KMK: Namsan Chemistry

Namsan Chemistry should be on your radar. If you’ve been to the HBC/Gyeonridan area at all recently then you know full well that something of a renaissance currently grips the two neighborhoods. New shops, coffee houses, restaurants and yes, of course, bars seem to pop up every few weeks to try and muscle out a spot among the crowded field. If a place wants to survive in this cut throat environment where dreams of owning your own business can end up choked to death by the over saturation of competition that 24 hour development cycle spews out then it’s gotta have a something special. Something that stands out. That shines.

Namsan Chemistry has it.

Outside at night you first notice the sprawling front of the bar oozing neon greens and oranges while the signs for their Tennessee Ole’ Smokey Moonshine and Oyster bash lures you inside. Once you do cross the threshold you’ll be stepping into a spacious and minimally appointed bar that does away with any frills for the sake of a brick, chrome and steel utilitarian palette. But you won’t be there for the decor. It’s about the booze. To that end Namsan Chemistry boasts dozens of local craft beers. Not for me, though. I went for the liquor. Everything from Bloody Mary’s to Watermelon infused Ole Smokeys. I did the Sweet Tea & Grapefruit, which unsurprisingly, proved to be a bit too sweet, while my friend downed a Broker’s G&T that I preferred much more. I also appreciated that the bartender actually took the time to explain their ongoing event as well as the new moonshine booze they were concocting. He even let us sample the Ole Smokey Cherry.

I wanted to partake of the oysters, but after being burned a few years ago by tainted fresh oysters I have yet to go back to that particular well. One day, perhaps.

You can find Namsan Chemistry at 225-5 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Take exit 2 from Noksapyeong station. Walk until you reach the underground pass, cross, and heat up the left stairs. Follow the road, going up the hill into Gyeongridan. You’ll soon come to Namsan Chemistry on your right.