimi spot in my mind.
Our second visit was quite special. It was the very last night before we moved out of Jeju, and my husband and I pondered where to have our final meal. Yama naturally came to mind. Our first experience had been so satisfying that we decided to try some different menu items this time.
Our first drink of the night was sake! Haha. We ordered it by the glass to try, but it didn't quite hit the spot for me.
For our dishes, we chose Benizari Sashimi and Grilled Abalone.
The Benizari Sashimi had its skin lightly seared, giving it a subtle smoky aroma.
It was served with wasabi, salt, and barley miso, allowing us to try different combinations with each bite. This variety made the experience even more enjoyable.
However, the dish that truly impressed me that night was the Grilled Abalone.
The abalone was coated in a rich geu-sauce (made from abalone innards) and served with grilled rice cakes. What truly surprised me was how incredibly tender the abalone was!
The combination of soft, chewy rice cakes and the tender abalone was absolutely perfect.
While the straw-smoked mackerel sashimi was the most memorable from our first visit, the grilled abalone was definitely the standout on our second. If I were to visit Yama again, I'd probably order this combination:
Straw-Smoked Mackerel Sashimi
Grilled Abalone
Sapporo Draft Beer
Since mackerel sashimi is best in winter, I'll have to plan my next visit for then! Haha.
📍 Yama
1st Floor, 82-1 Sudeok 9-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Yama, which I've introduced today, is nestled in a residential area of Nohyeong-dong. It's easily accessible by taxi from major accommodations in Nohyeong-dong or Yeon-dong, and there's also public parking nearby.
When I visited, the atmosphere was more about calmly enjoying food and drinks rather than being a boisterous pub, making it ideal for a date night or even solo dining.
What began as a search for Sapporo draft beer eventually became a place whose sashimi and appetizers were so unforgettable that we returned the night before leaving Jeju.
If you're looking for a Jeju izakaya near Nohyeong-dong or Yeon-dong where you can enjoy delicious sashimi and refreshing draft beer, I highly recommend Yama!
Our Straw-Smoked Mackerel Sashimi features mackerel lightly seared over a straw flame, similar to tataki. When you taste it, a subtle aroma of straw smoke fills your mouth, and this smoky flavor, combined with the mackerel's inherent richness, offers a distinct appeal compared to regular mackerel sashimi.
Yama offers a calm atmosphere for enjoying food and drinks, rather than a bustling pocha (street food tent). Located in a residential area of Nohyeong-dong, it's easily accessible by taxi from major accommodations in Nohyeong-dong or Yeon-dong. Public parking is also available nearby.
The author stated that on their next visit to Yama, they would order a combination of Straw-Smoked Mackerel Sashimi, Grilled Abalone, and Sapporo Draft Beer. They specifically added that the Straw-Smoked Mackerel Sashimi is best enjoyed in winter.
On the second visit, the most satisfying menu item was the Grilled Abalone. The abalone was coated with a rich 'geu-u' sauce (abalone gut sauce) and served with grilled rice cakes. The abalone itself was surprisingly tender.
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