Hongdae sushi with toppings long enough to roll up: Yu Iksang Sushi

What's your sushi preference? I like a little rice and a really, really long slice of fish on top. But in all my years, I had never eaten sushi with a tail this long! Whatever sushi you've had before, no fish can be longer than at this Hongik Univ. sushi spot, Yu Iksang Sushi (유익상스시). Here's my review of the Couple A Plus set.

Yu Iksang Sushi hours and parking

Yu Iksang Sushi is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00–21:00, with last order at 20:00, and closed every Monday. There is no parking at the restaurant.

Getting to Yu Iksang Sushi: 5 minutes on foot from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9

Yu Iksang Sushi is a 5-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station. Head into the alleys off the main Hongdae street and go around behind Seogyo Elementary School, and there it is. It's a handy spot to move on from for a second round after dinner in Hongdae, so it works well when you're looking for a meal spot on a Hongdae date.

Can you park at Yu Iksang Sushi?

Yu Iksang Sushi has no parking lot of its own. There are paid lots such as the Mapo Lifelong Learning Center, but public transport access is good, so I'd strongly recommend taking it!

Yu Iksang Sushi atmosphere and seating

Yu Iksang Sushi is a small sushi place with counter seats and tables. It isn't big: there are counter-style bar seats that suit one or two people, and 2 regular four-person tables.

The walls are full of Japanese anime posters and little props, so think of it less as a modern, stylish place and more as a casual Hongdae alley sushi spot where you can drop in comfortably.

Yu Iksang Sushi Couple A Plus: contents and price

The Couple A Plus at Yu Iksang Sushi is ₩56,000. Here's what comes in it.

• Salmon 2
• Flatfish 4
• Tuna 4
• Beef 4
• Egg aburi (torched sushi) 2
• Garlic shrimp aburi 4
• Mecha garlic aburi 2

How long is the long-tail sushi at Yu Iksang Sushi?

One of the keywords that defines Yu Iksang Sushi is its long-tail sushi. Having eaten it, I'd say it lives up to the reputation: the neta (fish topping) is about 5 times longer than on ordinary sushi.

The tail is so long that if you wrap it round and round, it almost becomes a gunkan-maki (battleship roll). If you're the "long, thick fish, always" type, you'll be happy eating at Yu Iksang Sushi.

The Couple A Plus is flatfish, salmon, tuna, beef, egg aburi, garlic shrimp aburi and mecha garlic aburi, 22 pieces in total. It's a set for 2 people, and rather than focusing on one type of sushi, you get fish sushi and aburi sushi in one go!

Couple A vs Couple A Plus at Yu Iksang Sushi: what's the difference?

At Yu Iksang Sushi, Couple A is ₩52,000 and Couple A Plus is ₩56,000, a ₩4,000 difference. Couple A centers on the basics like flatfish, salmon, tuna and shrimp, while Couple A Plus adds aburi pieces such as garlic shrimp, mecha garlic and egg.

Aburi sushi, if raw fish feels like too much

The aburi line at Yu Iksang Sushi uses torched toppings and sauces, so the flavor is clearly a different direction from the fresh-fish sushi. If you're going with someone who doesn't like raw fish, these smoky cooked pieces are a good choice.

Side dishes that come with the couple set at Yu Iksang Sushi

When you order the couple set at Yu Iksang Sushi, it's not only sushi that arrives. Sides like cabbage salad, fried shrimp, clear soup and cold soba noodles come too, so it's quite filling.

Who should try the Couple A Plus at Yu Iksang Sushi

Yu Iksang Sushi is a Hongdae sushi restaurant that sells fish cut longer than ordinary sushi along with a variety of aburi sushi, and I enjoyed the variety within a single set.

• You're curious about long-tail sushi in Hongdae
• You're looking for a sushi set for two near Hongik Univ. Station
• You want fish sushi and aburi sushi in one go