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SeoulVisited December 2021 Views –

Robata Libra Counter, Cheongdam: Whole Fish Grilled over a Charcoal Hearth in Seoul

A whole grilled fish with its head on, lying on a bamboo leaf on a gray-blue crackled plate, with a lemon wedge, two cherry tomatoes and a brown topping on a white mound at the right end.
A whole grilled fish with its head on, lying on a bamboo leaf on a gray-blue crackled plate with a lemon wedge and two cherry tomatoes, December 2021.
How to order Address & map

Robata Libra Counter (로바타라이브라카운터) is a Japanese-style izakaya in Cheongdam, Seoul, built around a charcoal hearth where cooks grill fish in front of the counter. A February 2026 Tistory review names geumtae wonsigui (금태 원시구이, a fish grilled over strong charcoal) as its signature dish, and Catchtable's English-language Gangnam guide tells readers to order grilled golden tilefish belly.

The charcoal hearth at Robata Libra Counter

Robata (炉端, 로바타) is a Japanese style of cooking at a hearth. In my December 2021 photo, a whole fish on a skewer stands in an ash-like bed beside a glowing cylinder, with a steel box on the right and a chalkboard menu on the wall. A November 2024 Tistory review describes a thick iron cylinder holding binchotan charcoal in the middle of a bed of sand. According to a January 2023 Tistory review, wonsigui (원시구이, primitive grilling) is described as a primeval method that uses the far-infrared heat of charcoal.

A hearth in December 2021: a whole fish on a skewer stands in an ash-like bed beside a glowing cylinder, with a steel box on the right and a chalkboard menu on the dark brick wall.
The hearth in December 2021: a skewered whole fish beside a glowing cylinder in an ash-like bed, a steel box and a chalkboard menu.

Wonsigui and scallops at Robata Libra Counter

The cover photo shows a whole grilled fish with its head on, but I cannot tell the species from the photo. The January 2023 review lists the large geumtae wonsigui at ₩60,000 and says it arrived about twenty minutes after ordering. The November 2024 review says Robata Libra Counter prices geumtae by size.

My photo of a ridged shell shows pieces that look like scallop in a golden sauce under chopped green onion. The January 2023 and February 2026 reviews both describe daewang garibi beoteogui (대왕 가리비 버터구이), butter-grilled giant scallops, and say the kitchen makes risotto afterwards.

A ridged shell holding pieces that look like scallop in a golden sauce under chopped green onion, with a thin skewer across a rust-red plate on a dark speckled counter.
A ridged shell with pieces that look like scallop in a golden sauce, a thin skewer across a rust-red plate, December 2021.
A cut roll showing layers that look like tuna, avocado and egg, topped with orange roe-like beads and an upright shrimp tail, on a dark speckled slab.
A cut roll with layers that look like tuna, avocado and egg, topped with orange roe-like beads and an upright shrimp tail, December 2021.
Three pieces of sashimi that look like white fish, tuna and scallop, with wasabi and bamboo leaf, on a floral plate with blue wave patterns.
Three pieces of sashimi that look like white fish, tuna and scallop, on a floral plate with blue wave patterns, December 2021.

Prices and rules at Robata Libra Counter

Robata Libra Counter's chalkboard in December 2021 listed daebangeo sashimi (대방어 사시미, large yellowtail) at ₩24,000 and octopus with cauliflower (문어와 컬리플라워) at ₩29,000. A February 2026 review puts Robata Libra Counter's small dishes at about ₩10,000–60,000 and a one-person course in the ₩100,000 range. The January 2023 reviewer says Robata Libra Counter required each guest to order a ₩25,000 drink, with ₩50,000 corkage for wine or sake. Catchtable's guide says preschoolers are not permitted. The February 2026 review says seating is limited to about two and a half hours, and the January 2023 review warns that Libra's counter and room branches are in different places.

How to order

Show this to the staff

금태 원시구이 하나 주세요.

geumtae wonsigui hana juseyo

One geumtae wonsigui, please.

금태는 사이즈별로 얼마예요?

geumtaeneun saijeubyeollo eolmayeyo?

How much is the geumtae by size?

콜키지 가능해요?

kolkiji ganeunghaeyo?

Is corkage allowed?

A photo in the November 2024 review shows a sign reading ROBATA LIBRA on a dark stone wall.

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