Free-corkage izakaya near Konkuk University Station, Seoul: Ito

If you're looking for a good-vibe izakaya bar near Konkuk, Ito is one I'd recommend.

From aged seasonal sashimi to kushikatsu, nabe hot pots, and specialty dishes, the menu is varied enough to suit anyone hunting for a good sashimi spot near Konkuk. And a bonus — it's a pet-friendly Konkuk izakaya! Small and medium dogs are welcome, though you'll need a leash or carrier, so keep that in mind if you're bringing your pup along.

Where is Ito, and where can you park?

Ito is about a 3-minute walk from Konkuk University Station Exit 2, so it's easy to get to. That said, the shop is on the basement level, so you'll need to head down a flight of stairs. I wondered at first if a basement izakaya might feel a bit stuffy, but they've apparently redone the ceiling and walls to cut down on that typical basement mustiness, and it feels pretty pleasant inside.

There's no dedicated parking lot for the restaurant, so if you're driving, you'll need to use a nearby lot. The closest option is Gana Parking, about 60 meters from the shop — worth noting if you're planning to drive. Paying through the Modu Parking app runs ₩7,000 for 2 hours and ₩14,000 for 4 hours.

Inside Ito: seating and whole-venue bookings

The moment you walk into Ito, you get that unmistakable izakaya atmosphere. There's a range of seating from bar tables to 4-person tables, and the overall vibe is cozy and warm — great for a date or drinks with friends. The Japanese izakaya mood is strong, which made pairing food and drinks even more enjoyable. Ito also offers private bookings, so if you're planning a group gathering, it's worth asking the staff about it.

What five of us ordered at Ito, and what it cost

Honestly, it was hard to pick from the menu. Sashimi, nabe, fried dishes, specialties, and lighter bites — so many options that I spent ages deciding. The 'Itohansang' mixed sashimi set menu is ₩63,000, and that looked pretty appealing too. Since there were five of us, we settled on mixed sashimi plus mille-feuille nabe, and added an extra sashimi portion since we had a big group. That extra portion is ₩15,000.

How Ito's free corkage works

Ito offers free corkage! 🍾 That said, ordering alcohol from the menu is required, so keep that in mind before you visit. The drinks menu covers highballs, fruit soju, sake, soju, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. And honestly, the free corkage was the thing I liked most about this place.

For the basic side dish, we got a simple bowl of green peas. Great little thing to pick at while chatting.

A friend thoughtfully brought along some hangover-relief jelly, so we were all set to start drinking even before the food arrived.

Aged seasonal sashimi platter and mille-feuille nabe

Mixed sashimi + mille-feuille nabe (millefeuille nabe, a layered vegetable-and-meat hot pot)

Finally, the main event — the aged seasonal mixed sashimi! As soon as it arrived, the variety made it fun to pick and choose. Red seabream, salmon, abalone, egg, tuna, flounder, sweet shrimp, monkfish liver (ankimo), and vinegared mackerel all sat together on one plate, so you could sample a bit of everything depending on your mood. With five of us and the extra portion added, the amount was generous and satisfying. This kind of assorted sashimi setup is perfect if you'd rather taste a little of everything instead of committing to just one dish. Highly recommend Ito if you're after a good sashimi spot near Konkuk with this kind of variety!

Every single piece was fresh and high quality.

The mille-feuille nabe we ordered alongside the sashimi exceeded expectations too. It's a hot pot dish made by layering fresh vegetables with beef delivered that same day, and the vegetables looked really good from the start. Mille-feuille nabe usually takes a lot of effort since the meat and vegetables have to be neatly stacked in layers, so it was nice to enjoy it already beautifully assembled.

Above all, the broth was rich and deep. The flavors drawn out from the vegetables and beef combined into something clean yet full of umami, and pairing it with the sashimi was a really good combo. If you're ordering the Ito set, I'd personally recommend going with mixed sashimi plus mille-feuille nabe.

Restrooms at Ito

The women's restroom at Ito is inside the basement-level shop, while the men's restroom requires the door code and is located up on the first floor. The restroom was stocked with dental floss, cotton swabs, and hand cream, which was a nice touch — small things, but they make a real difference for whoever's using them.

Who is Ito best for?

This is a place I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good-vibe izakaya bar near Konkuk. The aged seasonal mixed sashimi had great variety, making it fun to pick different pieces, and the mille-feuille nabe stood out for the quality of its vegetables and beef. The drinks menu is varied too — highballs, sake, fruit soju — but the biggest draw is the free corkage. Alcohol orders are required, but being able to enjoy your own bottle without a corkage fee is great for anyone wanting to pair a special drink with their meal.

It's also a pet-friendly Konkuk izakaya, so being able to bring along a small or medium dog felt like a real plus unique to Ito. If you're looking for somewhere with atmosphere for a date, drinks with friends, or a solid sashimi spot near Konkuk, I'd recommend Ito!