Jurak Mullae: Traditional Soju & Korean Anju in Seoul

Want to drink real Korean traditional liquor in Seoul’s coolest industrial-arts neighborhood? In the ironworks alleys of Mullae (문래 창작촌) — where welding shops sit next to galleries and hidden bars — 주락 (Jurak) is a moody 전통주점 (traditional-liquor pub) pouring house and craft Korean spirits alongside seriously good fusion anju. It’s my pick for a night of Korean drinking that feels both authentic and current.

A little context for visitors: Mullae-dong (문래동) is one of Seoul’s most atmospheric neighborhoods — a working ironworks district that artists moved into, so metal workshops, murals, galleries and tiny bars share the same alleys. Jurak fits it perfectly: step inside and you get low light, walls inlaid with 자개 (mother-of-pearl), and shelves lined with Korean craft liquor. It calls itself a place that’s serious about 전통주 (traditional Korean liquor) — and it shows.

Where Is It? (Mullae’s Ironworks-and-Art Village)

Jurak sits in the heart of the Mullae creative village in Yeongdeungpo — a 9-minute walk from Mullae Station (Line 2) Exit 7, threaded among the metal shops and street art. It’s an easy, fun area to wander before or after dinner, and it’s open evenings only (17:00–24:00), so it’s built for a night out rather than a meal on the run.

What Should I Order?

Jurak is an anju place — Korean drinking food designed to go with liquor — so you order a few dishes to share and build a table around a bottle. The food leans Korean-fusion: traditional plates given a modern, slightly Western twist. Start with the bossam, add the yukhoe and the jeon, and let the staff steer your drinks.

The Bossam — the Must-Order Signature

If you order one thing, make it the 보쌈 (bossam) — pictured up top. It’s pork belly slow-boiled until it’s tender and clean-tasting, sliced thick, and served with pickled cabbage, a punchy radish kimchi, ssamjang and fresh green chili. You build little wraps — pork + kimchi + a smear of sauce — and it’s the perfect thing to slow down over between sips of soju. Comforting, generous, and exactly the kind of dish traditional liquor was made for.

Fusion Yukhoe & the Squid-Minari Jeon

The 육회 (yukhoe) is where the kitchen shows off. Korea’s classic seasoned raw beef is plated here Italian-style — piled under a tangle of arugula and a snowfall of grated parmesan, with dots of a savory sauce. The result is cool, silky, and umami-rich, the cheese and pepperiness playing off the sweet-savory beef. It’s a genuinely clever East-meets-West plate.

Then the 오징어 미나리전 (squid & minari jeon) — a big, lacy Korean pancake shot through with 미나리 (water dropwort) and draped with charred squid. The edges fry up crisp and shattery while the center stays tender, and the herbal bite of the minari keeps it light. It’s a classic drinking snack done really well.

What Should I Drink? (Traditional Soju & Makgeolli)

This is the real reason to come. Jurak takes 전통주 (traditional Korean liquor) seriously — pouring traditional distilled soju (a world away from the green-bottle stuff), makgeolli (rice wine), traditional-liquor highballs, and 잔술 (glass pours) so you can taste your way through several. If you’ve only ever had mass-market soju, this is the place to discover how deep, floral and smooth real Korean distilled liquor can be — and the staff will happily match a pour to your bossam or yukhoe. Don’t leave without trying at least one traditional soju and one makgeolli.

English, Cards, Hours & the Catch

Practically, it’s easy for visitors: foreign-language service is available, the staff love recommending liquors, and all major cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted. It’s open daily 17:00–24:00. The one honest caveat — and why the value score is lower — is that it runs pricey for anju: the food is excellent but you’re paying a premium for the setting and the liquor program. Come for the experience, not a bargain.

Exploring more of Seoul? Nearby in Yeongdeungpo, try The Place Italian in Yeongdeungpo; for a lovely Seoul cafe, Gwajabang in Yeonnam; and for a clean, solo-friendly pork soup, Hyemindang in Yongsan.

Is It Worth It? The Verdict

Jurak is one of the nicest ways to spend a night in Mullae. You get a beautiful, low-lit traditional-liquor pub in Seoul’s artiest industrial neighborhood, a deep list of house and craft 전통주, and fusion anju — a must-order bossam, a clever parmesan-arugula yukhoe, and a crisp squid-minari jeon — that all exist to make the drinking better. The food is genuinely excellent; it just runs pricey, which is the only knock. Come hungry and curious, order the bossam, and let the staff pour you real Korean soju and makgeolli. Strong recommendation.