Gwanghwamun sushi restaurant with tuna belly sashimi: Choe Uyeong
In short
Choe Uyeong Sushiya Jongno Branch is a budget-friendly sushi and sashimi restaurant a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Jongak Station, between Jongak and Gwanghwamun in Seoul. The order was the 19,000-won special sushi set with 20,000-won tuna belly sashimi and 11,000-won flounder sashimi over beer and soju, and it was good enough that bluefin tuna sashimi at 11,000 won and ankimo (monkfish liver) at 6,000 won were added. For price and quality when sushi or sashimi is the craving in Jongno or Gwanghwamun, Choe Uyeong Sushiya delivers.
Good to know
- Special sushi set
- 19,000 won (15 pieces)
- Tuna belly sashimi
- 20,000 won
- Flounder sashimi
- 11,000 won
- Bluefin tuna sashimi
- 11,000 won
- Ankimo (monkfish liver)
- 6,000 won
- Corkage
- 3,000 won per bottle
- Hours
- Daily 11:00–21:30, break 15:00–17:00, last order 21:00
- Location
- B1 Unit 104, 7 Jongno 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (3 min from Jongak Station Exit 1)
- Seating
- Solo, 4-person and 6-person seats, with a solo-dining zone
- Other
- Takeout, delivery and group dining available; separate men's and women's restrooms; no pets
as written by the visitor on Sep 13, 2026
Today I'm sharing my trip to Choe Uyeong Sushiya, a budget-friendly sushi spot near Gwanghwamun. It wasn't just affordable — the taste and quality were really satisfying too.
You know those days when sushi is all you can think about? Ordering sushi after work, dipping it in wasabi and soy sauce, and feeling that small burst of happiness with every bite.
Where is Choe Uyeong Sushiya Jongno Branch, and what are the hours?
Choe Uyeong Sushiya Jongno Branch is at B1 104, 7 Jongno 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, just 3 minutes from Exit 1 of Jongak Station. Sitting between Jongak and Gwanghwamun, it's convenient for both office workers and visitors.
It's open daily from 11:00 to 21:30, with a break from 15:00 to 17:00 and last order at 21:00. Takeout and group bookings are available, along with delivery, separate restrooms, and no pets allowed.
Menu prices and 3,000-won corkage at Choe Uyeong Sushiya
The menu includes an assorted sashimi platter and a special sashimi set, with sea bream, salmon, flounder, tuna belly, bluefin tuna, red shrimp, and cuttlefish sashimi all available by the piece with sushi too. Sushi sets range from Assorted, Special, Premium, and Ultra Premium to a chadolbagi (thin-sliced beef brisket) flame-seared sushi, plus kaisendon (seafood rice bowl), tempura, and sides.
At this Gwanghwamun sushi spot, corkage is just 3,000 won a bottle — a really cheap way to bring your own drinks.
Inside Choe Uyeong Sushiya: solo seats and group tables
Here's a look inside. Choe Uyeong Sushiya Jongno Branch has a variety of seating — 4-person, 6-person, and solo seats. Plenty of people were stopping in solo after work, while groups of six or seven were also coming in for dinner gatherings.
I liked how spacious and pleasant the space felt. The solo-dining zone in particular was really well set up, making it easy to eat alone without feeling awkward.
First came the broth, wasabi, and wet wipes. The broth was piping hot — perfect for this chilly weather!
What we ordered: special sushi set, tuna belly and flounder sashimi
This Gwanghwamun sushi spot uses house-made soy sauce, and it had great umami without being too salty.
Today's order was the special sushi set, tuna belly sashimi, and flounder sashimi. And of course, if it tasted good, an extra order was coming right up.
I'd been craving beer since yesterday, so I ordered a bottle of beer and a bottle of soju. Poured a full glass into that fancy beer mug and drank until my throat burned. Ahh — this is exactly what an after-work beer should taste like!
Special sushi set, 19,000 won for 15 pieces
The special sushi set (19,000 won) comes with 15 different types of sushi, and the lineup is genuinely solid. With prices going up everywhere, a basic meal these days runs 12,000 to 15,000 won. Getting this much sushi at this quality for 19,000 won is... seriously great value!
Tuna belly sashimi 20,000 won and flounder sashimi 11,000 won
Tuna belly sashimi (20,000 won) and flounder sashimi (11,000 won). The slices weren't thin — they were thick and really sizeable. The tuna belly especially melted in my mouth. Better than plenty of dedicated tuna specialty restaurants.
Just two menu items and the table already felt full. This is exactly why Choe Uyeong Sushiya is such a great-value sushi spot near Gwanghwamun. If a place like this were near my office I'd come all the time...
Dipped a piece in soy sauce, added a little wasabi, and — wow!!! This solid a spread, this good a value, and it tastes amazing too! Choe Uyeong Sushiya nails both flavor and value.
Dipped the thick-cut flounder sashimi generously into chojang (vinegar chili sauce) and took a big bite. Great umami, great texture — really delicious.
Egg sushi and eel sushi at Choe Uyeong Sushiya
The egg sushi and eel sushi were both fantastic too. Egg sushi is usually too sweet for me so I don't often eat it, but this one had just the right amount of sweetness.
Second round: bluefin tuna sashimi and ankimo
With food this good, how could I not order more? So I did — bluefin tuna sashimi (11,000 won) and ankimo (6,000 won).
I thought I'd finished everything, and yet another spread appeared. Ah, happiness! Haha. Look at that portion of ankimo — it's like they scooped it out with a rice paddle, so generous. Rich and full of umami — I would have really regretted skipping it.
The bluefin tuna sashimi was pleasantly fatty and delicious too. It melts away the moment you bite into it.
Is Choe Uyeong Sushiya worth it for sushi in Jongno or Gwanghwamun?
Once again, I cleaned my plate completely. It was so delicious. Great value, and the quality was really satisfying.
If I'm craving sashimi or sushi in Jongno or Gwanghwamun, Choe Uyeong Sushiya is where I'm headed, no question. Highly, highly recommend!
Where it is
B1 104, 7 Jongno 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 종로구 종로5길 7 지하1층 104호
