Korean Bistro Mr.Ahn's Makgeolli

If you want to experience the soul of Korean drinking culture (sool) reimagined through a Michelin-selected lens, this restaurant is a must-visit in Seoul. This isn't just a meal; it’s an education in how traditional rice wines and distilled spirits can elevate modern gastronomy. The space is intimate, moody, and sophisticated—perfect for a date or a deep conversation over a bottle of artisan makgeolli. - Stuffed Cuttlefish: The restaurant's most famous signature. It's a tender, steamed cuttlefish stuffed with a savory pork and mushroom filling, served over a rich squid ink sauce and dusted with "butter powder" for an incredible melt-in-the-mouth finish. - Pulled Pork Taco: A clever fusion bite featuring tender pulled pork and radish kimchi served on a delicate, crispy shell (often a potato or rice crepe), topped with a smooth corn cream and fresh perilla leaves. - Crispy Shrimp Bites: These light, airy crisps are topped with seasoned dried baby shrimp (saeu-jeot style), offering a concentrated burst of salty, umami flavor that pairs perfectly with cold makgeolli. - Bossam-style Pork Platter: A refined take on the traditional boiled pork belly, served with artisanal condiments like house-made fermented soybean paste and seasonal pickled greens. Overall - An absolute "local jewel" in Yongsan. It is refined without being stuffy, and innovative without losing its roots. Make a reservation—it’s worth every bit of the hype!

I come up with this place on CatchTable. It is a modern Korean pub. You can order soju set, chongju set or makgeoli set with your food. We simply order omakase with makgeoli pairing. The food is modern, nicely presented and heavenly delicious! The makgeoli, chongju and berry spirit are interestingly in taste. This is the most satisfying meal, actually more than satisfying, of the cost of Korea this time. We will visit this place again when we are in Seoul next time.

A cosy and beautifully set-up restaurant with an impeccable service to match. The small bites were exquisite and had a great blend of flavours. We ordered the Ssam and Jeonbyeong, both really delicious. The mains were also lovely, and they helped to recommend their house makgeolli for food pairing. The makgeolli had interesting flavours and was delightful. Definitely a memorable meal in Korea.

An Unforgettable Evening Filled with Wonderful Scents, Style, and Flavor From the moment you open the door, a pleasant experience begins. The subtle scent of pine and wood that fills the space is incredibly calming, and the five flower vases on the large central table immediately make you feel welcome, raising your anticipation for the meal. It's thoughtful details like these that make a dinner feel special. I appreciated how the menu was thoughtfully laid out, guiding you from "one-bite" starters to a final "finish." You could feel their pride in the food from the first page, where they mention their commitment to using high-quality domestic ingredients and authentic Korean spirits. The 'Cheongmyeong Takju' we had was the perfect choice to accompany the meal. It was clean and crisp, without any artificial sweetness, making it a great pairing for everything we ate. The most memorable dish for me was the 'Dubu Hansang' (Tofu Platter). I was impressed that they specified it was made with "Paju Jangdan soybeans." The soft tofu was dressed in fragrant perilla oil and topped with savory fermented shrimp and salty pollack roe. The harmony of these flavors was just fantastic; I was amazed at how they created such a new and delicious combination from familiar ingredients. The 'Garaetteok Gui' (Grilled Rice Cake) for dessert was a pleasant surprise. It was served with sweet grain syrup and caramel, but also a "5-year aged soy sauce," which was a stroke of genius. The savory depth of the soy sauce added to the sweetness of the syrup and the toastiness of the rice cake created a sophisticated "sweet and salty" flavor that was on a whole different level. It was a completely satisfying evening enjoying delicious food and drinks in a wonderful atmosphere. I was surprised once more when I saw the bill and realized the entire experience cost only 123,000 KRW. I'm so happy to have found a gem of a place like this, and it will be the first spot I think of whenever I want a meal that feels both thoughtful and special.

Definitely a place to remember! Interesting concept menu, well-balanced dishes with really intriguing flavors. Staff were super friendly and had good awareness of each dish and its ingredients. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an elevated Korean food experience in Seoul.

It is actually a bar, with some good quality of innovative Korean small snack dishes. Bar food is little salty and rich flavor as usual. Suitable for drinkers or social network sharers. Definitely not for someone looking for fine gourmet and services.

Being in Seoul for the first time, I got lost and I tried different ways to get in touch with the restaurant. I was so grateful that my table was held for an hour after they WhatsApped me to check on me. I didn’t take many photos as I was busy savouring the food and drinks! I love makgeolli but it’s impossible to find good ones in my home country. Service here was sincere and impeccable and the dining experience was unforgettable! I will definitely come back on my next trip to Seoul! I highly recommend this place!

If you want Exquisite food, good vibe, great service and reasonable price , this is the place for you. Believe me! Regret going there on the last day of our trip. If I had more time, I would definitely go there at least twice.