Japanese restaurant in Geumcheon, Seoul: premium bento lunch at Gapposo

On a day when I took a half-day off in the afternoon, I was in such a good mood that I wanted a properly composed Japanese lunch, so I visited the premium Japanese dining restaurant Gapposo.

Gapposo hours and parking

• Weekdays 11:30–22:00
• Saturday 11:00–20:00
• Closed every Sunday
• Last order: 30 minutes before closing
• Break time 15:00–17:00
• 2 hours free in the Hyundai Terra DK Tower underground parking lot
• Corkage available; no alcohol restrictions.
• With a course menu, one bottle per table is free; additional bottles are ₩30,000 each.

The restaurant is not huge, but the overall atmosphere is calm and neat. Even though I went after lunchtime, it was full.

When I came out after finishing, I was the only one left, so I took a photo. The table settings were clean and the food looked refined, so it seems like a great fit for family meals, important appointments, or light business entertaining too.

Above all, the staff are truly kind. From explaining the menu to attending to what I needed during the meal, they looked after me thoughtfully, so I could eat comfortably even on my first visit.

What comes with Premium Bento 52

The menu I ordered that day was the ₩52,000 Premium Bento. Its large bento box is divided into several sections and packed with sashimi, kaisendon (seafood rice bowl), grilled eel, grilled fish, tempura, and assorted seafood dishes.

Before the meal begins, warm, nutty black sesame porridge arrives first. Its smooth texture goes down easily, gently warming the stomach and nicely opening the appetite before the bento.

It was not only varied; every ingredient was fresh and carefully prepared, so the sense of quality came through the moment the menu arrived. I was honestly surprised by how luxurious the bento was. It was the kind of portion and spread that made me wonder, how am I going to finish this?

Thick-cut, tender sashimi

The sashimi is what first catches your eye in the Premium Bento. Tuna, salmon, white fish, and more are cut thickly, and their vivid colors already signal freshness.

The tuna was tender and clean-tasting, while the salmon had a rich, oily nuttiness. I do not usually like red-fleshed fish much and do not often eat tuna sashimi, but this was incredibly tender and delicious.

The white fish had a springy, pleasantly chewy texture, with a subtle sweetness that emerged as I chewed. Overall, I felt the sashimi quality and freshness were exceptionally high.

Kaisendon and eel rice bowl

With Premium Bento 52, you can choose sushi or kaisendon, and I chose the kaisendon. Rice is generously topped with tuna, salmon, white fish, and other seafood.

Flying fish roe adds a savory umami note and a deep ocean aroma. Taking a spoonful with several ingredients together was especially delicious, with softness, springiness, and nuttiness all at once.

With the kaisendon, they give you a little brush and explain that you can dip it in soy sauce and brush it over the sashimi.

The glossy eel rice bowl was thoroughly infused with a sweet-salty sauce. Its surface was appetizingly grilled, while the flesh inside was tender enough to separate easily with chopsticks. Eaten with the accompanying egg and shredded ginger, the eel's deep flavor remains while the finish becomes clean, without feeling heavy.

When my palate started to tire from eating raw fish continuously, the eel rice bowl refreshed it and let me keep going.

Grilled mero and tempura that exceeded expectations

And then there was the grilled mero, which I had not expected much from but was truly delicious. The outside was golden, and the flesh was very moist. The mild fish was paired with a nutty sauce, giving it plenty of flavor without being overpowering.

The vegetables were grilled alongside it, and they were another treat; the sauce drizzled over everything was nutty and so good too. I wanted a refill.

The tempura section held plenty of shrimp and assorted vegetable tempura. The batter was light and crisp while the ingredients stayed moist inside, making it delicious without greasiness.

There were shrimp tempura, mushroom tempura, shishito pepper tempura, eggplant tempura, and fried chicken. The shrimp and mushroom tempura were especially delicious.

Seafood sides and mini udon

The section with seafood and side dishes included chewy sea snail and tender seafood. Even the smallest item did not feel ordinary; the textures and seasoning were finely balanced.

Perhaps squid? It was chewy and fresh, with a strong sea aroma.

Whether it was sea snail or whelk, it was really plump and tasty. It was so large that it was almost difficult to put in my mouth and chew in one bite. Move over, canned whelks~~

The mini udon that comes with it has plenty of seaweed and noodles, with a clear, mild broth. The warm soup cleanses the palate between the sashimi and tempura, making it a great match for the bento.

The Premium Bento is not simply a collection of dishes in one box; every section feels complete as a dish of its own. The seafood is fresh, the grilled items and tempura are well prepared, and the seasoning is not excessive, so I enjoyed it right to the end. Considering the variety, ingredients, and quality, it felt like a meal where you are properly treated, and the staff's warm service made the visit even more positive. I recommend Gapposo if you are looking for refined, neatly presented Japanese food or a restaurant suited to an important occasion.