Hapjeong sushi izakaya for one: 12-piece salmon tower, Sushi Sakaba

This is a review that includes a self-paid visit (the writer paid for part of the meal).

Salmon sushi tastes good any time, doesn't it? I need to eat it regularly to keep my energy up. I like touring sushi places all over Seoul, and today I'm introducing a sushi izakaya with great salmon in Hapjeong near Hongdae: Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong!!

What kind of place is Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong?

Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong is a late-night sushi izakaya about a 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station, open until midnight every day. It used to be a Hapjeong sushi restaurant and has reopened after a renewal.

Going out for sushi always gets me excited~ And I was even more excited because I heard satisfaction is high here, since the owner-chef comes from fine dining. It's quiet and atmospheric, so it's also recommended as a date spot.

Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong menu and pricing

At Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong you can order sushi from 8 pieces, and at lunch there are good-value lunch set menus. Besides sushi, there are plenty of dishes: stir-fried brisket with bean sprouts, mulhoe (chilled raw fish soup), chicken karaage, sake-steamed clams, brisket yaki udon and more. The owner-chef trained in fine dining abroad, so the quality feels even more trustworthy at this Hapjeong izakaya sushi spot near Hongdae.

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

The restaurant is spread out widely on the 2nd floor, from an open terrace to large tables inside that can handle group gatherings, plus plenty of tables for 2 and 4. With the soft lighting and comfortable space the mood is lovely, and I saw people on blind dates and dates too. It would also be great for a solo lunch in such a moody spot~

How does the salmon tower sushi come out?

The salmon tower at Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong comes with 12 pieces of salmon sushi in 3 flavors, plus soup, salad and rakkyo (pickled scallions). Today I ordered the salmon tower!!! True to the name, the look of it rising tier by tier was overwhelming.

They say they bring in quality fish directly from the fish market every early morning, and seeing the glossy, bright pinkish-red salmon, you can tell how good it is. The rice looks wonderfully sticky too~ I hear they insist on Donguibogam rice. The nutty flavor of the rice as you chew makes me even hungrier.

There are three kinds of salmon: from the left, torched salmon, apple-sauce salmon and raw salmon!! Being able to enjoy three kinds at once makes this Hongdae-Hapjeong izakaya salmon even better. The salmon is so thick that you can barely see the rice. I love thick salmon so much.... ❤️

It's well aged, so there's no fishy smell and a nutty richness rises the moment you take a bite. Even with the same fish at the same price, sushi really varies hugely depending on the chef's aging method and trimming quality. You have to pick your places carefully!!

I also ate the tangy salad and warm soup in between to refresh my palate.

Raw salmon sushi: a thick piece dipped in light soy sauce

First, the raw salmon from the tower!!!!! You can tell from the photo alone how thick it is. Great sushi for an easy solo meal! There are lots of good places around Hapjeong Station, but Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong turned out to be the real deal.

Just dip it lightly in the soy sauce and the savory depth of the salmon gently rises and mixes with the nuttiness of the rice. It's real healing. Salmon is my favorite fish, probably because it's so soft and rich. What sushi do you like best, neighbors??

Apple-sauce salmon sushi: a fresh combination I'd never tried

Next, the apple-sauce salmon sushi!! I've mostly had salmon sushi with tartar sauce, so apple sauce is a first for me.

The freshness of apple comes up subtly and the onion gives a gentle crunch.... and somehow they go really well together. It's not a common flavor, but it has charm. It balances the rich, fatty salmon so there's no greasiness at all, a great pairing. Apple sauce passes!!

The salmon thickness overall is just crazy, right? Good value and good quality at this Hongdae-Hapjeong izakaya; next time I'll try the set menus and sides. The thicker, the tastier, as always. Adding wasabi to taste seems to give a more refined flavor. I prefer mine with wasabi!!

Torched salmon sushi: cream sauce and a smoky torch aroma

Last is the torched salmon sushi!!! A cheese-flavored sauce goes on top, and it's really creamy and boosts the savory depth. I thought it was apple sauce at first, but it was a rich cream sauce. It actually suits it even better.

The torching is just right, so a light smoky aroma comes through and the oil rises, an instant dopamine-popping, luxurious taste. Cooking makes the salmon's texture a little firmer, but it's still really thick… a very satisfying salmon sushi.

How was the salmon tower at Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong as a solo meal?

The salmon tower at Sushi Sakaba Hapjeong was a great way to enjoy thick salmon in three flavors all at once, even alone. I finished with a raw salmon piece with a little wasabi, dipped in soy sauce and eaten in one big bite!!! I crave sushi all four seasons. Why not have a glossy, well-aged piece of sushi today at Sushi Sakaba by Hapjeong Station?