Garak Market Station sashimi: yellowtail sliced by cut, Ilwol Susan

When the weather turns chilly, the first seasonal raw fish that comes to mind is yellowtail, right? To enjoy fresh, thick-cut seasonal sashimi properly, I went to Ilwol Susan (일월수산) in Garak Mall at Garak Market. It's a spot regulars recommend, and I was very happy with everything from freshness to quality.

Where is Ilwol Susan in Garak Mall, and is it easy to find?

Ilwol Susan is in Unit 15 of Building C on the first-floor seafood floor of Garak Mall. Get off at Garak Market Station and head toward the Garak Mall seafood market, and it's not hard to find. It's right there when you come up the escalator, so it was easy to spot. They also offer parking support, so it looks convenient by car too.

Atmosphere and hygiene of the Garak Mall seafood floor

When you think of a fish market, you tend to picture wet floors and a chaotic vibe, but even though it's a seafood section inside a market, Garak Mall is pleasant and the walkways are tidy.

The area around Ilwol Susan, from the fish tanks to the display counters, was kept really clean, so I felt reassured about hygiene too.

Just like the sign saying they use only carefully selected live fish every day and put freshness and quality first, the fish in the tanks were full of energy, and you could see the freshness with your own eyes.

What are the price and contents of Ilwol Susan's Jigubanggwangchamhoe set?

This time I ordered the 2-person set of 'Jigubanggwangchamhoe' (extra-large yellowtail / large flounder / large sea bream), one of Ilwol Susan's signature combinations. It lets you taste a good variety of seasonal live fish.

The price is ₩80,000 for 2 people. Sets are broken down by group size, from ₩45,000 for 1 person to 2–3, 3–4 and 4–5 people, so it's easy to pick one to match your group. There are plenty of combinations too, so choose what suits your taste!

We got it to go so we could eat comfortably at home. And the sashimi came in such a pretty pink bag!

How did the extra-large yellowtail, large flounder and large sea bream taste?

From the look of it, the thickness and grain of the sashimi, sliced tightly to fill the plate, were truly a work of art. The radish sprouts, sliced garlic, fresh wasabi and rakkyo (pickled scallion bulbs) they packed along were neatly arranged too, which was very pleasing to see.

Extra-large yellowtail, cut by cut in season

The extra-large yellowtail was in season and packed with fat, and they cut a variety of parts for us, from the richest, most savory cuts to chewy special cuts, so there's no time to get tired of it.

The softness that melts the moment it hits your mouth and the deep flavor that's typical of yellowtail were no joke.

I put a little radish sprout and wasabi on a piece of gim (roasted seaweed) and dipped it in the sesame oil dip (gireumjang), and the melting softness and deep flavor in my mouth were no joke.

Alternating large flounder and large sea bream between the yellowtail

If you only eat yellowtail you can get a little tired of it, but the springy large flounder and the firm, chewy large sea bream mixed in made it a perfect combination to alternate between.

The slices weren't too thin but nicely thick, and the more I chewed, the more savory depth and sweetness came out. It reminded me again that a raw fish restaurant's quality comes down to the freshness and thickness of the fish.

Tips for visiting Ilwol Susan at Garak Market

Just like the shop's introduction promising to repay you with flavor true to the basics of freshness, thickness and generous portions, I enjoyed every piece to the very last, fresh and delicious.

• Since it's a popular raw fish restaurant at Garak Market, weekends and holidays can get crowded, so check the timing and allow yourself some extra time.
• Ordering by phone ahead of time and then picking it up also seems like a good option!

Considering prices these days, being able to enjoy a generous platter of extra-large yellowtail sashimi of this thickness and quality was more than satisfying in terms of value too. If you want a proper spread of fresh seasonal sashimi and thick-cut yellowtail, definitely stop by Ilwol Susan in Garak Mall at Garak Market!