Gwanghwamun salmon sake-don with belly and roe: Ilpum, Jongno

I was looking around for a good sushi spot in Gwanghwamun and ended up at Ilpum Gwanghwamun, a place with everything from vibrant, fresh kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) to sushi and unagi don (grilled eel rice bowl) on the menu! It's already known as an upscale kaisendon spot in Gwanghwamun, so I was pretty excited before even walking in...

I found this place while looking for a good Japanese restaurant in Gwanghwamun with a friend who really loves salmon and sushi, and I heard the vibe was clean and every dish was prepared with real care, so I went in with high expectations. It looked like it'd work well for a family gathering, a date, or a work dinner — a solid Japanese restaurant find in Gwanghwamun!

Where is Ilpum Gwanghwamun? Basement level 2, Le Meilleur Jongno Town

Ilpum Gwanghwamun is on basement level 2 of Le Meilleur Jongno Town, right across from the escalator. It's also close to Gwanghwamun Station Exit 4 and Jonggak Station Exit 1, so it was really easy to find!

Inside Ilpum Gwanghwamun and the two salmon dishes we ordered

Walking in, the space felt clean and calm overall, making it easy to drop by for lunch or an evening get-together. It seemed like a great fit for office workers in Gwanghwamun grabbing a meal, and thanks to the clean atmosphere, it'd suit anyone hunting for a good sushi or Japanese restaurant in Gwanghwamun too.

What we ordered that day:

• Salmon sake-don (salmon rice bowl) — ₩26,000
• Salmon sushi set — ₩28,000

My friend and I both love salmon so much that we ended up ordering only salmon dishes...

Salmon sake-don, 26,000 won: salmon belly and salmon roe in one bowl

The salmon sake-don came out first! The bowl was piled with thick cuts of salmon and looked seriously appetizing right away. On top of the regular salmon cuts, there was rich, fatty salmon belly, and salmon roe dotted right in the center — my mouth was watering just looking at it...

Taking a bite, the salmon was thick enough to fill my mouth in a satisfying way, melting softly while still delivering that deep, savory flavor. The salmon belly added extra richness for a more luxurious taste, and pairing it with the pop of the salmon roe made the texture fun too.

The salmon belly in particular had way more fat than the regular cuts, so the savoriness really came through, spreading smoothly and luxuriously in the mouth. Adding the salmon roe on top brought a salty umami kick that paired well with the salmon's clean flavor...

Eating the salmon together with the rice brought out a clean yet subtly savory taste that kept me reaching for more! The salmon's flavor was so rich that it didn't get lost against the rice — they actually complemented each other really well... highly recommend!!!!!!

What comes on the side: chawanmushi, mini udon and panna cotta

And the sides that came along were really nice too — chawanmushi, udon, and panna cotta for dessert... such a generous spread! The mini udon even had chicken karaage in it, so the lineup was more filling than I expected. With warm, clean udon broth alongside crispy karaage, this alone felt like a complete meal!

Salmon sushi set, 28,000 won: seasoned rice, no soy sauce needed

A little later, the salmon sushi set arrived with a jaw-dropping presentation! Both of us salmon lovers gasped the moment we saw it. The thick cuts of salmon piled on top looked incredibly fresh, and every piece I picked up filled my mouth with the salmon's soft texture and rich flavor.

What I especially liked was that the sushi rice was already seasoned just right, so it tasted great even without dipping much in soy sauce! It wasn't too salty, just subtly savory, and it complemented the salmon without overpowering its flavor.

The texture and flavor of the salmon itself felt clean and upscale, giving a different kind of satisfaction than the salmon sushi I usually eat... After going all-in on salmon, from the sake-don to the sushi set, I could kind of see why this place is known as a top kaisendon spot in Gwanghwamun.

Is Ilpum Gwanghwamun worth it for a Japanese meal in Gwanghwamun?

Overall, I could feel the care put into everything — the ingredients, the plating, even the side dishes. It was a satisfying meal that felt upscale without being over the top. If you're craving a clean, proper Japanese meal in Gwanghwamun, I'd recommend Ilpum Gwanghwamun.

If you're looking for a good kaisendon spot, sushi restaurant, or Japanese restaurant in Gwanghwamun, this place is worth a visit — I was satisfied enough that I want to try the kaisendon or unagi don next time. If you're ever in Gwanghwamun craving good sushi or fresh seafood, Ilpum Gwanghwamun should make for a pretty happy meal :)