Yeouido sushi and kaisendon restaurant: salmon sushi set lunch, Ilpum

Sushi for lunch in Yeouido: why Ilpum Yeouido Branch?

Ilpum Yeouido Branch (일품 여의도점) is a Japanese restaurant known around Yeouido for sushi and kaisendon, so I went to see for myself. Isn't picking a lunch spot in Yeouido harder than it sounds? There are so many restaurants, but once you walk in they all feel the same. Sushi and chirashi-style rice bowls in particular often disappoint for the price. So this time I went to a place famous for sushi in Yeouido.

Next to the entrance there was a sign saying the restaurant appeared as the first-broadcast featured eatery on KBS's 'Baedal Wassuda' (배달왔수다). It said famous TV personalities and actors have visited. Honestly, seeing that made my expectations shoot up.

Seating and how to order at Ilpum Yeouido Branch

Ilpum Yeouido Branch has separate table seats and counter seats, and group seating for up to 62 people, I was told. It's roomier inside than I expected.

I sat at the counter, where you can see right into the kitchen, so it was fun to watch. You order by scanning the QR code on the table, so there's no need to call a staff member over, which was convenient.

Starters: chawanmushi, miso soup and white kimchi

The starters come first: soft chawanmushi (savory steamed egg custard), miso soup, and baek-kimchi (white, non-spicy kimchi).

The chawanmushi was really soft. The spoon slid right in, and I was already in a good mood before the main dishes arrived.

What I ordered and the prices

I ordered two dishes at Ilpum Yeouido Branch.

• 🍣 Salmon sushi set: ₩28,000
• 🍱 Premium kaisendon: ₩37,000

What goes on the premium kaisendon?

The premium kaisendon (₩37,000) at Ilpum Yeouido Branch was much more generous in person than in the photos.

It's topped with lean tuna (akami) and fatty tuna belly, sweet shrimp, abalone, salmon and torched (aburi) salmon, grilled scallop, uni and salmon roe, and white fish.

In the back I could also see tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), lotus root chips, and crab meat.

There's a reason the premium kaisendon is Ilpum's signature dish.

Wrapping uni and salmon roe in nori

I put uni and salmon roe on the nori (seaweed) that came with the premium kaisendon and wrapped it up, and this combo is the best. You get the rich nuttiness and the popping texture together.

What's in the salmon sushi set?

The salmon sushi set (₩28,000) at Ilpum Yeouido Branch comes with a plate piled with raw salmon sushi and torched salmon. Perfect for salmon lovers.

The toppings differ slightly, so every piece tasted different. I can see why so many people pick the salmon sushi set when they want sushi in Yeouido.

Hot udon and a pudding dessert

I got to try hot udon too. Sipping the broth between pieces of cold sushi felt soothing on the stomach.

Dessert came at the end, too. A soft pudding was topped with something like a hongsi (ripe persimmon) sauce, a perfect palate cleanser.

Ilpum Yeouido Branch hours and parking

• Location: B1, Anwon Building, 25 Eunhaeng-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
• Open: Monday to Saturday / closed Sundays
• Lunch: 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:00)
• Break time: 15:00–17:30
• Dinner: 17:30–21:30 (last order 20:00)
• Parking: free for up to 2 hours (ground level, B2, B3)

Tips before you go

• You can book on Naver Reservation with no deposit
• Booking on Naver lets you request free corkage for up to 1 bottle
• Choose the birthday or pregnancy coupon to get 2 pieces of nigiri sushi
• If you have a seafood allergy, ingredients can be swapped
• When there's a wait, meals are limited to 1 hour 30 minutes

Team kaisendon or team sushi set?

At Ilpum Yeouido Branch, I loved both the generous premium kaisendon and the salmon sushi set. If you're looking for sushi in Yeouido, I recommend one kaisendon plus one sushi set. I've saved it as a place to come back to whenever I crave kaisendon in Yeouido. When you go to a sushi restaurant, are you team kaisendon or team sushi set?