Sashimi bar in Sangbong for amberjack and aged kimchi: Hoepanjang

I heard a new aged sashimi spot had opened in the Sangbong Station food alley, so I went for a drink with a close older friend of mine at Hoepanjang Sangbong (회판장 상봉점). It even has proper outdoor-market vibes, which made it perfect. Here's my review of this Sangbong aged sashimi spot!

Where is Hoepanjang Sangbong and how late is it open?

Hoepanjang Sangbong is at 86 Bongujae-ro 33-gil, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, on the 1st floor, in the Sangbong food alley. Hours are Mon-Fri 16:00-03:00, Sat 15:00-03:00 and Sun 15:00-02:00. The signature menu items are the Assorted Sashimi Platter (₩54,000) and the Seafood Platter (₩54,000).

The place feels clean yet cozy. If you like outdoor-market vibes, it has a charm that stops passersby in their tracks.

It already has branches in Konkuk University area and Gangnam, so it's well known as an aged sashimi specialist. Reviews of other branches say tables are full by around 6 p.m., and the Sangbong branch seems to carry on that reputation. Since it's open until 3 a.m., it's easy to visit for a first round, or a second or third.

Fresh aged sashimi with a generous spread of starters (sukkidashi): after visiting in person, I immediately understood why people call this the go-to aged sashimi spot in Sangbong. The platter is really well put together, and the fresh sashimi and all the side dishes made the evening drinks even richer.

What comes with the 2-person platter besides sashimi?

I ordered the 2-person Assorted Sashimi Platter. We started by wetting our throats with somaek (soju mixed with beer).

The platter isn't just a plate of sashimi. The variety of accompaniments was really satisfying.

Corn cheese, mussel soup, even beondegi (steamed silkworm pupae)! Before the sashimi even arrives, you could easily finish a bottle of soju each. The hot mussel soup in particular had a clear, refreshing broth that cleansed the palate between bites of sashimi.

Eight kinds of aged sashimi, special mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) sauce, vinegared rice and gopchang gim (seaweed) all arrive as one generous spread. Sushi, mussel soup, mini mulhoe and mini hoe-muchim (spicy raw fish salad) come as standard too, so it's a truly full lineup.

• 8 kinds of aged sashimi
• Special mulhoe sauce, vinegared rice, gopchang gim
• Sushi, mussel soup, mini mulhoe, mini hoe-muchim
• Corn cheese, beondegi
• Wrap ingredients: lettuce, perilla leaves, pickled scallion (rakkyo), chili, garlic, ssamjang
• Jeon (savory pancakes) such as kimchi jeon, potato jeon and fried squid

There are plenty of wrap ingredients like lettuce, perilla leaves, rakkyo, chili, garlic and ssamjang, so wrapping different combinations is a lot of fun. Being able to enjoy fresh sashimi in so many ways is a big plus of Hoepanjang.

The word "generous" really suits Hoepanjang's starters. The table is already full with the platter alone.

How were the aged sashimi and the lineup?

The aged sashimi comes thickly sliced and has a distinctive savory depth. I'm told you can get fresh aged fish depending on the season, such as mackerel or amberjack.

The lineup can vary a little by season, and they reportedly serve premium fish generously through direct-from-source shipping and auctions.

A chewy, sweet slice of aged sashimi, then a shot of soju. With such good snacks, the drinks just keep going down.

The mini mulhoe makes you want a full order

The mini mulhoe is sweet and tangy and does a great job of waking up the appetite. It's so good that I wish it were bigger; next time I'd like to order the mulhoe on its own.

Amberjack with aged kimchi

Of the sashimi that day, the amberjack was especially high quality. Eaten with aged kimchi, the combination worked really well.

Mixing it up with gopchang gim, vinegared rice and pollock roe sauce

Wrapping a generous bite in gopchang gim is great, and so is putting sashimi on top of the vinegared rice they provide. I liked being able to mix and match.

The pollock roe sauce popping in your mouth is the kicker.

On top of that, you also get a range of jeon, including kimchi jeon, potato jeon and fried squid.

Is the Hoepanjang Sangbong platter good value?

All of this is included in the ₩54,000 platter, which I think is seriously good value. A Sangbong spot you should visit before it gets even more famous!

Hoepanjang is a place where you can enjoy fresh seasonal aged sashimi, generous starters and special outdoor-market vibes all at once. If you're looking for a gathering or date spot near Sangbong Station, Hoepanjang Sangbong is a choice you won't regret.