Hey everyone! It’s been a little while!
So much has happened since we last talked—Korea just had Chuseok (our version of Thanksgiving!), and the weather has finally cooled down nicely. Fall is here, which means tons of delicious seasonal food is popping up everywhere!
Today, I want to take you out for a fun night in Mullae-dong, one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit in cool fall weather!
I’ve shared some of my favorite Mullae-dong cafes and day-trip itineraries before, but today we’re diving into Mullae-dong’s nightlife!
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The spots I’m sharing today blur the line between a casual Korean pub and a full-on Korean dining restaurant. The food spreads are so huge and tasty that you might forget you’re actually at a bar! I knew I just had to share these awesome places with you guys.
First Spot: “And Mullae” (그리고 문래) — Perfect for Day Drinking!
Let me start by introducing And Mullae (그리고 문래), a spot you can actually visit during the daytime!
I made plans to meet up with friends over the weekend for drinks, but most pubs don’t open until 4 or 5 PM. While searching around for an earlier spot, I stumbled upon this place! They serve a wide variety of Korean fusion dishes, making it the perfect place to grab a real meal and a drink at the same time.
Like I’ve mentioned before, when Koreans say “let’s go out for drinks,” we never mean just drinking—it’s always about pairing good drinks with amazing food (anju)!
They have a huge drink selection, ranging from traditional Korean liquors and makgeolli (rice wine) to sake and wine. My husband and our friend’s wife chose Korean makgeolli, while my friend’s husband and I went with sake. Since we all showed up on an empty stomach without eating breakfast, we just kept ordering dish after dish!
Chive Pancake (Buchujeon): Since we ordered makgeolli, a crispy chive pancake was an absolute must!
Beef Tartare (Yukhoe): We started off with fresh Korean-style beef tartare as our appetizer.
Korean Fusion Dishes: Even though it’s a Korean pub, they have fun fusion items like Arancini and Abalone Risotto, so we ordered a bit of everything to share!
Tasty Eats, Cozy Vibes & Clean Restrooms!
The food was so good that our glasses kept emptying faster and faster! Is it a restaurant or a pub? Honestly, who cares when the food is this great, haha!
Since we went during the day, it was nice and quiet. The restaurant has super high ceilings and plenty of space between tables, making the whole vibe feel fresh and relaxed.
Here’s a huge tip for visiting Mullae-dong,
Mullae-dong used to be an old industrial ironworks district, so a lot of the buildings outside are pretty old and weathered. Because of that, finding a clean restroom around here can sometimes be a struggle—especially for women, and especially if you’re drinking beer! Luckily, And Mullae has its own clean, well-maintained private restroom inside, which is a total lifesaver.
Plus, during the cool autumn months like September and October, they pop open their huge floor-to-ceiling windows so you can sit back, sip your drink, and enjoy the refreshing evening breeze!
Brand New Spot: Mukmuki Mullae (묵무키 문래)
Next up is a brand-new Korean pub that just opened in the first week of September!
I’d describe Mukmuki Mullae (묵무키 문래) as a Korean-style tapas bar. Usually, Korean pubs serve huge plates meant for sharing, which is great, but it makes it hard to try lots of different things if you have a small group.
Mukmuki fixes that problem by offering super affordable small plates, so you can order a bunch of different bites and try a little bit of everything!
To celebrate a few friends who had birthdays in September, I made a reservation at this newly opened spot. I was expecting a quiet, cozy little place, but it turned out to be pretty large and super lively!
Since the autumn weather was so nice, they had all the big doors wide open with upbeat music playing. The energetic vibe actually made it a fun place for a birthday party—though to be totally honest, I usually prefer quieter spots myself!
If you’re visiting with just one friend, sitting right at the bar counter would be so much fun! You can watch the chefs cook your food right in front of you while ordering one small plate at a time.
Lately, I’ve completely fallen in love with eating at bar counters!
There is something so special about listening to the chefs explain each dish they built for you and getting a quick peek behind the scenes. Seeing all the care that goes into the food makes every single bite taste so much better! Honestly, I first discovered how fun counter seating was when I visited Yeouido Yojeong a while back, and ever since then, I’m hooked, haha!
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Like in the photo above, we ordered sashimi first. The fish was so fresh and high quality that we ended up ordering sushi right after! And of course, we had to pair it with some cold Korean beer!
My absolute favorite beer in the world is Stella, but for a local choice, Hanmac (한맥) is genuinely right up there for me. I can’t quite remember if it was on tap or from a bottle, but either way, Hanmac is so crisp and delicious, haha!
Another awesome thing about ordering small plates here is getting to enjoy items like gopchang (grilled beef intestines) without having to grill them at the table yourself. If you’re nervous about going to a full-on gopchang or Korean BBQ joint, or if you’re pressed for time, trying a small plate like this is such a great way to experience those authentic flavors!
To wrap everything up, we ordered a piping-hot bowl of spicy egg ramyeon! I tell you guys this all the time: a real Korean meal always ends with either fried rice or ramyoen! Especially when you’re drinking, finishing the night with a warm, spicy soup is an unwritten law in Korea! It lets you enjoy your drinks and sober up with a comforting bowl of broth all before heading home—the ultimate 2-in-1 combo!
Ending the Night : Walking through the park
Feeling super proud that we checked out Mullae-dong’s newest hot spot, we headed out to a nearby park for round two. Mullae-dong’s night streets are so lively and interesting to walk through!
Plus, after eating so many small plates, we really needed a long walk to diges. Seoul is incredibly safe at night, so as long as you stay in lit areas, taking a stroll through a local park to breathe in the cool night air is totally safe and relaxing. Grab a quick ice cream or dessert from a nearby convenience store, take a walk, and soak in the perfect fall weather!
I hope you all get to experience a cozy, beautiful autumn in Korea too! I’ll be back soon with another delicious food adventure!
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