Jonggak izakaya team dinner: pork bossam and heart skewers at Ilsim

How do you shake off the stress after a busy, exhausting day at work? My favorite way is to sit down with coworkers or friends who get me, with good food and a cold drink, and just talk and talk. This time I found a really good place near my office to share with you. It's called Ilsim (일심), right in the center of Seoul. It's easy to get to, and the atmosphere and the quality of the food were so good that it was a perfect spot for a company dinner. ✨

Where is Ilsim, the Jonggak izakaya?

Ilsim's address is 204, 2F, 94 Building, 94 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It sits in a central area within easy walking distance of both Jonggak Station and Gwanghwamun Station, so it was a great place for everyone to gather after work. Find the building, take the elevator or stairs up to the 2nd floor, and you'll spot the neat storefront easily. If you check Naver Map, even first-timers shouldn't get lost.

What's the atmosphere inside Ilsim? Is it too noisy for a company dinner?

The interior is calm and stylish with soft lighting, and the moment I walked in the space felt really "upscale." When people say company dinner, you often picture a loud, chaotic barbecue place. Ilsim's calm, refined interior stood out completely. The soft lighting made it easy to focus on deep conversation with my group, and the neat table settings made me expect a properly made meal. It's a lovely space for anyone looking for a classy gathering or a clean, tidy Jonggak izakaya. 🥂

How were the radish and pork bossam at Ilsim?

The first main dish our group ordered at Ilsim was the pork bossam (boiled pork wraps) with braised radish (mu-jjim), and the hidden kick was the well-seasoned radish. As you can probably tell from the photos, it was overwhelming the moment it landed on the table. The bossam and radish were neatly arranged on a huge plate, and everyone gasped. The thick-cut pork bossam had no gamey smell at all, was tender and moist, and melted softly in the mouth.

The big chunks of radish were soaked through with a sweet, deep, salty seasoning, and it paired fantastically with the bossam pork. Topped to taste with crunchy radish sprouts and tangy pickled ginger, the richness of the meat was cut right away, making it a dangerously addictive snack to drink with.

Chicken thigh skewers, heart skewers and draft beer

After filling up on bossam, we added lighter bites: Ilsim's chicken thigh skewers and heart skewers. The grilled skewers were every bit as good as the main dish. A faint smoky grill aroma tickled the nose, and generous fresh scallions and nutty sesame seeds on top made them even more appetizing. The chicken thigh was chewy rather than dry and full of juice, and the heart skewers kept their signature bouncy, chewy texture, which made them fun to eat. 🍢

With a glass of draft beer that chills you to the bone, it felt like all the work stress weighing on my head all day was washed away in one go. 🍺

Why I recommend Ilsim for a Jonggak company dinner

Ilsim ticked all three boxes: great food, an upscale atmosphere that makes you feel looked after, and a convenient location for gathering. My coworkers all showered me with praise for picking such a good place, so we ended up with a very happy, successful company dinner. I confidently recommend it to anyone who wants a healing time with lovingly made food amid a hectic routine, and to junior employees who need to pick a company dinner spot with some flair. If you want to experience the charm of a premium Jonggak izakaya with seriously tasty snacks, do visit Ilsim. 👍

Next time I have a gathering with people dear to me, or an important dinner with another department, I'll book Ilsim again without hesitation. It was a happy, flawless evening at this Jonggak izakaya, a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds.