Rodeungga Yeonnam Branch

About

Cozy Yeonnam-dong izakaya with counter seating around an open charcoal grill, folding terrace doors, and a resident Shiba Inu mascot.

Tucked into the quieter maze of Yeonnam-dong’s backstreets, Rodengga channels the unhurried warmth of an Osaka neighborhood izakaya. Before you even cross the threshold, you are likely to spot Ugong, the resident Shiba Inu lounging near the entrance, setting a disarming tone for the evening. In mild weather, the front folding doors push wide open, blending the glow of the amber-lit dining room with the cool outdoor alley breeze. The heart of the space is a central counter bar ringed by a handful of tables. It is an arrangement tailored for solitary drinkers and low-key pairs alike, where lingering over a drink feels entirely natural. Perched at the counter, you get a front-row seat to the kitchen, where skewers sizzle over charcoal fires. The eight-piece yakitori set is a standout showcase of this grill work, turning out charred cuts like *negima* (chicken and scallion), crunchy cartilage, succulent *seseri* (neck meat), and glazed *tsukune* meatballs alongside bacon-wrapped cherry tomatoes. Beyond classic skewered fare, the kitchen serves distinct regional comfort food. The beef brisket *tonpeiyaki* (upei-yaki)—a savory, egg-wrapped teppan plate packed with thinly sliced meat—offers rich sustenance alongside crisp glasses of draft beer. Those craving heat can order the spicy Jecheon-style red fishcakes (*Jecheon bbalgan odeng*), while richer cravings are met with bowls of ragu cream udon. Between savory plates, the house-made *mozzirella-tofu* (mojjiri dofu) provides a soft, elastic, and mildly sweet palate cleanser. Between the hum of conversation over the grill, the attentive staff chatting across the counter, and handwritten notes left in the house guestbook, Rodengga captures a lingering late-night ease. Running until the early morning hours, it is as suited for an unhurried solo nightcap as it is for an intimate second-round stop.