# Seolleung izakaya counter for crab meat kanikko and abalone: Sakai - By Sora M. (https://superchart.com/en/@porcelain-plate-stops/) - Written Sep 14, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangnam, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@porcelain-plate-stops/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@porcelain-plate-stops/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/index.md) ## In short Sakai is a sushi bar izakaya on Yeoksam-ro 67-gil near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, built around counter (dachi) seating. The order at Sakai covered boiled octopus, black cod and pufferfish sashimi, sea urchin and salmon roe snacks, an 8-piece sushi set, king crab meat with kanikko (crab innards) at 27,000 won and steamed abalone in sake at 23,000 won. Sakai works better for checking the day's fish with your own eyes and ordering à la carte than for a set course. ## Good to know - **Location**: 1F, Unit 101, 15 Yeoksam-ro 67-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (near Seolleung Station) - **King crab meat with kanikko**: 27,000 won - **Steamed abalone in sake**: 23,000 won - **Sashimi**: Market price by cut, listed around 2,900–5,300 won - **Seating**: Mainly counter (dachi) seats, suited to groups of 2–4 - **Reservations**: Recommended, given the counter-seat layout - **Price reference**: ₩2,900 ≈ $2.2 · ₩5,300 ≈ $3.9 · ₩20,000 ≈ $15 (2026-09-15) *as written by the visitor on Sep 14, 2026* You know those days when you just want one proper drink and one solid dish to go with it after work? I found a good spot for exactly that near Seolleung Station. It's called Sakai, a sushi bar-style izakaya where you sit at the counter (dachi) and watch the chef prepare everything right in front of you — that's half the fun. ![Counter seating view at Sakai, a sushi bar izakaya near Seolleung Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-01-161vz-1200.webp) ## What is the counter seating at Sakai like? Sakai is a sushi bar izakaya on the first floor of a building on Yeoksam-ro 67-gil near Seolleung Station. Walk in and the first things you notice are the softly lit paper lanterns and the lattice windows that give off a hanok (traditional Korean house) feel. ![Interior of Sakai with softly lit paper lanterns](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-02-1qd2q-900.webp) ![Sakai's interior with hanok-style lattice windows](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-03-1ocak-900.webp) ![Warmly lit counter seating at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-04-1ofcw-900.webp) ![Wooden tables inside Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-05-gtb0h-900.webp) ![Lighting and interior details at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-06-905n7-900.webp) ![Wide shot of Sakai's interior](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-07-16w1m-900.webp) Behind the counter sit two chefs, so you can watch your order get prepped and plated right in front of you as soon as you order it. ![Chef preparing ingredients behind the counter at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-08-cwedh-900.webp) ![Handwritten notes listing the day's fish and prices](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-09-v34rf-900.webp) ![View of the kitchen area from the counter seats at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-10-17n3h-m-900.webp) The wooden tables and warm lighting make it comfortable whether you're going solo or with a group. On the counter, notes are pinned up listing that day's fish and prices, which I liked — you get to see exactly what's fresh that day. ## What we ordered at Sakai On this visit at the counter we had boiled octopus, black cod and pufferfish sashimi, sea urchin and salmon roe snacks, an 8-piece sushi set, and king crab meat kanicko with steamed abalone in sake. Here's the order we ate them in. ![Plate of boiled octopus with mustard vinegar sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-11-2obbx-900.webp) ![White fish sashimi with sea urchin and salmon roe snacks](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-12-z5uye-900.webp) ### 1. Boiled octopus We opened with boiled octopus legs dipped in mustard vinegar sauce. The chewy, springy texture made it the perfect first bite with a drink. ### 2. Black cod and pufferfish sashimi Thin slices of white fish served with wasabi and vinegared red pepper paste. The clean, light flavor worked well both as a starter and as a palate cleanser. ### 3. Sea urchin and salmon roe snacks A one-bite dish piled high with plump sea urchin and glistening salmon roe — rich in aroma and texture, and great paired with a drink. ### 4. The 8-piece sushi set A plate with a good mix: tamago (rolled egg), flounder, salmon, needlefish, shrimp, and scallop. Pickled ginger was served generously on the side to reset the palate between bites. The tamago sushi wrapped with a strip of seaweed had a quietly strong presence. ### 5. King crab meat with kanikko (27,000 won) and steamed abalone in sake (23,000 won) ![Plate of king crab meat and kanicko at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-13-xol72-900.webp) ![Steamed abalone with a subtle sake aroma](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-14-vprcv-900.webp) These were recommended by a friend who joined me that day. The king crab meat was picked cleanly along its natural strands, so it was great even without sauce, and the steamed abalone had a subtle sake aroma with a satisfying chew. ## Sakai prices and tips before you go Looking at Sakai's menu, sashimi is priced by cut at around ₩2,900–₩5,300, market price, while dishes like king crab or abalone run in the high ₩20,000s — the menu is built more for à la carte ordering than for a set course. Two people sharing 4–5 snacks with drinks at the counter can eat well without spending too much per person. ## Is Sakai worth it as an izakaya near Seolleung Station? ![8-piece sushi set plate at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-15-jny9d-900.webp) ![A piece of tamago sushi wrapped with seaweed](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-16-12zlp-900.webp) ![Sushi plate served with pickled ginger](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-17-16z80-900.webp) ![Snacks and drinks laid out at the counter seats at Sakai](https://img.superchart.com/images/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar-18-3toxg-900.webp) Rather than a flashy set course, Sakai works on the principle of seeing the day's good ingredients at the counter and ordering directly, which suits anyone who wants to judge freshness with their own eyes. It's comfortable for a solo drink or a small get-together, so if you're looking for an izakaya around Seolleung Station, it's worth a visit. - 📍 Location: near Seolleung Station - 🕐 Given the counter-seat setup, a reservation is recommended before visiting. ## Who Sakai suits best Since counter seating is the main format at Sakai, it suits small groups of 2–4 better than a large gathering. You're close enough to make eye contact with the chef and ask about the day's ingredients, which actually makes for good conversation. I'd recommend it less for a company dinner and more for sharing a relaxed drink with someone close to you, or enjoying a good dish quietly on your own. It's also an easy distance from Seolleung Station, making it a nice, low-effort stop after work. ## Where it is - Sakai (사카이) - 1F, 15 Yeoksam-ro 67-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강남구 역삼로67길 15 1층 101호 - 37.5023593, 127.0528285 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%82%AC%EC%B9%B4%EC%9D%B4/@37.5023593,127.0528285,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@porcelain-plate-stops/sakai-seolleung-counter-seat-sushi-bar/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt