# Gwanghwamun sushi spot with mango panna cotta dessert: Ilpum - By Harin (https://superchart.com/en/@errand-rice-stops/) - Written Sep 19, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This is a review after receiving a complimentary meal from the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@errand-rice-stops/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@errand-rice-stops/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/index.md) ## In short Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) specialty Japanese restaurant on basement level 2 of the Lemeilleur building in Jongno, Seoul. On a weekend visit at 1pm with a Naver reservation, the premium kaisendon at 37,000 won and today's sushi at 28,000 won arrived like a course meal, with chawanmushi, karaage cold udon and mango panna cotta alongside. Wrapping uni, ankimo and salmon roe in seaweed makes Ilpum Gwanghwamun a fun pick for a date meal near Gwanghwamun. ## Good to know - **Location**: Basement 2, Unit 223, Lemeilleur Building, 19 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul - **Open days**: Mon–Sat (closed Sundays) - **Hours**: 11:00–21:30 - **Break time**: 15:00–17:30 - **Last order**: 14:00 and 20:00 - **Parking**: 2 hours free in the Lemeilleur building (register at the restaurant counter) - **Premium kaisendon**: 37,000 won - **Today's sushi**: 28,000 won - **Getting there**: 4-minute walk from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 4 or Jonggak Station Exit 1 - **Price reference**: ₩37,000 ≈ $26.5 · ₩28,000 ≈ $20 (2026-09-20) *as written by the visitor on Sep 19, 2026* ![A bowl of premium kaisendon at Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-01-9izh6-900.webp) Ilpum Gwanghwamun, a Japanese restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Seoul Kaisendon made with fresh seafood near Gwanghwamun, Seoul I visited '一品 Gwanghwamun', famous as a local favorite ⁎.⊹ Here's my review of the premium kaisendon at Ilpum, beloved as a Gwanghwamun lunch kaisendon spot! ![Store usage information for Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-02-1o2ia-900.webp) ## Ilpum Gwanghwamun hours, break time and parking Ilpum Gwanghwamun is open 11:00–21:30 Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays. Break time is 15:00–17:30, with last order at 14:00 and 20:00. - Open days | Mon–Sat (closed Sundays) - Hours | 11:00–21:30 - Break time | 15:00–17:30 - Last order | 14:00, 20:00 - Parking | Building parking available You can park in the Lemeilleur building! ✶ 2 hours free building parking ✶ (you can register your car at the store counter) Ilpum, a kaisendon specialty restaurant, runs four locations in Seoul: Magok, Yeouido, Gwanghwamun, and Gangnam! They're mostly clustered around Seoul's major office districts and busy commercial areas, so they're easy to reach and convenient to visit! Take the escalator down to basement level 2 and — ta-da — there's Ilpum! The standing sign out front says it's the restaurant Lee Young-ja and Hwang Jung-min visited on their first appearance on KBS's 'Baedalwatsuda'! ![Entrance of Ilpum Gwanghwamun on basement level 2 of the Lemeilleur building](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-03-3hc75-900.webp) Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a 4-minute walk from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 4 or Jonggak Station Exit 1, so it's easy to reach by public transit! (It's located in Unit 223, basement level 2 of the Lemeilleur building) ![Walk-in waitlist sheet outside the store](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-04-1qt6o-900.webp) ## Is a Naver reservation necessary at 1pm on a weekend? There's a walk-in waitlist sheet set up outside the store! On weekends or during peak hours, waiting is basically guaranteed at this popular spot, so I'd recommend booking through Naver before you go! ![Menu board placed at the entrance of Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-05-11yjb-900.webp) There's a menu board at the entrance so you can check the menu and prices before heading in .ᐟ ![Interior of Ilpum Gwanghwamun with wood-tone decor](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-06-v393h-900.webp) Ilpum is a popular Gwanghwamun lunch spot among office workers! I booked ahead on Naver for a Saturday 1pm visit, waited briefly, and was then led to my seat by staff ••! The interior features warm wood tones and soft lighting as the main points, filling the space with that cozy, tidy Japanese restaurant atmosphere - ✶ .˚ There's a mix of counter seating and 4-person tables, so it works well whether you're dining solo or with a small group! ![Origin-labeling board mounted on the wall](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-07-1h1b9-900.webp) A neatly organized origin-labeling board is mounted on the wall, easy to spot at a glance -! ## The Ilpum Gwanghwamun menu and how to order ![Signature menu board listing kaisendon and unagi don](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-08-j0pjy-900.webp) The signature dishes: kaisendon, premium kaisendon, one-serving unagi don, and sushi omakase-style assorted sushi -! ![Menu board listing sake-don, sushi, and sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-09-m8b27-900.webp) Ilpum offers a wide range of dishes beyond its signature kaisendon, including sake-don, sushi, sashimi, and tempura!! ![Price listing for premium kaisendon and today's sushi](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-10-114eo-900.webp) Premium kaisendon 37.0 Today's sushi 28.0 (the lonely wasabi sitting off to the side..) ![Bar seating with a tablet order system and water dispenser