Tuna course in a private room at Honma Tuna, Gangnam Seoul

I decided to have a drink with an acquaintance. We both prefer raw fish to meat, so choosing a menu was easy for us. It had been a while since we had seen each other, and we had lots of catching up to do, so I wanted to enjoy a good time talking in a private space.

Honma Tuna Location and Hours

Honma Tuna (혼마참치) is a tuna specialty restaurant in Gaepo-dong, a popular local spot set between Yangjaecheon Stream, Yangjae Citizen's Forest Station, and the Gaepo-dong residential area.

Private Rooms for Quiet Conversation

Honma Tuna has the neat, calm atmosphere of a classic Japanese restaurant, with table seating and private rooms for a more private meal. It is not noisy, so it is easy to talk, and the layout works well for company dinners or family meals.

The cozy floor-seating room feels like one you might find at a small Korean set-menu restaurant or an upscale Japanese restaurant. It is a private space where you can take your time over a tuna course and conversation, and it is a good size for family meals, dates, and small gatherings.

Sashimi Course Special

The menu is served as courses, and you can order directly from the owner.

The Sashimi Course Special I Chose

Warm soup came first. Its soft, creamy texture was not overpowering and gently woke up my appetite. It warmed my stomach before the cold tuna sashimi.

Fresh lettuce, red cabbage, and other vegetables were topped generously with tuna and gim garu (seaweed flakes), alongside the nutty richness of fluffy potato salad and the crisp freshness of tuna salad.

Moist, Thick-Cut Tuna

At last, the tuna arrived. The flesh looked moist with a lively sheen, vivid color, and almost no discoloration, so it was clearly fresh. The slices were nicely thick, letting me enjoy both the chew and the flavor.

Several cuts came together with almost no fishiness, spreading a nutty, buttery aroma and deep umami through my mouth. The progression of flavors was distinct. It was very fresh.

Thick tuna sat on softly loosening shari (seasoned sushi rice); the moment I put it in my mouth, its nutty flavor and umami spread through. It was luxurious tuna sushi.

Sweet corn, nutty butter, and mild cheese came together to add sweetness, making the next bite of tuna taste even better.

Generous Side Dishes and a Finish

Braised tuna, fried shrimp, grilled abalone, and grilled shrimp followed. The braised dish was delicious, with a deep flavor somewhere between beef jangjorim (soy-braised beef) and braised fish.

After the tuna sashimi, whose flesh was springy and moist without being overly oily, the fried shrimp gave a welcome textural change. The abalone was chewy yet tender, and the more I chewed, the more its sea aroma and umami came through.

The udon at the end cleared my palate. Its pleasantly spicy kick cut through the richness.

• You can enjoy fresh bluefin tuna in a range of cuts.
• Side dishes are generous, including braised tuna, grilled abalone, and fried shrimp.
• Potato salad and tuna salad make for a clean start.
• The chew of the abalone and crunch of the fried shrimp add textural fun.
• The braised tuna has outstanding sweet-salty umami.
• Private rooms make it suited to quiet meals and gatherings.
• The course is substantial, from tuna sashimi through the final meal.
• It works well for company dinners, family gatherings, dates, or entertaining guests.

This is a satisfying, classic tuna-course restaurant where you can enjoy premium bluefin tuna and generous side dishes in a calm private room.