Gwanghwamun sushi restaurant with free corkage on booking: Ilpum
In short
Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a sushi and kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) restaurant on the B2 level of Lemeilleur Jongno Town, about 3 minutes from Jonggak and Gwanghwamun stations in Jongno, Seoul. A Naver reservation secured a counter seat, one free bottle of corkage and 2 hours of free parking, and the meal covered the Premium Kaisendon (endorsed by comedian Lee Young-ja) and the Today's Sushi set, served with chawanmushi, baek-kimchi (white kimchi), soup, cold udon and a mango dessert. The rice at Ilpum Gwanghwamun was sticky and savory and the fish was cut thick, making the reservation perks feel like a bonus on an already solid meal.
Good to know
- Location
- B2, Unit 223, 19 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Lemeilleur Jongno Town), about a 3-minute walk from Jonggak Station Exit 1 or Gwanghwamun Station Exit 4
- Hours
- Mon–Sat lunch 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:00), dinner 17:30–21:30 (last order 20:00)
- Break time
- 15:00–17:30
- Closed
- Every Sunday
- Parking
- Free for up to 2 hours
- Corkage
- One bottle free if you request the corkage event when booking on Naver
- Ordered
- Premium Kaisendon (endorsed by Lee Young-ja), Today's Sushi set
- Seating
- Counter seats suitable for solo dining; prepayment available
- Other
- Takeout and delivery at lunch and dinner; Naver review event running
as written by the visitor on Aug 20, 2026
Gwanghwamun sushi and kaisendon spot, Ilpum Gwanghwamun, a Japanese restaurant in Lemeilleur Jongno Town ♪
Hi :) it's boniboni, taking it easy as always~♪ 🌿 Ilpum is the restaurant made famous by Lee Young-ja and Hwang Jung-min after being featured on <Delivery Is Sudda>!
I had such a good meal at the Yeouido branch last time, so this time I went to Ilpum Gwanghwamun for sushi and kaisendon (seafood rice bowl).
Before you go to Ilpum Gwanghwamun: booking, parking and free corkage
Ilpum Gwanghwamun offers up to 2 hours of free parking, and if you request the free corkage event when booking on Naver, you can bring one bottle free. Waiting is possible, so a reservation makes the visit smoother.
- 🅿️ Parking available at Ilpum Gwanghwamun — free parking for up to 2 hours.
- ✔️ Corkage available at Ilpum Gwanghwamun — request the free corkage event with a Naver reservation for 1 free bottle.
- ✔️ How to reserve - Naver Place — use various coupons when booking on Naver Place (birthday nigiri sushi 2pc, free corkage coupon, pregnancy support choice sushi 2pc, etc.)
- ✔️ Waiting is possible, so reserving ahead makes the visit easier.
- ✔️ Lunch and dinner takeout/delivery available
- ✔️ Solo dining is fine too, prepayment available
- ✔️ Naver review event
Where Ilpum Gwanghwamun is and when it opens
📍 Location / Directions B2 223, Jongno 19, Jongno-gu, Seoul (24 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul) About 3 min walk from Jonggak Station Exit 1 About 3 min walk from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 4 Near Kyobo Book Centre Close to Gwanghwamun D Tower, the U.S. Embassy in Korea, KT Gwanghwamun Building/KT Gwanghwamun Branch, and Lina Tower. ⏰ Hours (Last order) Monday–Saturday Lunch 11:00–15:00 (14:00) ✅Break time 15:00–17:30 Dinner 17:30–21:30 (20:00) Closed every Sunday
Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a Japanese restaurant located right next to the escalator on B2 of Lemeilleur Jongno Town.
Inside Ilpum Gwanghwamun: the space and counter seats for solo diners
The restaurant was lively and full of all kinds of guests — couples on dates, friends, families, and coworkers. From around 6:30pm, people who came without reservations started to form a wait.
There were seats suited for solo dining, and on one side you could see a drinks fridge and autographs from celebrities including Lee Young-ja.
I'd booked ahead so I sat at the counter, where I could watch the chefs prepare food with skilled hands.
Ilpum Gwanghwamun menu and prices
✅ What I ordered Premium Kaisendon - Lee Young-ja verified Today's Sushi Set
Basic vs Premium Kaisendon at Ilpum: what's the difference?
The basic and premium kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) differ in the sashimi and seafood on top. The Premium Kaisendon has a richer lineup including bluefin tuna, abalone, salmon roe, sea urchin (uni), and monkfish liver (ankimo).
I love a rich, hearty bowl haha, so I ordered the Premium Kaisendon, the one labeled 'Lee Young-ja verified' on the menu~
💡 Shall we dig in together? 🤗
Premium Kaisendon, the bowl Lee Young-ja endorsed
The kaisendon had a generous amount of rice, which I loved, and it was fun picking out and eating each different piece of seafood one by one~
I love sushi rice, and Ilpum Gwanghwamun's rice was sticky and savory, pairing really well with the sashimi and seafood.
The abalone was chewy and satisfying, the seared sashimi was full of smoky flavor, and I enjoyed the gamtae (seasoned seaweed) and shrimp too.
Today's Sushi set at Ilpum Gwanghwamun
The sashimi on top of the sushi looked fresh too, right? Like the kaisendon, the rice was sticky and savory — the portion was just right, the sashimi was thick-cut, and the tamago (egg) was soft.
The futomaki (thick sushi roll) had crunchy vegetables, so eating it last left my mouth feeling refreshed.
What comes with it: chawanmushi, baek-kimchi, soup and cold udon
Soft chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), baek-kimchi (white kimchi), soup, and cold udon came alongside. The baek-kimchi made the sushi and kaisendon feel even more refreshing.
The karaage (Japanese fried chicken) in the cold udon was tender and the noodles were nice and chewy.
Dessert: a refreshing mango finish
📍 A little note from [boniboni] — fresh sashimi, seafood, and sticky rice make Ilpum Gwanghwamun a standout sushi and kaisendon spot near Jonggak and Gwanghwamun!🎵◠‿◠ I tried a great variety of combinations.
✨ This post is a subjective record based on my own visit.
Where it is
B2 223, Jongno 19, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 종로구 종로 19 지하2층 223호 일품 광화문점
