# Sunday night sushi izakaya in Seolleung, Seoul: tuna trio at Sakai - By Yerin P. (https://superchart.com/en/@daejeon-saucer-stops/) - Written Sep 17, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangnam, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written as part of a paid in-store sponsorship. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@daejeon-saucer-stops/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@daejeon-saucer-stops/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/index.md) ## In short Sakai is a sushi izakaya near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, with counter seats on one side and tables on the other. A last-minute Sunday evening reservation still found Sakai fully booked, and the order ran from Banshu Ikkon sake to red sea bream, kanpachi, horse mackerel, akami, chutoro, otoro, sweet shrimp, benjari and mackerel-shiso hosomaki. Chutoro beat otoro and akami among the tuna, and because the rice portions are small, Sakai suits drinking and snacking more than a full meal. ## Good to know - **Reservations**: Naver, phone, or Catch Table - **Seating**: Counter (dachi) seats and table seats - **Ordering style**: Okonomi style, with the menu changing daily by what came in; at table seats, staff write the order on a Post-it - **Sake**: Banshu Ikkon, listed on the menu as 180mL *as written by the visitor on Sep 17, 2026* I suddenly wanted really good sushi, so I made a last-minute reservation and headed to Sakai near Seolleung. ![First photo from the visit to Sakai near Seolleung](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-01-1oiz9-1200.webp) You can book through Naver, by phone, or via Catch Table! ## Booking Sakai in Seolleung: fully booked even on a Sunday evening Sakai has counter seats and table seats, and the whole place has a cozy vibe, so there aren't many seats to begin with. Even on the Sunday evening I visited, every reservation slot was taken — it's that popular. So I really recommend booking ahead. One perk of sitting at the counter is that you get to watch the chefs shape the sushi right in front of you, which makes for an extra special experience!! ## How ordering works at Sakai and what is on the menu Check out the menu board. ![Sakai's menu board](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-02-uwg30-900.webp) ![Another page of Sakai's menu board](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-03-dh693-900.webp) ![Sake section of Sakai's menu board](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-04-1hqbd-900.webp) ![Detail page of Sakai's menu board](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-05-1amrz-675.webp) At Sakai, the ingredients that come in change day to day, so the menu isn't fixed. ![Sakai's in-store menu board listing that day's sushi](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-06-db09d-900.webp) Once you're seated, you check the board above the chefs to see what sushi's available that day, then order. If you're at a table, staff kindly write out the menu on a Post-it for you, so there's nothing to worry about. ![Table setting at a Sakai table seat](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-07-yukng-900.webp) ![Waiting for the ordered sushi at a Sakai table](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-08-16jed-900.webp) I mostly ate nigiri sushi haha (personally I lean toward red, fattier fish over white fish haha). ## Shari and sake: the Banshu Ikkon pour beats the listed 180mL Sakai's shari (sushi rice) is on the seasoned side. ![Sakai sushi made with seasoned shari](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-09-k4eq1-900.webp) So I ordered the clean-tasting Banshu Ikkon sake — the menu lists it as 180mL, but tasting it, it felt more like about 200mL, a generous pour. ![Banshu Ikkon sake ordered at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-10-1wdo7-900.webp) Staff told me they actually pour more than listed. As I was drinking, staff noticed it was a bit dry for me and gave me a sweeter, more feminine-leaning sake on the house haha. And yes — after drinking that one, I ordered even more sushi, no secret there lol. If you're after a sweet, floral sake that's easier to drink, I'd recommend this one!! ## Sushi piece by piece: red sea bream, kanpachi, horse mackerel I usually prefer sashimi over nigiri, but at Sakai I really wanted the nigiri. (Looking at these photos again, I want it all over.) Red sea bream: clean, soft texture with a savory finish — a top pick. Highly recommend if you like mild white fish!! ![Red sea bream nigiri at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-11-qv4ty-900.webp) Kanpachi (greater amberjack): decent fat content, chewy with good flavor. I was expecting yellowtail-level fattiness so it was a touch underwhelming haha. ![Kanpachi nigiri topped with garlic at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-12-1a060-900.webp) Surprisingly, what's on top turned out to be garlic?? Horse mackerel: the name sounded unfamiliar so I wasn't sure what to expect, but this — this was truly my style!! If you like slightly oily fish or enjoy mackerel sashimi, I'd recommend this. (I ended up ordering it again later haha.) These little toppings and garnishes really elevate each piece and give Sakai's sushi its own signature feel. ![Horse mackerel nigiri with garnish at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-13-1bch4-900.webp) ## Three cuts of tuna compared: chutoro over otoro over akami Akami: the clean, lean red part of the tuna. Chutoro: from the medium-fat belly section of the tuna, soft with rich flavor — you can see the marbling, right?? ![Marbled chutoro nigiri at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-14-nlgca-900.webp) I'd been craving tuna anyway, and this was seriously so good!! ![Close-up of tuna nigiri at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-15-bjytv-900.webp) Otoro: the top-tier fatty belly cut, melts in your mouth! I love tuna enough that I ordered several cuts to compare, and personally my ranking was chutoro > otoro > akami haha. ![Otoro nigiri at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-16-1k656-900.webp) ## Sweet shrimp, benjari and mackerel-shiso hosomaki at Sakai Sweet shrimp: sweet, chewy texture — a signature piece, you could even call it a Sakai specialty! ![Sweet shrimp nigiri with egg yolk sauce at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-17-lveym-900.webp) Eating it with the egg yolk sauce underneath boosted the savoriness — a real treat! ![A single piece of sweet shrimp nigiri at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-18-1ljay-900.webp) ![Plate of additional sushi ordered at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-19-10vbk-900.webp) And here's what we ordered on top of that. Not going to lie, I had to ask Gemini what the hosomaki and the pieces below it actually were haha. ![Charred benjari and mackerel-shiso hosomaki](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-20-v6d1j-900.webp) Benjari: a sea bass family fish, and the char on top was seriously on point! (I'm a big fan of that smoky flavor haha.) Hosomaki (mackerel-shiso): think of it as a small roll with mackerel inside — simple, clean, and easy to eat!! ![Mackerel-shiso hosomaki at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-21-ak4um-900.webp) ## More drinking food than a rice meal, and a good date spot The shari portions are on the smaller side, so it's better enjoyed as drinking food than as a rice-filling meal, and the atmosphere seems to draw a lot of couples too. ![Cozy interior of Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-22-ihkmb-900.webp) Sitting at the counter especially gives you that connection with the chefs, making for an even more special experience. ![Counter seats with a view of the chefs at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-23-a3sx7-900.webp) ![Final sushi and seating view at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai-24-1c8pn-900.webp) Next time I want to come with friends and try a wider range of the drinking-food menu. If you're looking for an izakaya near Seolleung, I highly recommend Sakai!! ## Where it is - Sakai (사카이) - 15 Yeoksam-ro 67-gil, 1st floor, Unit 101, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강남구 역삼로67길 15 1층 101호 - 37.5023593, 127.0528285 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%82%AC%EC%B9%B4%EC%9D%B4/@37.5023593,127.0528285,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@daejeon-saucer-stops/seolleung-sushi-sunday-sake-sakai/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt