Gwangjin izakaya with partitioned seats and sashimi: Ito

I went to Ito (이토), a Gwangjin izakaya, with my husband and younger brother. Each table had a partition, which made conversation easy, and I liked that we could order assorted sashimi and a chicken hot pot together. The owner and staff were also friendly.

How do you get there from Konkuk University Station?

Ito is about a two-minute walk from Exit 2 of Konkuk University Station. The address is 22 Achasan-ro 33-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, basement level.

The hours listed when I visited were 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day, and the restaurant was closed every Monday. The restaurant did not have parking, so visitors were directed to nearby parking lots.

Is it good for conversation on a blind date or regular date?

After going down about half a floor from the entrance, I found a cozy space. Although it was underground, the ceiling was high, and the interior was clean.

There were partitions at each table, so it was easy to talk with my group. The lighting was also soft, and I felt it would suit a blind date or a regular date.

We visited around 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday, and the seats filled quickly after 6 p.m. If you have an important appointment, it would be a good idea to make a reservation in advance.

The restaurant’s information listed bar tables, couple seats, and group seating, along with Naver reservations and private venue rental. Corkage was free, and Wi-Fi was available. It was a no-kids zone, and small and medium-sized dogs were allowed.

What did three people order, and how much did it cost?

The menu included everything from sashimi and hot pots to fried dishes and udon. There were options for a first drinks outing that included a meal, as well as a second stop with dishes to share alongside drinks.

We ordered the assorted sashimi and mizutaki set, added one serving of sashimi, and also ordered Napolitan udon. These were the dishes and prices we ordered during our visit.

• Assorted sashimi + mizutaki set: ₩63,000
• Extra serving of sashimi: ₩15,000
• Napolitan udon: ₩21,000
• Earl Grey highball: ₩7,000
• Draft beer: ₩5,000 per glass; 5 glasses ordered
• Jinro: ₩5,500 per bottle; 3 bottles ordered

The Earl Grey highball was sweet, with a strong Earl Grey flavor. The drinks included soju, beer, highballs, and sake, and soft drinks were also available.

The complimentary starter was beans.

What came with the assorted sashimi?

We added one serving of sashimi for ₩15,000. The assorted sashimi I ate came with salmon, botan shrimp, abalone, tuna, yellowtail, mackerel, sea bream, ankimo, and egg.

I also liked that sushi rice came with it. I put the thick salmon on the rice and ate it like sushi, and the salmon felt soft and melting.

Each fish had a different flavor and texture, so it was fun to alternate between them. The chewy texture of the sea bream stood out to me in particular.

When I ate the mackerel, it was savory without a fishy smell, and the abalone went well with the rich geu sauce served on top. Overall, everything felt fresh, and I enjoyed the sashimi.

How were the mizutaki broth and chicken?

Mizutaki is a Japanese-style chicken hot pot. It contained a generous amount of chicken, several kinds of mushrooms, cabbage, and other vegetables.

The broth was clear and mild, but it had a deep chicken flavor and savory umami. It was not overpowering, so I kept taking spoonfuls, and the chicken was tender. The mushrooms and cabbage added more variety to the texture.

I liked the set because I could have a warm broth alongside the sashimi.

Was the Napolitan udon a filling dish to share with drinks?

I wanted something spicy and starchy, so we added the Napolitan udon.

The sweet-and-tangy tomato sauce went well with the springy udon noodles. The sauce had soaked into the noodles, so I kept reaching for more.

We dipped the bread that came with it into the sauce. There were also plump shrimp, making it a filling dish to share with drinks.

That day, we were given pineapple sherbet as a service, which we ate as a palate cleanser. I liked the soft lighting and partitioned seats, but I was also satisfied with the meal of sashimi and hot pot.