A Sake Bar in Songpa That Takes Raw Fish Seriously

There's a whole strip of low-key bars and restaurants tucked into the Songnidan-gil area of Songpa — and Sake Shop (사케쇼프) is the kind of place that rewards people who actually wander off the main drag. It's small, it's dark, and it does one thing better than most: aged sashimi with sake to match.

What to Expect

This is an izakaya-style bar, which basically means it's built around drinking well and eating even better. Think of it less like a Japanese restaurant and more like a late-night spot where the food happens to be serious. The space fits maybe 20 people on a good night, the lighting is low, and the tables are close together. Reviewers keep reaching for the same comparison — it feels like a Japanese midnight diner. That's not an exaggeration.

The food leans heavily into seafood, and specifically aged sashimi (sutgan sashimi). If you've only had fresh raw fish before, aging changes things. The texture is softer, the umami deeper — less bright, more complex. And here they serve it with barley miso, which is an unusual pairing that apparently works really well. If raw fish in general makes you nervous, this is actually a gentler introduction than a standard sashimi plate — the aging rounds out any sharpness.

Not vegetarian-friendly. Not halal-friendly. This is a seafood and sake spot and it leans into both.

What to Order

The aged sashimi plate is the centerpiece. It's around 40,000 KRW on its own, so go in knowing this isn't a casual snack — it's the meal. The quality is consistently praised in reviews, though a few people think the price is steep for the portion. Worth it if you're here to eat properly; less so if you just want to drink.

The abalone liver pasta keeps coming up in reviews as the dish people didn't expect to love. Abalone liver has an intense, briny depth — it's not for everyone, but in pasta form it's approachable. If you're up for something unusual, this is the one.

The torched mackerel — one reviewer specifically called out a mackerel dish with torched fat on top and seaweed underneath. Simple, well-executed, and a good entry point if the aged sashimi feels like too much of a commitment upfront.

For drinks, the sake list is extensive and the staff actually know it. Don't just grab whatever's cheapest — ask for a recommendation. That's part of why you're here.

Atmosphere & Vibe

Intimate to the point of slightly cramped. If you're used to big, well-lit Korean BBQ spots or noisy Hongdae bars, this is a different register entirely. It's a place for a long conversation with one or two people, not a group outing. The vibe is calm, a little theatrical with the lighting, and genuinely feels like something you'd find in a back alley in Tokyo. That's a compliment.

Not the right place for four or more people — the space just doesn't support it.

Practical Info

• Address: 서울특별시 송파구 송파동 56-6 / 56-6 Songpa-dong, Songpa District, Seoul
• Google Maps: Open in Maps
• Nearest subway: Jamsil Station — 13-minute walk
• Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 6:00 PM–2:00 AM | Closed Monday
• Price range: Approx. 50,000–70,000 KRW per person with drinks
• Spice level: Mild
• Vegetarian: No
• Halal-friendly: No (alcohol-centric, seafood-focused)
• Reservations: Strongly recommended — book via Naver or Catch Table
• Good for groups: Better suited for 2 people

Closing Tip

One thing worth knowing: the operating hours floating around online are inconsistent, so check their Naver page or call ahead before making the walk from Jamsil. Also — no parking nearby, so just take the subway.

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