Yeonnam Bar Bulcheol (불철): Glenmorangie Signet and Sake

While visiting Yeonnam-dong, I found a place that serves Glenmorangie Signet, one of my favorite whiskies, so I went right away. The sign feels like an izakaya, but the food sits somewhere between Japanese and Western styles. It was a good bar for enjoying simple snacks with a highball or whisky.

Bulcheol is located in an alley in Yeonnam-dong, so it was nice to find while looking around the neighborhood. Hours: 17:00–02:00 There are not many seats inside, so there can be a wait during peak times. Remote waiting through Catch Table is available.

There are table seats like this. The atmosphere is cozy and really nice. I think there was one four-person table, and maybe around two to four two-person tables. I visited as a pair and planned to eat lightly, so we sat at the bar seats in the middle.

The menu was so cute. It had a very Japanese feel, and the drawings looked almost exactly like the actual food, so even the illustrations looked delicious.

Handmade cheese tsukune Napolitan Dassai Blue Glenmorangie Signet

We visited after dinner, so we were already a little full. Since the food prices seemed on the affordable side, I expected the portions to be small, so each of us chose both food and alcohol. My friend picked a Western-style dish with sake, while I chose a Japanese-style dish with whisky. Somehow we ended up ordering in this funny mix.

The bar seat where I sat was a U-shaped counter, with the owner working inside the counter area. Since we were the only ones at the bar table, the owner explained the drinks in detail and took good care of us, which I appreciated.

My favorite Signet. They poured one properly measured glass for me.

I have paid 50,000 won for a glass of Signet somewhere else before, so the price here really surprised me. I wanted to have two glasses, but I was starting to feel tipsy, so I held back.

Next was Dassai Blue 50. This is how they serve it by the glass. The key point is that they pour it until it almost overflows.

It was my first time trying Dassai Blue, and the aroma was nice and the taste was clean. Even my friend, who does not usually enjoy alcohol, kept saying this sake was good and continued drinking it. It was recommended by the owner, and it was a complete success.

There were many other kinds of alcohol too, so if you like whisky, sake, or highballs, this is a place worth trying.

The Napolitan we ordered first came out. They also served Parmesan cheese powder with it. I broke the egg yolk, sprinkled on the cheese powder, mixed everything well, and ate it. It had been a while since I had Napolitan, and it was really delicious.

This was the handmade tsukune, and it had cheese inside. I like tsukune, so I usually try it when I see it at an izakaya. This one had plenty of cheese, and maybe because it was handmade, it felt thicker than versions I have had elsewhere. They recommended cutting it while warm and eating it right away, because it tastes best when the cheese is melting.

The drinks were good, but the snacks were truly delicious. Because the portions come out a little at a time, it is good for ordering several items and trying a variety. The value was good too. For someone like me, who has a small appetite but likes tasting different dishes, it was exactly the right kind of place. There were many other snacks I had considered ordering, so I want to try them on my next visit.

After drinking by the glass for a while, it got a little difficult, so I asked for ice. The owner thoughtfully brought out a large ice cube. The space is cozy and quiet, and it feels perfect for a date. I wanted to keep it to myself, but it was too good not to post about.