Seolleung Station sushi spot, Saturday solo beef tartare: Sushi Ian N

I had a Saturday morning errand to run near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, all by myself, and just heading straight home afterward felt like such a waste haha. So I searched for good, affordable restaurants nearby and ended up at Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station, a cheap-and-good spot near the station.

• 🚩 Location: 3-minute walk from Seolleung Station
• 🅿️ Parking: Available (parking ticket provided if full)
• 📌 Solo dining OK 📌 Venue rental available 📌 Local currency accepted

Sushi Ian N near Seolleung Station: why every plate is 1,990 won

The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the building. Just like the sign says, every plate at Sushi Ian N costs ₩1,990 — an incredible value in these high-inflation times haha. No wonder so many branches of this chain are popping up everywhere lately.

There's an elevator, but since it's only one flight up, I just took the stairs.

Saturday 2pm at Sushi Ian N: no wait, solo at the counter

Since I visited on a Saturday at 2pm, there was no wait, but as a great-value spot, Sushi Ian N does get lines during mealtimes. That's why there's a waiting area off to the side with phone chargers for customers.

There were big table seats good for groups or families, and plenty of counter seats that are more comfortable for solo diners or small groups.

Since I came alone, I sat at the counter haha. It had been a while since I'd eaten out solo, and the counter made it even more comfortable — plus it's easy to pick sushi right in front of you haha.

They're also running a Naver review event right now. It doesn't take long, so definitely write a review and get a free plate of sushi haha.

Conveyor belt or made to order at Sushi Ian N — still 1,990 won

Sushi Ian N near Seolleung Station is a conveyor-belt sushi place, but you can also order dishes separately. Makes sense, since things like udon or chilled soba can't exactly ride around on a rail haha.

They set out miso soup right away, and soy sauce, wasabi, pickled radish, and ginger were all on the table, so I could help myself to as much as I wanted.

One reason I love Japanese restaurants — I'm a huge fan of pickled radish (rakkyo) haha. I really love vinegar, and rakkyo has that tangy edge that just totally suits my taste haha.

With soy sauce and rakkyo sorted, it was time to get serious about picking sushi. First I scanned the belt to see what was circling around haha.

While watching the rail, a sign for free green tea caught my eye haha. I'm not a big green tea drinker so I didn't ask for any, but if you like it, definitely ask the staff — it's free.

There's sushi circling on the belt, but you can also order directly from the menu at the same ₩1,990 price. I ate what was on the belt but ordered a few specific things I really wanted separately.

From salmon tartare rolls to beef tartare nigiri

First up on the belt was the salmon beef tartare roll. It looked so good, it immediately caught my eye haha.

The sushi was bigger than expected, so I ate the rice and salmon first and saved the beef tartare for last haha. Sushi Ian N may be a budget sushi spot, but the quality is anything but cheap. The beef tartare was so chewy and delicious.

You can't skip flounder nigiri when it comes to sushi. I requested this one separately. As always, flounder nigiri never disappoints. The flounder had a clean, chewy texture that was really tasty.

The flounder was so good I ordered the flounder fin nigiri too. Since the flounder itself was excellent, the fin was incredible as well haha.

Rivaling the flounder nigiri was the salmon nigiri. The salmon was fresh, thick and generous, with great texture and taste haha.

Can't skip eel nigiri either haha. I don't think I've ever had bad eel nigiri anywhere in my life haha. It's always at least decent, but the eel nigiri at Sushi Ian N was especially good.

Beef tartare tataki, scallop, octopus wasabi. Nothing here disappointed, but personally the octopus wasabi was really something. That sharp kick up the nose almost feels like it helps digestion?? haha.

Beef tartare sushi. The beef tartare in that first salmon roll was so fresh and delicious that I ordered a plate of straight-up beef tartare sushi separately. And yes — absolutely delicious!! It tastes like it could pass for a specialty beef tartare restaurant, and I honestly don't know how they make any profit piling on this much tartare for ₩1,990 a plate haha.

Egg with pork belly, seasoned pork belly bossam sushi, bacon shrimp. Maybe because the pork belly and bossam ones are seasonal menu items, they felt extra delicious — melted right in my mouth haha.

Fried shrimp and cold soba to finish the meal

Once I'd filled up decently on sushi, I tried some fried shrimp as a palate cleanser. The batter was crispy and the shrimp were big, giving it a great bite — really tasty haha.

Next up for a palate cleanser was the chilled soba. I've had chilled soba plenty of times, but this is the first place I've seen add fried shrimp on top haha.

The sushi was incredible, but the chilled soba was seriously delicious too. The noodles were chewy and the broth was refreshing and slightly sweet — a great way to cleanse the palate.

Is Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station worth it for solo diners?

Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station lets you pick and choose quality sushi at ₩1,990 a plate. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly restaurant near Seolleung Station, or somewhere for a date, a group hangout, or a work dinner, I really recommend it!!

feat. takeout is also available