Kimchi Hophouse

You'll smell the fermented cabbage and hear the sizzle of bulgogi before you even spot the neon signs on Parnell Street. This place gets Korean comfort food right without any of that watered-down nonsense you find elsewhere in town. The kimchi is proper tangy, the Korean fried chicken has that perfect crispy-sticky balance, and they've somehow made the whole Korean-meets-Irish pub concept work without feeling forced. The craft beer selection changes regularly, and they know how to pair a decent IPA with spicy tteokbokki. It's always buzzy in here – a mix of Korean students, north inner city locals, and foodie types who've made the trek from Rathmines. The Sunday opening until 11pm is a godsend when everywhere decent is either closed or serving sad roast dinners.