Yunjudang (윤주당) is a small traditional liquor pub in Haebangchon, Seoul, run by Chef Yun Na-ra, better known as Brewmaster Yun (술 빚는 윤주모) from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars Season 2. She brews her own Korean rice liquor and pairs it with home-style Korean dishes, and since the show it has become one of the hardest tables to book in the city. Here is what we ate, what it cost, and how the booking system works.
This review is adapted from a visit by Revitguide reviewer 호미식 (Homisik), who rated it 4 out of 5. Read the original Korean review on Revitguide.
Yunjudang at a Glance
| Name | Yunjudang (해방촌 윤주당) |
| Chef | Yun Na-ra, “Brewmaster Yun” (Culinary Class Wars Season 2, final 5th place) |
| Address | 1F, 81-1 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 신흥로 81-1 1층) |
| Getting there | Uphill in Haebangchon. From Hangangjin Station Exit 2, bus 02 to Haebangchon Five-way Intersection, or bus 402/405 to Namsan Library. A taxi is easiest. |
| Hours | Two seatings, 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm, two hours each. Open only a few days a week; CatchTable lists weekdays as closed “subject to change”. |
| Price | “Jumo’s Hansang” course ₩85,000, plus a required bottle of traditional liquor (₩35,000 to ₩80,000) |
| Booking | CatchTable only. Tables for 2 or 4. The next month opens on a set date each month (for example, December opened on 15 November at 7 pm). |
| Good to know | No corkage, no kids, no parking at the door |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
Who Is Brewmaster Yun?
Yun Na-ra opened Yunjudang in 2019 in a small space in Haebangchon, the hillside neighborhood below Namsan. The concept from day one was simple: liquor she brews herself, and Korean food made to go with it. Today she brews at the Yunjudang Studio in Unni-dong, Jongno, where she also runs brewing classes, and serves food at the Haebangchon pub.
On Culinary Class Wars Season 2 (Netflix, December 2025 to January 2026), she was the first Black Spoon chef to survive the opening round. Later, her tteokbokki made with handmade rice cakes topped one of the rounds with 180 points. She finished in fifth place overall, the highest-placed Black Spoon chef after the runner-up. If you liked the show, also read our review of Vesuvio by Napoli Matfia, the Season 1 winner.
Korean Traditional Liquor: A Quick Guide
Yunjudang calls itself a “House of 전통주” (jeontongju, traditional liquor). Its CatchTable page describes the drinks as natural Korean fermented liquor made from just rice, water and nuruk, a traditional fermentation starter. If the terms on the bottle list are new to you, here is the short version:
- Makgeolli / takju (탁주): cloudy, unfiltered rice liquor. Makgeolli is the everyday name; takju simply means “cloudy liquor”. House versions can be stronger than supermarket makgeolli.
- Yakju / cheongju (약주, 청주): the clear liquor taken from the top of the same kind of brew. It tastes cleaner and often more fragrant.
- Soju (소주), traditional style: distilled from a fermented brew. Craft soju is much stronger than the green-bottle kind, and some bottles reach 40% or more.
You do not need to know any of this before you go. However, ordering a bottle is required, so it helps to say what you like (sweet or dry, light or strong) and let the staff recommend one.
My Visit to Yunjudang
Brewmaster Yun made the Top 5 of Culinary Class Wars Season 2, and this is her restaurant. It has many closed days and few seats, so it is very hard to book, but I was lucky enough to visit as an invited guest.
Her dishes made a big impact on the show, so my expectations were high. The food lived up to them. If you have a Korean palate, could you possibly dislike Yunjudang? At the same time, I thought it would be a great place for visitors to Korea to get a real taste of Korean flavors.
The tteokbokki was a work of art
The tteokbokki in particular was art. I don’t usually like tteokbokki very much, but this made me forget that. The sauce base was on the sweet side. Above all, the texture of the rice cakes was the kick: chewy but not too much, with a great balance as you bite into them with the sauce.
Cheese potato pancake, dipped in the sauce
The potato pancake loaded with cheese was also delicious. The staff told us it is good dipped in the tteokbokki sauce too. I will leave that taste to your imagination.
Traditional liquor pairing for beginners
As the name suggests, the traditional liquor pairing at Yunjudang was impressive too. It made the food taste even more special. Even if you don’t know much about traditional liquor, you can get recommendations that match your taste. So I think it is a fun restaurant for beginners as well.
The one downside: a small, loud room
My one disappointment was the interior. When you arrive, the outside of the building has a strange charm. With its Chinese characters and unusual patterns, it feels like a dreamy, mysterious space. Once you step inside, though, that sense of mystery fades a little.
The room is on the small side, and that day the other guests had very strong voices. At times it was so loud that it was hard to hold a conversation. If you want a quiet talk over dinner, keep in mind that the atmosphere can change a lot depending on who is in the same seating.
Price and Booking Tips for Yunjudang
- Budget: the “Jumo’s Hansang” course is ₩85,000 on CatchTable (menu last updated April 2026), and a bottle of liquor is required on top (₩35,000 to ₩80,000). I spent ₩107,500 on this visit, including drinks.
- Booking day: reservations for the following month open on CatchTable on one date each month, and they usually go within minutes. Turn on the CatchTable alert and save your payment details in advance.
- Party size: only tables for 2 or 4, and you cannot change the number of guests after booking.
- Rules: no outside alcohol at all (no corkage), and it is a no-kids zone.
- Parking: none at the door. CatchTable suggests the small Yongsan-dong 2-ga community center lot or the Namsan Library lot.
- Contact: the phone is hard to reach, so the restaurant asks for questions by email (hbcyunjudang@naver.com).
Verdict: Is Yunjudang Worth It?
Yes, if you can get a table. The food is familiar Korean comfort food, but it tastes special, and the tteokbokki alone made the visit for me. The liquor pairing is easy to enjoy even for beginners. The small, noisy room is the main thing to accept. My rating: 4 out of 5.
For more Seoul ideas, see our guide to the best Korean restaurants in Seoul, our Itaewon restaurant guide (Itaewon is just down the hill), and Doori for a more formal Korean tasting menu in Yongsan.
FAQ
Who runs Yunjudang?
Chef Yun Na-ra, known as Brewmaster Yun (술 빚는 윤주모) on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars Season 2, where she finished fifth. She opened Yunjudang in Haebangchon in 2019.
How do I book Yunjudang?
Through CatchTable only. The next month’s dates open on a set day each month, announced on CatchTable, and they sell out fast. Tables are for 2 or 4 people.
How much does Yunjudang cost?
The “Jumo’s Hansang” course is listed at ₩85,000, and you must also order a bottle of traditional liquor, from ₩35,000 to ₩80,000. Expect roughly ₩100,000 or more per person with drinks.
Can I go to Yunjudang if I don’t drink?
Ordering alcohol is required, so it is not a good fit for a group where nobody drinks. Check with the restaurant by email before booking if this matters to you.
Where is Yunjudang?
At 81-1 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, in Haebangchon on the slope below Namsan. It is uphill, so a taxi or a bus to Haebangchon Five-way Intersection is easiest.
We checked prices and hours in November 2026, and they can change. Check Naver Map before you go.