on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-11-1apvl-900.webp) You order using the tablet at the table! There's a water dispenser right at the bar seats, so it was handy to pour yourself a cold glass without getting up! ![Basic table setting with chawanmushi, baek-kimchi, and miso soup](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-12-1dbsc-900.webp) ### First to arrive: chawanmushi and seaweed sheets Before the main dish arrives, you get soft chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), baek-kimchi (mild white kimchi), and warm miso soup first ••! ![Soft chawanmushi topped with gamtae](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-13-zrajz-900.webp) The chawanmushi has a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture topped with gamtae (dried seaweed), and its oceanic, nutty flavor fills your mouth ⸜̑⸝͂⸌̑⸍͂ ![Seaweed served alongside the kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-14-1pzo7-900.webp) If you order the kaisendon, they also give you seaweed to pair with it! ## What comes in the 37,000-won premium kaisendon The premium kaisendon costs ₩37,000, and the bowl comes topped with tuna akami, salmon, aburi salmon, white fish, squid, sweet shrimp, abalone, scallop, uni, and egg, among other things. The generous portion and the glistening, fresh seafood are honestly gasp-worthy - ⸜̑⸝͂ With so many kinds of seafood piled on top of the rice, one bowl lets you enjoy a whole variety in one sitting! The plating is seriously a work of art ..🫪🤍 ![Premium kaisendon plated high with seafood](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-15-sv7wf-900.webp) I moved it into a bowl to make it easier to eat! The premium kaisendon includes tuna akami, salmon, aburi salmon, white fish, squid, sweet shrimp, abalone, scallop, uni, egg, and more •• ![Kaisendon seafood transferred into a bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-16-j1jl9-900.webp) The seasoned rice comes loaded with crab meat, ankimo (monkfish liver), fried lotus root, gamtae, and even salmon roe — truly generous ➿ Piling squid and flying fish roe onto the rice for one bite! The thickness is really substantial too, and the chewier you chew, the more the ocean flavor fills your mouth! ![Aburi salmon and salmon roe wrapped in seaweed](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-17-ef4fo-900.webp) Wrapping the melt-in-your-mouth, nutty aburi salmon and pop-in-your-mouth salmon roe in seaweed gives you both flavor and a fun texture! Salmon lovers will be so happy ⌒.⌒ ♡ A charming kaisendon that fills you up with ocean flavor! ![Uni and ankimo placed on top of tuna](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-18-sp0o4-900.webp) Putting uni and ankimo on top of the tuna and wrapping it up — how much better could it get -! ![Karaage cold udon served alongside the kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-19-1ljyi-900.webp) ### Karaage cold udon, served midway through the meal While you're enjoying the kaisendon, the karaage cold udon arrives ➿! The noodles are chewy, and the karaage, soaked in the rich udon broth and gone moist, is delightful in a single bite! Finished off with gyokuro tea ⸜̑⸝͂ . . The kaisendon is generous in portion, fresh, and cleanly aged with zero fishy smell — the seafood combination is honestly perfect ..! ## What comes in the 28,000-won today's sushi set Today's sushi costs ₩28,000 and comes with 5 pieces of nigiri sushi, 2 pieces of shrimp, tuna maki, 1 piece of futomaki, and egg. ![Today's sushi set with nigiri and futomaki](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-20-1pyis-900.webp) Today's sushi comes with 5 pieces of nigiri, 2 pieces of shrimp, tuna maki, 1 piece of futomaki, and egg! ![Raw shrimp sushi topped with caviar](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-21-y1s6n-900.webp) The raw shrimp is topped with caviar! Successfully stole a piece of shrimp..! ![Springy steamed shrimp sushi](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-22-7ztzq-900.webp) Bouncy, springy texture without any dryness, plus a moist sweetness that really comes through — this steamed shrimp sushi was delicious - 🦐･˚ ![Futomaki with fried shrimp and fried tofu](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-23-1idkh-900.webp) The end piece of the futomaki is always the best part, right..? With fried shrimp and fried tofu inside, it's nutty, and the balance between the crunch of cucumber and the salmon and tuna inside was really good! ### Mango panna cotta for dessert The dessert is mango panna cotta! Sweet mango sauce is drizzled over a milk pudding, and it was just sweet enough to be a great final palate cleanser! You can also grab various coupon perks when booking through Naver, so given how popular this place is, I'd recommend reserving ahead before visiting! ![Closing shot of the premium kaisendon at Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend-24-1700j-1200.webp) Ilpum Gwanghwamun, where the premium kaisendon piled high with fresh seafood was delicious ⸜̑⸝͂⋆ If you're looking for a kaisendon restaurant that's great for a Gwanghwamun date, I highly recommend Ilpum!! ## Where it is - Ilpum Gwanghwamun (일품 광화문점) - 19 Jongno, Unit 223, Basement 2, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 종로구 종로 19 지하2층 223호 일품 광화문점 - 37.5708344, 126.9798606 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9D%BC%ED%92%88%20%EA%B4%91%ED%99%94%EB%AC%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5708344,126.9798606,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@errand-rice-stops/ilpoom-gwanghwamun-premium-kaisendon-weekend/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt