Apgujeong Rodeo Bistro Show, A Different Kind of Izakaya

The place I’m introducing today is Bistro Show, a trendy and unique izakaya in the rising hot spot of Apgujeong Rodeo.

Before visiting, I checked what kind of place it was and why this izakaya was becoming such a talked-about spot in Apgujeong Rodeo, which has been gaining attention again. As I looked through the photos, I thought it would be a great place not only to enjoy visually impressive food with a distinctive feel, but also to visit as a dining bar-like spot for company dinners or dates. After checking the information I found through my search, I found myself hoping the meeting time would come quickly.

As you would expect from an izakaya, the lighting is generally kept dim, so it might feel a little stuffy. But as you can see from the photos, it is not actually that dark, which I liked. If it’s too dark, the atmosphere somehow feels more subdued, and on tired days it can make you feel sleepy.

There were more menu items than I expected, so I had to think about what to order. In situations like that, I decided to actively follow the opinion of the person who suggested coming here and just eat whatever was ordered.

Futomaki

Futomaki is a Japanese seaweed roll made with tuna sashimi. This futomaki has a mysterious charm that makes you want to keep eating once you try it. It was actually my first time seeing such a giant futomaki, and it wasn’t just packed with minced tuna, but also had a satisfying bite, with plenty of ingredients such as shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, and carrot, making it a very enjoyable futomaki.

Shimesaba Bouzushi

This is a bamboo-leaf sushi made with cured mackerel. When eating mackerel sashimi, people say that if it isn’t prepared really well, the fishy smell can make it hard to eat.

Apgujeong Rodeo Bistro Show’s Shimesaba Bouzushi is, in one word, oishii!!

It was seriously so delicious. When I heard that we had ordered cured mackerel bamboo-leaf sushi, I thought, why? But I heard there are people who come here specifically for this, and after trying it, I understood why. Shimesaba Bouzushi is served with seaweed, so it’s also great wrapped in seaweed.

Iwasé Natto was a dish that taught me you can eat natto this way, by mixing it with various ingredients such as bluefin tuna and white fish sashimi, then placing it on bread.

The fish and vegetables were fried, and there was no way it could taste bad. And above all, I really liked how thin the batter was.

Maguro Yamakake is a dish made with soy-sauce-marinated bluefin tuna belly topped with grated yam. The salty flavor of the soy sauce and the mild, nutty taste of the yam went together very well. Avocado was also included here, and I think even people who don’t like the soft texture of avocado could still enjoy it.

I remember it came with sashimi, but I’m so disappointed that I couldn’t take a photo of the sashimi at Apgujeong Rodeo izakaya Bistro Show. From this point on, I think I was probably too focused on eating.

At the distinctive izakaya Bistro Show, you can’t only eat dishes made with fish and sashimi. There are also steak and chicken dishes, but what we ordered was hangjeongsal shoga-yaki. The chewy, fatty juices of the pork jowl paired so well with the teriyaki sauce.

After visiting the even hotter Bistro Show in the already trendy Apgujeong Rodeo area, I think I understand why it’s so popular.

Bistro Show

41 Dosan-daero 51-gil, 2nd floor, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

It is a 5-minute walk from Exit 5 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station.

It is open every day from 17:00 to 24:00, and the last order is at 23:00.

Reservations are available, so if you’re visiting with a group, I also recommend booking in advance.