Toriaezu Sejong: Charcoal Yakitori & Draft Beer Review

When I was preparing to move to Sejong City, I spent a whirlwind of time traveling back and forth between Jeju Island and Sejong.

My biggest worry was a suspected leak in my new home, but thankfully, it was resolved much more smoothly than anticipated. With that weight lifted, I felt incredibly lighthearted and decided it was the perfect night to enjoy a relaxed drink.

That led me to the bustling Naseong-dong Food Street in Sejong.

The place we originally intended to visit had a long wait. As we looked around, a friendly owner caught our eye and, thanks to his kind guidance, we luckily snagged the last available seats at Toriaezu Sejong.

To cut to the chase, if you're looking for a fantastic bar in Sejong to savor skewers bursting with authentic charcoal flavor and enjoy a refreshing draft beer, this spot will definitely hit the mark.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Toriaezu Sejong: Location and Atmosphere

Toriaezu Sejong is conveniently located on the first floor of Star Tower, right in the heart of Naseong-dong Food Street.

With a variety of restaurants and bars clustered nearby, it's an ideal spot for a second round after dinner, or a perfect primary destination if you're just looking for a casual drink.

Stepping inside, the first thing you'll notice is the inviting counter seating.

We opted for the counter seats, and it was a fantastic choice. Watching the owner grill each skewer over charcoal right before our eyes made the waiting time fly by, adding to the overall experience.

On pleasant days, they also have outdoor seating, which I imagine would create a wonderful ambiance for enjoying a light beer.

Our Dining Experience: Menu Review

As someone who absolutely loves grilled skewers, I ordered a variety of options.

What I particularly appreciated was that the skewers are grilled over charcoal immediately upon order and served sequentially. This ensures that every bite is enjoyed at its absolute peak flavor and warmth.

Complimentary Appetizer

The basic appetizer is simply cabbage served with a savory miso dipping sauce.

While it seemed unassuming at first, the crisp cabbage dipped in miso was surprisingly addictive, keeping our hands busy until the skewers arrived. It was a perfect, light start to the meal.

Negima & Chicken Thigh

With the first bite, a subtle charcoal aroma permeated, and the chicken remained incredibly juicy and tender.

The Negima, in particular, with the sweet addition of green onions, was the perfect companion to a cold draft beer.

Chicken Heart, Butt, and Skin

Chicken heart can sometimes be a hit-or-miss for people due to its distinct flavor, but here, I believe it would be a definite hit for anyone!

The chicken heart boasted a delightful chewy texture, while the chicken skin was wonderfully crispy on the outside with just the right amount of tenderness and fat inside, making it an incredibly satisfying snack with drinks.

The chicken butt also impressed with its rich, savory flavor.

Tsukune (Chicken Meatball)

Tsukune is one of Toriaezu's signature dishes, and for good reason.

Dipping the soft chicken meatball into a rich egg yolk created a perfect harmony of flavors with the sweet sauce. This was personally the most memorable dish of the night for me.

Grilled Rice Balls

After enjoying several skewers, I craved something more substantial, so we ordered the grilled rice balls.

The exterior was beautifully grilled over charcoal, creating a crispy, almost 'nurungji' (scorched rice) like texture, while the inside remained perfectly moist.

The sweet tare sauce combined with the subtle smoky aroma made this an excellent dish to round off our meal.

Helpful Tips Before You Visit

Toriaezu's skewers are typically served with teriyaki sauce.

However, you can customize your order by marking your preference on the order sheet for each item, choosing between salt-grilled or spicy seasoning.

I personally prefer salt-grilled, so most of my choices were prepared that way. If you like variety, I highly recommend trying different sauces for a diverse tasting experience.

Is Toriaezu a Recommended Bar in Sejong?

Our visit to Toriaezu was entirely by chance, but it turned out to be an izakaya that exceeded our expectations and left a lasting impression.

Most importantly, the skewers, grilled fresh over charcoal with every order, were served perfectly warm, with a delightful natural smoky aroma that paired wonderfully with the draft beer.

The atmosphere is perfect for quiet conversations, making it ideal for dates, a casual drink after work, or even comfortable solo dining.

If you're looking for a bar with a great vibe in Sejong, or an izakaya in Naseong-dong where you can truly enjoy authentic charcoal yakitori, I highly recommend Toriaezu Sejong.

The fact that I discovered this place feeling relieved after my house issue was resolved might have made that draft beer taste even better, but even putting emotions aside, both the food and the ambiance were truly satisfying.

Next time I visit, I'm eager to try all the other types of skewers I missed out on!