Gyopo Makgeolli

What is Gyopo Makgeolli? Set inside a former laundromat at 1456 Dundas Street West in Little Portugal, Gyopo Makgeolli Brewery is Toronto’s first dedicated craft makgeolli taproom and pocha. Conceived by brothers Hansang and Juwon Lee alongside partners Hyunchan Jo and brewer Dohyon Kim—the team behind Gonzo Izakaya and Kensei Bar—the concept celebrates the drinks and street food of the Korean diaspora. The space pairs raw energy with open-kitchen flames, graffiti-scrawled walls, glowing neon accents, and interactive counter seating facing house taps.

Gyopo Makgeolli Menu & What to Order The kitchen structures its shareable anju around Korea’s foundational trio of jangs—ganjang, doenjang, and gochujang—serving street staples designed to pair with freshly brewed rice wine. Crowd favourites include the charcoal-grilled LA galbi, savoury pork maekjeok, fiery dakgalbi, and fresh oysters accented by Tabasco ponzu and horseradish aïoli. Pair the spread with a pour of house-brewed draft makgeolli, spanning aromatic perilla, tart omija, and crisp, dry-hopped rice varieties.

Know Before You Go The room fills up quickly with Dundas West night-crawlers past 7:00 p.m., so securing a table in advance via their website is recommended for groups, though bar counter seating accommodates walk-ins. Street parking along Dundas is limited, making the 505 Dundas streetcar to Gladstone Avenue the most convenient transit option. Service runs Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5:00 p.m., with doors closed on Mondays.