I recently visited Negi Dining Lounge for a dinner outing in Gangnam.
It’s conveniently located near Sinsa Station, Exit 8, making it easy to access. The restaurant is on the 4th floor of a building, and there’s an elevator available, so no worries about climbing stairs!
For those driving, valet parking is available.
We had a 6 PM bar seat reservation, which allowed us to watch the chefs prepare dishes up close. While this was interesting, the atmosphere at the bar was quite busy and lively. If you're looking for a quiet, intimate setting, I’d recommend choosing a table seat instead.
๐ฝ️ Menu & Taste Review
⭐ 1. Truffle + Jamรณn + Ajitsuke Tamago (24,000 KRW)
The first dish was already a big hit!
A perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg (Ajitsuke Tamago) topped with Jamรณn and fresh truffle—as soon as I took a bite, the rich aroma of truffle filled my mouth.
It was a fantastic appetizer, but I wished there was more because it was so delicious! A must-try menu item at Negi.
⭐ 2. Kuro Tama Negi (14,000 KRW)
One of Negi’s signature dishes—and an absolute must-order!
This dish features a whole roasted onion, topped with miso cream sauce and crispy fried green onions, served with a side of baguette.
The onion was incredibly tender, completely free of any spiciness, and had a delightful umami taste.
It was a little tricky to eat neatly since you have to cut the onion yourself, so I wouldn’t recommend it for a first date or an important business dinner. But flavor-wise? 10/10!
⭐ 3. Sashimi Moriawase (2 People – 65,000 KRW)
If you love sashimi, this is a must-order.
The platter included flounder, sea bream, eel, scallops, mackerel, fatty tuna, abalone, sweet shrimp, bonito, and more.
Each piece was carefully aged, giving it an incredibly soft and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Although the price is a bit high, the quality and freshness make it absolutely worth it.
⭐ 4. Korean Beef Brisket Sukiyaki (38,000 KRW)
I wasn’t expecting much, but this dish completely exceeded my expectations!
Unlike traditional sukiyaki, where you cook the ingredients yourself, Negi serves it fully prepared—so you can just enjoy it without any hassle.
The brisket and green onions were especially flavorful, and instead of a raw egg, they served a lightly poached egg, which was a nice twist.
You can also add pasta noodles at the end, but unfortunately, we were too full to try it this time. ๐ญ
⭐ 5. Soft-Shell Crab Futomaki (Half Portion Available)
This dish isn’t heavily advertised on the menu, but the staff mentioned that a half portion was available, so we decided to go for it.
The soft-shell crab added a delicious nuttiness, and the sashimi was incredibly fresh—not fishy at all!
⭐ 6. Kinoko Torinabe (Chicken & Mushroom Hot Pot)
We wanted something warm and comforting, and this hot pot was the perfect choice.
The broth was rich and flavorful, with tender chicken and a variety of mushrooms that complemented each other well.
A great choice, especially on a cold day!
⭐ 7. Amadai Uroko Yuzu Yaki (Crispy Scale Red Tilefish with Yuzu)
A light, refreshing dish to finish the meal.
At first, I thought the crispy fish scales might taste too fishy, but they turned out to be super crunchy and delicious!
The yuzu aroma added a fresh citrusy touch, making the dish even more enjoyable.
๐ถ Drinks & Alcohol Selection
Negi Dining Lounge offers a wide variety of sake, highballs, wine, and cocktails.
However, the first two sake bottles we ordered were out of stock, which was a bit disappointing. ๐ญ
Thankfully, the staff recommended Imani Junmai Ginjo Asahi, which had a rich umami flavor and paired perfectly with the meal.
For highballs, we tried the Negi Highball (sweet taste) and Sui Gin Highball (more crisp and dry). Personally, I preferred the Sui Gin Highball.
๐ Exterior & Interior Atmosphere
Negi Dining Lounge is tucked away in a small alley in Garosugil, but the large "Negi" sign makes it easy to spot.
Although it occupies the 4th floor of a building, it’s not the entire building—so don’t be confused!
The interior is quite spacious, featuring both table seats and bar seats.
One unique touch was the decorative onions and green onions around the space, fitting the restaurant’s theme.
Since we sat at the bar, we could watch the chefs cook in real time, which made the experience more entertaining.
However, the restaurant is not particularly quiet, so if you’re looking for a calm setting, keep that in mind!
๐ฐ Pricing & Final Thoughts
✔️ Price Range:
- Sashimi Moriawase (2 people): 68,000 KRW
- Truffle + Jamรณn + Ajitsuke Tamago: 24,000 KRW
- Kuro Tama Negi: 14,000 KRW
- Korean Beef Brisket Sukiyaki: 38,000 KRW
- Soft-Shell Crab Futomaki (Half Order Available)
- Amadai Uroko Yuzu Yaki: ~30,000 KRW
- Sake (including Dokdo Soju): Total meal cost: ~300,000 KRW for 2 people
✔️ Overall Verdict:
✅ A stylish izakaya-style dining spot in Sinsa, great for premium Japanese cuisine.
✅ Fantastic aged sashimi and signature dishes.
✅ Bar seats offer a front-row view of the chefs in action.
✅ Must-try dishes: Truffle + Jamรณn + Ajitsuke Tamago, Kuro Tama Negi, Sashimi Moriawase, and Sukiyaki!
✅ Wide selection of sake and highballs, but popular options may sell out quickly.
✅ On the pricier side, but the quality justifies the cost.
✔️ Would I visit again? ✅ ✅ ✅
Absolutely! The Kuro Tama Negi alone makes it worth another visit! Next time, I’ll try the omakase menu for a full experience. ๐ฃ
๐ Location: Near Sinsa Station, Exit 8
๐ Parking: Valet available
๐ Reservation: Highly recommended (especially for bar seats)
That’s my honest review of Negi Dining Lounge! ๐ If you’re looking for a high-quality izakaya-style dining spot in Gangnam, this is a fantastic choice!
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