Torched sashimi kaisendon at a Hapjeong restaurant: Makise Hapjeong

Where is Makise Hapjeong, and how do you walk there from Hapjeong Station?

Makise Hapjeong is a 6-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 8. Finding it wasn't hard at all! Following the map, you'll spot Makise Hapjeong right away — the entrance already gives off a warm vibe 💫 From the first impression, I loved that even amid Hapjeong's usual lively energy, this place felt relatively relaxed for a proper sit-down meal!

The interior is cozy, clean, and calm — a great fit for a date, a small gathering, or a special-occasion meal! The atmosphere made it easy to eat slowly and comfortably.

What else is on the Makise Hapjeong menu besides kaisendon?

Makise Hapjeong, a well-known kaisendon spot in Seoul, apparently takes its name from the Japanese word 'omakase' (meaning 'I'll leave it to you'), reworked into a Korean-style pun on 'entrusting.' True to its slogan of 'a bowl of spoon-eaten sushi omakase,' the signature menu is the kaisendon, made with fresh seafood you build into sushi bites yourself.

Beyond kaisendon, there's also sakedon, a limited-run mackerel bone sushi, and a seasonal buri (yellowtail) bowl, plus side dishes like fried shrimp, cheese fries, and chicken karaage that go great alongside! Cheese fries are also sold as a set menu.

First look at the Makise Hapjeong kaisendon and its Koshihikari rice

Even the water was barley tea, which I liked. They first brought out a light broth, and then the kaisendon I'd ordered arrived! It looked stunning from the very first glance ✨ The dish is built around a variety of seafood and seasonal ingredients, and you could really tell they cared about plating as much as taste!

The sashimi and seafood were piled on generously, and every piece felt carefully placed! The whole bowl was packed with good stuff. And for kaisendon and sushi, one of the most important factors is the rice — Makise Hapjeong uses the 'Koshihikari' variety for its soft texture, they said. Maybe that's why even the rice alone tasted great!

Is the uni add-on worth ordering?

I added uni to my Makise Hapjeong kaisendon! The soft, creamy texture and rich, savory flavor made the bowl feel that much more indulgent haha. Especially paired with the rice, the deep signature taste of uni really came through — I definitely think it was worth adding!

Free gim, hair ties and a table guide on how to eat it

Makise Hapjeong gives you gim (seaweed sheets) as standard, and I was touched they even provided a hair tie — such a thoughtful touch! There were kind instructions for how to eat right on the table, so I just followed along!

How to eat the ankimo and gim together

Instead of mixing wasabi into soy sauce, I put rice and wasabi on the spoon first, then topped it with sashimi and ate it like sushi! I'd had ankimo (monkfish liver) wrapped in a maki roll somewhere else before and remembered loving it, so I wrapped rice and ankimo in the gim that came with the meal. Sure enough, this combo was such a great match. An absolutely can't-miss combo!

How fresh is the sashimi, and how does the torch-seared sashimi taste?

The sashimi and seafood in the Makise Hapjeong kaisendon were, overall, all fresh with no fishy taste — a flavor anyone can enjoy. Each ingredient had a different texture, which made it fun to pick through one by one. The salmon wasn't just plain raw salmon either, it came in different preparations, which I liked, and among them was a piece of sashimi torched on the outside — I'm not exactly sure what fish it was, but the smoky flavor was honestly insane ㅠ

A delicious meal in a calm, comfortable setting — Hapjeong sushi, if you're looking for a great kaisendon spot in Seoul or near Hongdae, I'd recommend Makise Hapjeong 🩵

Makise Hapjeong opening hours and closing day

• Hours: Tue–Sun 11:30–21:00
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Last order: 20:30
• Closed on Mondays