Gyeongsan sushi restaurant lunch wait, 2,200 won add-on nigiri: Sonsi

Today my wife and I went out for lunch near Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan. There wasn't even any debate about where to go — my wife loves Sonsi Sushi, a well-known spot near the university, so that was decided instantly haha.

Every time we come here it tends to be busy, and today there was a wait again. Guess that's why so many people near Yeungnam University keep coming back.

What kind of place is Sonsi Sushi Yeungnam University Main Branch?

Sonsi Sushi is a sushi restaurant near Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan. The address of Sonsi Sushi Yeungnam University Main Branch is 325 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk.

From the outside, it's a brick building with the character 鮨 (Sonsi Sushi) written large, so it really catches your eye as you pass by. A white noren hangs at the entrance and the whole place gives off a proper Japanese sushi-restaurant atmosphere. My wife loves it even more than I do, so it's one of the first places that comes to mind when we talk about eating sushi near Yeungnam University.

Is there a wait at Sonsi Sushi during lunch?

There was a wait at Sonsi Sushi even during lunchtime. Guess it's not easy to just walk into a popular place haha.

If you're planning to visit Sonsi Sushi, it's better to give yourself a bit of extra time rather than just showing up right at lunch or dinner. You can also reserve ahead through CatchTable, so if you have a specific time in mind, booking is much more convenient. Especially at lunchtime, I'd recommend going in with the mindset that there might be a wait, rather than assuming you'll be seated right away.

Inside Sonsi Sushi: seating and atmosphere

The interior of Sonsi Sushi is decorated with an overall Japanese feel. On the wall there was a phrase about valuing good ingredients along with a description explaining that Sonsi Sushi cares about the balance between quality ingredients and craftsmanship.

Being a sushi restaurant, there's a real emphasis on the ingredients. There was even soy sauce set out on the table with a jujube inside it, which was unique enough that I had to take a picture haha.

What comes in the 38,700 won value set

The base menu we ordered today was the Sonsi Sushi value set for 2-3 people, priced at 38,700 won. It's literally just called the 'value set' haha.

The two of us had it for lunch, and it's not just sushi — several dishes come together, so once it was all laid out on the table it looked pretty generous.

Along with the sushi, you also get a sashimi rice bowl, cold soba, and shrimp tempura. On days when the two of you want to eat a variety of things, this kind of set really is convenient.

Which nigiri arrive on the sushi plate

Let's start with the main sushi plate from the Sonsi Sushi value set. Quite a lot of variety, even just from the photo, right?

Salmon, white fish, tuna, egg, eel, gunkan-maki (battleship sushi) — all kinds arrived together on one plate. I prefer this kind of mix over having several pieces of just one type. Since it was the two of us, there was also the fun of picking out whichever piece each of us wanted haha.

Four add-on nigiri at 2,200 won each

We ordered the value set, but also added a few extra sushi pieces on top. Here's what we added at Sonsi Sushi:

• Torched (aburi) flounder fin — ₩2,200
• Aged flounder fin (soaked) — ₩2,200
• Thick salmon belly — ₩2,200
• Tuna, prime cut (bluefin) — ₩2,200

Midway through the set we kept saying 'let's try this too' and ordering one piece at a time, and before we knew it the sushi count had grown again haha. Since you can add whatever piece you want separately, if you have a favorite cut, it's worth ordering more.

The sashimi rice bowl in the set

One thing that really stood out in the value set was the sashimi rice bowl (hoedeopbap). The bowl is packed with vegetables and topped with sashimi, shredded seaweed, and egg strips.

It's not just a plate of sushi — a sashimi rice bowl comes along with it, which really rounds out the meal. You eat some sushi, then mix up the rice bowl, then move on to another dish haha. Having several kinds of food instead of just one made lunch feel pretty full.

Cold soba comes with the set too

And then there's the cold soba (naengmomil). It came topped with radish, shredded seaweed, sesame seeds, and green onion — refreshing and cool.

Being able to take a bite of soba in between pieces of sushi was a nice combination. With sushi, the rice bowl, and soba all on the table, it filled up fast for the two of us haha.

Four shrimp tempura to finish

And then there's the shrimp tempura! Looking at the photo again, the shrimp tempura really has presence.

Four long shrimp tempura pieces came out, and the crispy batter looked great. Instead of only cold dishes like sushi and sashimi, having warm tempura too made the whole spread more varied.

Why booking Sonsi Sushi on CatchTable beats walking in

The one thing I confirmed again today: if you're going to Sonsi Sushi, go in expecting a wait haha. Even during the lunchtime we visited, there were people waiting, and since it's a place my wife loves, there tend to be quite a lot of customers whenever we go.

Fortunately, you can reserve ahead through CatchTable, so if you have a set time in mind, booking ahead is much more convenient. Especially during busy times like lunch, it's worth checking availability before you head out.

Is the Sonsi Sushi lunch set worth it for two?

Today my wife and I went to Sonsi Sushi for lunch together after a while. It's a favorite near Yeungnam University for my wife, so it's a place we think of every now and then. Order the value set and you get sushi, a sashimi rice bowl, cold soba, and shrimp tempura all together, and you can add extra sushi separately if you want more or have a favorite piece.

And like today, there can be a wait at lunchtime, so definitely check CatchTable for a reservation. If you're craving sushi in Gyeongsan, especially near Yeungnam University, Sonsi Sushi is worth checking out. :)