Hongdae sashimi pub: whole squid, mulhoe and soju for two, Eosa Chulto

I was finally meeting a friend in Hongdae after ages! The weather was cool and I was in a great mood, and on a day like that you simply have to have fresh sashimi with a glass of soju, right? Haha.

Why I chose Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch in Hongdae

Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch (어사출또 홍대점) was my final pick for a Hongdae sashimi restaurant because it's good value and lets you enjoy a big, varied spread of seafood. I'd had it saved on Naver Map for a while.

I'd actually been agonizing (?) between a salmon specialist in Yeonnam-dong and a few regular izakayas, but in the end I picked Eosa Chulto. It turned out to be an excellent choice!

Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch location, hours and parking

Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch is at 8 Donggyo-ro 27-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, and is open Mon–Sat from 11:30 to 23:20 (last order 22:50, closed Sundays). For first-time visitors, here's the store info in one tidy list. If you're on mobile, take a screenshot!

• Address: 8 Donggyo-ro 27-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Mon–Sat 11:30–23:20, closed Sundays (last order 22:50)
• Break time: None
• Parking: Not available; nearby public parking lots recommended
• Reservations: Naver Reservation; group bookings possible

It's about a 3–4 minute walk from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 2, so it's very easy to reach. Even my friend, who has no sense of direction, found it in one go.

The exterior gives off a warm, classic sashimi-restaurant vibe, and the fish tank was really clean and well kept, which boosted my trust before I'd even eaten.

Jigeum Ije Jecheol C set: what's in it and the price

What we ordered at Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch was the Jigeum Ije Jecheol (C) set (meaning roughly "in season right now") for ₩70,000. The menu is big and the set combinations vary, so you can order to suit your group size, and the sets looked like better value.

I got this chance through a sponsorship, but honestly the set was so generously put together that it surprised me more than I expected.

• Salmon / flounder / rockfish sashimi platter (small)
• Whole squid sashimi
• Cool, sweet-and-sour mulhoe

Spoon-and-chopstick sets and tissues are on the side of the table.

Portions and skidashi for two

The C set was seriously, enormously generous for two people. Classic sashimi-restaurant thing: the skidashi (free starter sides) come out well. This gizzard here? So crunchy and tasty, haha.

The star of the show: whole squid sashimi

The whole squid in the C set comes sliced as sashimi like in the photo, and it was a real temptress. The best!!!! Please order the squid!!!! See how springy it is? The texture is alive, haha.

A freshly pan-fried jeon (savory pancake) came out with the squid too. I love anything fried or floury, so... (I'll get fat) I think I ate almost all the pancake by myself, hehehe. Sorry, friend.

Tonight's drink: soju only!

The food was great and plentiful, so we drank only soju that day. Beer, which I'd normally have as a light chaser, never even crossed my mind. No somaek (soju-beer mix) either.

The table was packed, and just looking at it made me happy and full. Dip the squid in soy sauce or chojang (sweet chili vinegar sauce) and you get a taste you know all too well, and it's amazing with drinks.

Thick, chewy salmon, flounder and rockfish sashimi

The salmon, flounder and rockfish platter in the C set is the "small" size, but the amount was still quite generous. The color alone proved how fresh it was.

The flounder and rockfish had that signature firm texture and sweetness the more I chewed, and the salmon melted softly in my mouth. The slices weren't too thin but nicely thick, so you really feel the chew.

Corn cheese came out with the sashimi. The blessings of skidashi never end~~

Cold mulhoe to blow the heat away

The mulhoe that closed out the C set was overwhelming from the looks alone. Fresh vegetables and sashimi were packed in generously, and the broth with floating ice chips made my chest feel clear just from looking at it.

The sweet, sour and slightly spicy broth really woke up my appetite. When the sashimi started to feel a little greasy, a sip of the mulhoe broth felt like a reset. It was the MVP that kept us from getting tired of the food right to the end.

Any downsides at Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch?

I was very satisfied overall, but if I had to name a downside: the set menus are so varied and generous!! yet the one I wanted wasn't there T_T Since squid is in season, I wanted a squid set of squid sashimi + whole steamed squid + fried squid, hahaha.

Next time I want to gather more big-eater friends and come as a group of four, haha, and order everything I want to conquer the menu completely.

Is Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch good for gatherings and company dinners?

The ingredients were very fresh and the place is spacious, so I think it works well for get-togethers with friends and even for company dinners.

If you're looking for a foolproof, hearty sashimi restaurant near Hongdae, I highly recommend trying the "Jigeum Ije Jecheol" set at Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch!