If you are looking for a Hyehwa izakaya in Seoul after exploring Daehangno, Hanamato is an easy place to combine drinks, Japanese-style pub food, and the lively atmosphere of the theater district.
I visited Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa after spending the afternoon in the area. It is close enough to Hyehwa Station and Daehangno’s theaters to work well as a casual stop after a performance or as part of an evening date.
What stood out to me was the atmosphere. We sat outside on the first floor, surrounded by colorful signs and Japanese music, and ordered draft beer, a highball, oden, yakitori, and mentaiko cheese potatoes.
Hanamato describes itself as a casual yakitori and oden bar, making it a good match for travelers looking for a Japanese-style izakaya in Hyehwa.
Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa Quick Guide
Name: Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa (하나마토 대학로혜화)
Address: 10 Changgyeonggung-ro 34-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Korean address: 서울 종로구 창경궁로34길 10 1층
Area: Hyehwa / Daehangno
Nearest subway: Hyehwa Station, Seoul Subway Line 4
Food: Yakitori, oden, Japanese-style bar food
Best for: Drinks after a Daehangno show, casual dates, small groups
Opening hours can change, so check the latest information before visiting. Hanamato’s official branch information currently lists the Daehangno Hyehwa location at this address. (하나마토)
📍 View Hanamato Daehangno Hyehwa on Google Maps
Hanamato Hyehwa: Japanese Izakaya Near Hyehwa Station
Hanamato has both outdoor and indoor seating.
My friend and I chose the first-floor outdoor area because we wanted to enjoy the lively outdoor izakaya atmosphere.
Japanese music, colorful lighting, and street-facing tables gave the space a playful atmosphere.
If you prefer a quieter conversation or are visiting when the weather is too hot or cold, the second-floor indoor seating may be more comfortable.
What We Ordered at Hanamato Hyehwa
We ordered several dishes to share:
- Mentaiko cheese potatoes
- Five kinds of oden
- Five yakitori skewers
- Draft beer
- Hanamato highball
The oden and yakitori set was especially convenient for two people because we could try several different items without ordering each one separately.
Prices and menus may change, so I recommend checking the current menu when you visit.
Draft Beer and Highballs
We started with draft beer.
After walking around Daehangno, a cold beer was an easy first choice. My friend ordered another beer later, while I switched to a highball.
The combination of street-side seating and cold drinks was one of my favorite parts of the visit.
Oden at Hanamato: A Warm Japanese Hot-Pot Dish
One of the most memorable dishes was the five-piece oden assortment.
Oden is a Japanese hot-pot-style dish made with fish cakes and other ingredients simmered in a light broth. Korean travelers may be familiar with similar fish cakes, but the Japanese izakaya version is usually served as a warm dish to share with drinks.
The pieces at Hanamato were large enough that we cut some of them into smaller portions.
The warm broth made this the dish we continued eating slowly throughout the meal.
Mentaiko Cheese Potatoes
The mentaiko cheese potatoes were much richer.
Mentaiko is seasoned pollock roe, similar to Korean salted pollock roe. It has a salty, savory flavor and is often paired with potatoes or cheese in Japanese cuisine. Here, it was combined with potatoes and plenty of melted cheese.
The result was creamy, savory, and quite rich, which worked well with beer.
If you prefer lighter food, however, this may feel heavier than the oden or grilled skewers.
Yakitori in Hyehwa: Five Grilled Skewers
Our final main dish was a plate of five yakitori skewers.
Yakitori refers to Japanese grilled skewers, commonly made with different cuts of chicken and other ingredients.
Because each skewer was different, sharing the plate was more interesting than ordering several of the same type.
Eating yakitori outdoors while Japanese music played in the background added to the izakaya atmosphere.
Is Hanamato a Good Bar After a Daehangno Show?
Hanamato works best if you are looking for a casual bar near Hyehwa Station rather than a quiet restaurant.
I liked the outdoor seating, the variety of dishes, and the fact that we could order both warm oden and grilled skewers with our drinks.
The outdoor area can naturally feel livelier than the indoor seating, so travelers who prefer a quieter dinner may want to head upstairs.
For me, Hanamato fit particularly well into an afternoon and evening in Daehangno: spend time exploring the neighborhood or watching a performance, then stop here for yakitori, oden, beer, or a highball.
Ring Making Class in Hyehwa
If you are planning a Hyehwa date or Daehangno itinerary, another hands-on activity nearby is the Atelier Hosoo Ring Making One-Day Class.
The class takes about one hour and is available in English and Korean. Participants can choose from more than 20 designs, make a silver ring with guidance, and add an engraving of up to eight characters. Standard rings can generally be collected around 1–2 hours after the class. (Klook Travel)
I did not personally take this class, so I am including it as an additional activity option for travelers looking for something to do around Hyehwa.
Atelier Hosoo Ring Making One-Day Class in Hyehwa, Seoul
You can make your own ring before exploring Daehangno, then return later to collect it and continue the evening with dinner or drinks.
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