Konkuk izakaya set: aged sashimi and mizutaki hot pot, 63,000 won

A long-overdue trip to Konkuk for aged sashimi and soju — the food here was so good I still haven't forgotten it.

Where is Ito, and when is the Konkuk izakaya open?

Ito is a Japanese-vibe bar just a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Konkuk University Station on Lines 2 and 7. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, 17:00–01:00, last order at midnight, and closed every Monday.

Arrived at the gateway to Ito. I was in a bad mood that day, so alcohol resupply was urgent. Give me the alcohol.

Head down the stairs and there's Ito, a Konkuk izakaya with Japanese vibes wafting through the air. I want to steal one of those highball posters for my room.

Partitioned tables: why Ito works for a date

Ito is a basement bar, but the ceilings are so high it still feels open. And every table is separated by partitions, which made it a great spot for a date.

We sat at a cozy table tucked behind a pillar. Let's split the menu.

What comes with the 63,000-won Ito table set

Ito is known for its side dishes, and there are so many good ones it's genuinely hard to choose! That's when I recommend the Ito table set.

• 🍶 Assorted sashimi + mille-feuille
• 🍶 Assorted sashimi + mizutaki
• 🍶 Assorted sashimi + sukiyaki

All 63,000 won. It's perfect when you want to pair sashimi with a warm broth to finish things off. I went with mizutaki, a Japanese-style chicken hot pot I was trying for the first time.

The starters arrived right after ordering. Green edamame gave off full izakaya vibes — salty, and great with a drink.

Chili sauce served in a cute little bowl.

They thoughtfully gave us two small plates — one for the broth, one for the sashimi. Tonight's drink of choice: Saero. Order two bottles and you get a free cola. Two bottles? Totally doable.

Ito's assorted sashimi: how well is the fish aged?

The assorted sashimi came out fast. All my favorites, at first glance.

Salmon, tuna, flounder, sweet shrimp, abalone, and more — varied cuts, generous portions.

I eat aged sashimi more often than live-fish sashimi, and the aging here was so good the umami really came through. There was also mackerel sashimi with no fishy taste at all, and eating it with finely chopped pickled ginger and wasabi brought out the mackerel's distinctive flavor even more.

Ankimo (monkfish liver) with a salmon roe sauce. Even better piled on white fish. This isn't just a place that slices up raw fish — you can taste the chef's skill here.

The cuts were thick with great texture, and the abalone topped with gejang-style sauce was omakase-level quality. High-end sashimi you rarely find near a university district!

Mizutaki, the Japanese-style whole-chicken hot pot

A soju drinker needs broth — it's just not right otherwise. Ito's mizutaki is a Japanese-style whole chicken hot pot, packed with vegetables and chicken thigh meat.

Chicken and vegetables simmered down into a broth this rich — incredible with soju.

A happy Friday night. This is what makes the whole week worth it.

They even bring out sushi rice so you can pace your drinking with something in your stomach. A scoop of rice with a thick slice of sashimi on top gives you carbs too — so good.

Ordered two bottles casually and got our free cola. Tasty Pepsi Lime.

Atmosphere, music and bathroom amenities at Ito

Traces of a fun Friday night. The food was genuinely delicious, the songs playing were all Japanese tracks I happen to love, and the calm mood made it a great date spot.

Even the bathroom has mouthwash, floss, and hand cream. Such attention to detail... makes me want to come back.

Where to go next on a Konkuk date course

After a great meal, head to E-Mart's Electromart and finish the date drawing on a Galaxy Tab. Konkuk really does have a lot of great bars. Adding Ito to my Konkuk favorites list!✔️

If you're planning a blind date or want a date that actually goes well around Konkuk, I recommend Ito — great food, a drink, and some real conversation.