Do you know that a Korean gimbap restaurant
introduced in a book written by a Korean gimbap influencer
is located in Itaewon?
What’s more, it’s not a casual snack shop, but a bar.
For travelers who want to try K-food gimbap
while also enjoying the indoor pocha vibe,
I’ll share information about Bada Phocha Dolsum,
a Korean gimbap spot that serves alcohol.
About Korean Gimbap(Kimbap)
These days, many foreigners enjoy Korean ramen,
kimchi stew, tteokbokki, and barbecue
just as much as Koreans do.
Among this K-food trend, gimbap is also gaining popularity.
At Trader Joe’s, Korean frozen gimbap even sells out,
and many TikTok creators are getting millions of views
with videos of themselves enjoying Korean gimbap
in their own recipes.
Depending on what goes inside, there are hundreds of variations of gimbap.
But no matter what, the best way to eat gimbap
is with cup ramen. Add soju to that,
and it becomes the ultimate Korean comfort pairing.
However, since it takes quite a bit of effort to make,
it’s not commonly sold unless it’s a specialty gimbap shop
or restaurant.
So let me introduce a Busan-style bar where you can enjoy gimbap and ramen together with a full sashimi set.
Korean gimbap restaurant –
Bada Phocha Dolsum info
✔️ Address: 118-71 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
✔️ Hours: 17:00–01:00
✔️ Directions: 3-minute walk from Itaewon Station
(Line 6), Exit 1
✔️ Reservation: Catchtable, phone, Naver
✔️ Features: Indoor restroom, English ordering available,
no luggage storage
Tips for foreigners visiting
Bada Phocha Dolsum in Itaewon
Bada Phocha Dolsum can be reserved via Catchtable,
Naver, or by phone.
When booking through Catchtable, you can choose between terrace or indoor seating.
The terrace isn’t exactly an open street setup,
but it gives you a nice Itaewon alley vibe.
There are only two terrace tables, so if you want one,
you should book early.
Although it’s within a 3-minute walk from Itaewon Station,
the road is slightly uphill, so it’s not ideal
if you’re carrying a suitcase.
If you have luggage, it’s better to use the lockers
at Itaewon Station.
If you’re coming by bus, there’s also a large drugstore
called “Optima Wellness Museum” nearby
with lockers you can use
Bada Phocha Dolsum Menu
They offer a variety of seafood dishes
like grilled king prawns, spicy sashimi salad from Shinan,
and Gangwon-style steamed skate,
which are usually found at specialized seafood restaurants.
If you prefer lighter flavors, boiled whole octopus
and whelk are also good choices without any fishy taste.
There are also various side dishes
like minari pancake and fried shrimp.
But what made this place famous is the
“Dolsum assorted table,”
served in a Tongyeong-style daechi setup.
It includes sashimi as the main dish,
gimbap that pairs well with it, cup ramen,
and even corn cheese, all served together
as a generous spread.
You can choose between octopus or sashimi as the main.
What I ordered
I found this place through a gimbap influencer’s book,
and I liked the combination of soju and gimbap so much that I’ve visited several times.
Whenever I go, I always order something that includes gimbap.
1. Dolsum assorted aged sashimi set (59,000 KRW)
This is Bada Phocha Dolsum’s signature menu,
featuring aged sashimi, gimbap, mulhoe, cup ramen,
and corn cheese.
To be honest, the sashimi quality isn’t outstanding,
but it’s highly recommended if you want to try
a variety of dishes.
The combination of gimbap and aged sashimi works well,
and when you want something warm,
it’s also great with cup ramen
2. Ankimo gimbap (16,000 KRW)
This dish is topped generously with ankimo (monkfish liver), known for its rich, nutty flavor.
Since ankimo is expensive and considered a delicacy,
having it on top of plain gimbap feels like
a unique combination.
However, if you are sensitive to strong flavors,
I recommend the basic gimbap.
3. octopus & Dolsum assorted aged sashimi set (39,000 + 59,000 KRW)
When I visited in winter, they had fresh octopus available,
so I ordered it.
Well-boiled octopus is good for liver health
and rich in protein,
which helps reduce hangovers the next day.
Eating it with kimchi and gimbap made me
feel like I was in Tongyeong rather than Seoul
Bada Phocha Dolsum atmosphere
Bada Phocha Dolsum in Itaewon has the exact vibe
of a Korean indoor pocha.
There are the typical round tables often seen
in Korean dramas, and practical chairs
where you can store your clothes and bags.
Bottle caps left by customers are displayed on the walls
like decorations, and at night, small string lights
on the ceiling turn on.
It really feels like a seaside bar.
The space isn’t large, but there is terrace seating
and a clean indoor restroom.
Honest review of
Bada Phocha Dolsum
As mentioned earlier, I came here because it was recommended by a gimbap influencer.
To be honest, the gimbap itself isn’t particularly special.
It’s not like Jeonju gimbap, tuna mayo gimbap,
or keto gimbap that you find in specialty shops.
It’s the classic, simple gimbap made by Korean moms
for picnics, with basic vegetables and sesame oil.
It may feel a bit rustic, but the charm of this place
is that you can enjoy it together with a variety of seafood
Who should visit?
If you want to grab a drink before heading to clubs
in Itaewon, I strongly recommend it.
It’s also a good spot if you’re curious
about the Korean indoor pocha atmosphere.
Most indoor pochas focus on dishes cooked over fire
like soups, stews, and grilled items,
but this place stands out by focusing on seafood.
The portions are quite large, so I recommend
visiting with 3–4 people rather than just two.
Nearby Place I recommend
1. After enjoying drinks at Bada Phocha Dolsum,
how about cooling down with naengmyeon the next day?
Check out my review of
<Dong-A Naengmyeon in Itaewon> as well
https://koreaandbeyond.com/dong-a-naengmyeon-itaewon/
2. How about stopping by a trendy roastery café in Samgakji for a coffee before visiting Bada Phocha Dolsum?
Don’t forget to check out my review of
<Always August Roastery>as well.
https://koreaandbeyond.com/samgakji-cafe-yongsan/
3. If you’re looking for another pocha-style drinking spot
in Itaewon, check out my review of Process Itaewon,
a local favorite featuring outdoor barbecue seating and a classic Korean pocha atmosphere.
<Itaewon Silbi Disco>
https://koreaandbeyond.com/itaewon-outdoor-bbq/