Gwanghwamun sushi restaurant with pressed mackerel sushi: Ilpum

Uni ikura don (mini) — the creamy sea urchin and popping salmon roe texture is the real draw

A recommended menu item that really shows off Ilpum Gwanghwamun's signature richness — rich, creamy uni with all that ocean fragrance

Hugely generous and full of umami — saba bou sushi (pressed mackerel sushi)

Today I visited Ilpum, a Japanese restaurant favorite in Gwanghwamun. I'm a seafood lover, so my steps were light on the way there haha.

Where is Ilpum Gwanghwamun? Location, hours and parking

Ilpum Gwanghwamun is at 223, B2F, 19 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Go in through the building's main entrance and head down to the basement — it's in a spacious restaurant row down there.

• 📍 223, B2F, 19 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul — Ilpum Gwanghwamun
• ⏰ 11:00-21:30 / break time 15:00-17:30 / closed Sundays
• ⭐️ Takeout and delivery available, reservations available, wheelchair accessible
• 🚗 Free parking for 2 hours

Inside Ilpum Gwanghwamun: counter seats facing the open kitchen

At the entrance of Ilpum Gwanghwamun there are comfortable waiting chairs.

A clean interior that makes the space even nicer

You can watch the chefs at the open kitchen, all wearing aprons, masks, and hats — it makes this Gwanghwamun Japanese restaurant favorite feel even more hygienic and trustworthy.

Every counter seat has its own water dispenser, so you can help yourself right away.

Ilpum Gwanghwamun menu and the receipt review event

Alongside the signature kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) varieties, there's a sushi menu, sashimi & fried items, and a drinks menu too~~

Don't forget to grab 2 free croquettes by joining the receipt review event. The croquettes are crispy and genuinely delicious.

What comes with the set: chawanmushi, baek kimchi, clear soup

The default side dishes: chawanmushi (savory egg custard), baek kimchi (white kimchi), and clear soup!

Chawanmushi is always delicious no matter when you eat it. There's a whole shrimp hiding inside the smooth custard. It's like the soft egg pre-coats your stomach haha.

Uni ikura don (mini) — how much do you actually get?

Uni ikura don, loaded half-and-half with springy, popping ikura (salmon roe) and uni (sea urchin roe)! A salmon roe and sea urchin rice bowl. The mini size is a good portion for most women.

The plating is done with real care, which makes it look even more delicious.

On the right, a generous mound of soft, creamy fresh uni; on the left, a pile of round, plump ikura (salmon roe).

The salmon roe pops and releases a salty burst of umami — an exciting first bite.

Wrapped in the accompanying seaweed sheet, the ocean fragrance and crackly texture of the seaweed pair beautifully.

This is basically... a shortcut to a cool, refreshing ocean escape..❤️

What is saba bou sushi (pressed mackerel sushi)?

Saba bou sushi means saba (mackerel) + bou (stick/pressed bar) — a traditional pressed sushi made by pressing mackerel into a long log shape.

I was surprised right away by how plump and generous it was. Pressed mackerel sushi is firmly packed, so the rice and mackerel stick tightly together, giving it a neat shape and a satisfying firmness.

Look at the size of these neatly cut pieces~

The mackerel is moist and tender, and the seasoned rice grains stay springy and lively — great texture, plus the nutty gamtae (dried laver) adds real depth. A clean yet deep umami flavor that makes this a go-to Gwanghwamun spot for pressed mackerel sushi. There's also shiso leaf, similar to perilla leaf, green and fragrant, which cuts the fishy edge and keeps your palate clean.

Cold udon with karaage, included in the set

In winter, a warm udon with fried squid comes as part of the set; in summer, it's a cold udon with karaage (Japanese fried chicken).

Thanks to the chilled broth, the udon noodles are even more springy and satisfying.

Grab the karaage first — eating it while it's still crispy makes it even better.

Dessert: mango panna cotta

Panna cotta, the Italian dessert

A soft milk pudding melting with sweet mango purée on top adds so much flavor to the already springy pudding — genuinely delicious. This place doubles as a Gwanghwamun dessert favorite too — you get your meal and dessert sorted in one visit~

Who should eat at Ilpum Gwanghwamun?

This was my first visit to Ilpum Gwanghwamun, and as expected it's clean, hygienic, and friendly, which makes it even better. This Gwanghwamun Japanese restaurant favorite looks great for group meals. A spot known for eel rice bowl and kaisendon in Gwanghwamun, it's satisfying and hearty. Since it's so clean, I'd recommend it for a Gwanghwamun date or a company dinner too.