Late-night izakaya near Konkuk University Station, open till 1am: Ito

Finding an izakaya near Konkuk that has both good atmosphere and is easy to talk in can be surprisingly tricky. Ito, the place I visited, let me enjoy the food and the mood at the same time. This is Ito, near Konkuk — let me walk you through everything from the location to what I ordered, honestly.

Where is Ito? A 3-minute walk from Konkuk University Station

Ito is an easy walk from Konkuk University Station. It's about 182 meters from the exit, so it only took around 3 minutes. Walking from the first intersection of Konkuk's food street toward Hwayangcho, it wasn't hard to find at all.

The restaurant sits in the basement level of the building. The izakaya mood kicked in the moment I started down the stairs. Being so close to the station made it easy to set as a meeting spot too. No need to wander complicated alleys for ages, which was another plus. If accessibility matters to you, this is a Konkuk spot worth noting.

Ito's opening hours and last order time

Being able to stay out late was another thing I liked. It's open Tuesday through Sunday, from 5pm to 1am the next day. Last order is midnight, and it's closed every Monday.

This suited a leisurely drinking session much better than a rushed one before the last train. Being close to the station also made getting home easy. It's a great bar near Konkuk University Station for those late meetups!

What the dim basement seating at Ito feels like

To cut to the chase, Ito was a great Konkuk izakaya for conversation. The lighting inside is soft and generally dim, which made it feel cozy. Sitting at the table felt like stepping into a Japanese pub. It kept just enough atmosphere while still letting me focus on the people I was with. I'd recommend it for a couple's date or a get-together with close friends.

If you prefer a calm space over a too-bright bar, you'll be satisfied here. It was nice to slowly sip a drink even before the food arrived. It felt like finding a Konkuk spot that took the atmosphere seriously too.

What's on Ito's menu

At Ito you can order comfortably right from your seat. There's the Ito table set — combos like sashimi+mille-feuille, sashimi+mizutaki, sashimi+sukiyaki — plus aged sashimi, nabe (hot pot), and single dishes like cream udon and Napolitan udon.

For crispy fried dishes there's chicken nanban, ebi mayo, and gochu yurinki. There are simpler menu items too, and plenty of drinks — highballs, soju, sake, and more.

Ito's starter spread and mixed sashimi

The basic side dishes set out right after ordering already got the drinking mood going. Popping salty edamame beans one by one kept my mouth from getting bored. A nice touch that added to the izakaya feel.

The dish I was most looking forward to at Ito was the mixed sashimi. One plate came with salmon, flounder, tuna, sweet shrimp, and more, several kinds together. Sushi rice was served alongside too, which helped fill us up.

The abalone came with a liver sauce for dipping, which was a fun, different way to eat it. Getting to pick and choose was way more fun than sticking to just one type of sashimi. It'd suit anyone looking for a spread that pairs well with drinks. If you love seafood, this is one to try at Ito near Konkuk.

Was Ito's sukiyaki hot pot worth ordering?

When you need something warm at Ito, sukiyaki is the way to go. The special sauce's sweet-salty flavor soaked well into the broth. It also paired nicely after the sashimi.

The pot was packed generously with beef, mushrooms, and vegetables. As the broth simmered, the flavors blended together and I kept going back for more. It warmed me up from the inside, making it a great choice later in the drinking session too.

Being able to enjoy cold sashimi and hot hot pot together is Ito's strength. I'd especially recommend it to anyone who wants to try a variety of dishes in one place. It stuck in my memory as a Konkuk spot with a well-rounded menu.

Ito was a great place to enjoy sashimi and hot pot together in a softly lit space. If you're planning to go, don't forget to save the location and hours! I'd recommend Ito near Konkuk for a quiet, unhurried drinking session.