Yakitori Gokko Yeonnam

About

Cozy Yeonnam-dong izakaya serving charcoal-grilled yakitori skewers and draft beer in a warm, burgundy-toned dining space.

Tucked along a quiet Yeonnam-dong alley, Yakitori Goko Yeonnam channels the mood of a Tokyo side-street izakaya behind moody burgundy walls and warm lighting. From the street, open windows offer a glimpse of skewers over hot coals, drawing guests inside to comfortably spaced tables and front-row counter seats facing the grill. The centerpiece is the eight-piece omakase skewer set, priced accessibly at 20,900 won. Batches arrive fresh from the coals to ensure the meat never cools before it leaves the stick. Precise seasoning and heat control dictate each cut’s texture: chewy gizzards, tender hearts, rich tail meat, neck meat, and soft grilled tamago arrive first, followed by skewered chicken tenderloin, negima scallion-chicken, and crisped skin. The kitchen lets simple salt highlight the charcoal smoke, while juicy chicken thigh offers a rich, tender contrast to the crunchy, crackling skins. Complementing the skewers is a crisp side of raw cabbage alongside substantial izakaya staples. Thin-skinned pan-fried gyoza burst with interior juices, and the grilled pollock roe (myeongran gui) arrives generously plated, pairing salty char with sweet, glossy dipping sauce. Diners also gravitate toward bowls of rich mentaiko cream udon and toasted yaki onigiri to anchor late-night drinks. The space caters naturally to couples and small gatherings, requiring one drink per guest with a two-hour limit when the room fills. Pours center on frosted glasses of Kirin draft beer alongside soju and bottled lagers. Finished with practical considerations—including clean gender-separated restrooms tucked in the back—Yakitori Goko Yeonnam delivers an unpretentious, smoke-scented drinking experience deep in Mapo's backstreets.