🍶 Yakitori Dongjak in Gimpo Gurae-dong is perfect for:
✔︎Those seeking a Japanese-inspired izakaya in Gimpo Gurae-dong
✔︎Foodies looking for delicious handmade skewers in Gurae-dong
✔︎Anyone craving a refreshing drink after work
Lately, my daily journal has been filled with words like:
"frustrated", "angry", "stressed"
So, I suddenly found myself craving a nice, cold draft beer.
And if I'm going to have a drink, it might as well be with some delicious food, right?
I was also in the mood for skewers, so I discovered and visited a fantastic izakaya in Gurae-dong specializing in handmade skewers.
When I think of an izakaya, I usually imagine a smaller, more intimate space.
But Yakitori Dongjak Gimpo Gurae Branch was surprisingly spacious,
making it perfect for groups.
Before visiting, I had heard that Yakitori Dongjak blended Japanese and Korean aesthetics.
However, given it's an izakaya, I naturally assumed it would have a strong Japanese feel.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it had a unique atmosphere, different from other izakayas I've been to, which I really enjoyed.
They even had seating that felt like an outdoor patio, but was actually indoors.
It was a semi-outdoor spot connected to the outside.
It looked inviting, but since it was a bit chilly that evening, we opted for a fully indoor table.
Ordering was convenient via the tablet at each table, and
Yakitori Dongjak in Gurae-dong had a truly diverse menu.
Since it's known for its handmade skewers, I ordered the Dongjak Skewers 9-piece set ,
along with Motsunabe (which I knew I'd love), Coke for my mom,
and draft beer for my dad and me.
After ordering, they brought out complimentary appetizers: shrimp crackers and tteokbokki.
I enjoyed the shrimp crackers, but the tteokbokki was truly amazing! It was sweet and incredibly flavorful. ❤️
Our main dishes arrived quickly, so let me share my thoughts on each one.
Dongjak Skewers 9-piece Set While handmade skewers can be ordered individually,
the Dongjak Skewers 9-piece set offers a variety of Yakitori Dongjak's signature items:
flame-grilled chicken thigh, chicken and green onion (negima), chicken shoulder with mentaiko mayo,
chicken heart, gizzard, chicken neck, knee cartilage, chicken skin, and one pork belly-wrapped tomato skewer.
It's a fantastic way to enjoy a diverse selection of skewers.
These skewers were as delightful to look at as they were to eat.
For me, the chicken shoulder with mentaiko mayo was the absolute best!
What I found unique about Yakitori Dongjak is that they offer a variety of special dipping sauces to enhance the handmade skewers:
house special sauce, spicy mayo, hot sauce, wasabi mayo,
salt with wasabi, and yuzu pickled radish. It was great to try the skewers with so many different flavors.
And as you eat, the skewers can cool down, right?
They provide a mini grill to keep them warm, along with special skewer forks, making them incredibly easy to enjoy.
Motsunabe Skewers are great, but for a more complete drinking experience, Motsunabe seemed like a perfect pairing.
So, we ordered Motsunabe, and I was surprised by the generous portion size.
Usually, izakayas serve smaller portions of Motsunabe, but this one was enough for a full meal!
The beef intestines were plentiful and delicious, and the flavor itself wasn't too rich or greasy; it was very clean.
My dad and I thoroughly enjoyed it as an accompaniment to our drinks.
Draft Beer I debated between draft beer and a highball, but today, draft beer won me over.
It wasn't served in a typical glass, but a unique tall one, which added to the experience.
After a few draft beers, we switched to Cheongha (a Korean rice wine).
When we ordered Cheongha, the staff let us choose our own glasses.
It might seem like a small detail, but picking out a unique glass was really fun.
So, while draft beer is great, I recommend trying Cheongha here too! Haha.
My mom doesn't drink alcohol, so she had a Coke.
They brought her a chilled glass, which was a nice touch.
✔︎ My Review of Yakitori Dongjak Gimpo Gurae Branch
The quality of the handmade skewers and Motsunabe exceeded my expectations,
leaving me thoroughly satisfied. I highly recommend it!
Cielso
ⓒ2026.Cielso All rights reserved.
