Japanese dining in Seocho, Seoul for hitsumabushi: Bunko Dining

Finding Bunko Dining from Sadang Station

Bunko Dining Sadang (분코다이닝 사당점) was only about a 2–3 minute walk from Exit 11 of Sadang Station, so it was really easy to find! The sign is not very large and it is on the second floor, though, so make sure to follow the map carefully haha.

An atmosphere for solo meals to groups of six

The moment I walked in, I was surprised by the atmosphere first. The upscale furniture and lighting arrangement, along with the calm yet stylish interior, really stood out.

Even if you come alone, you can enjoy a seat at the bar table, and there are large tables for up to six people, so it would be just right for a slightly awkward-to-place group of five or six too!

Lunch and dinner menu lineup

Here is the Bunko Dining menu. Bunko Dining Sadang is known for its kaisendon and hitsumabushi lunch dishes. There was also a signature course where you could enjoy all of Bunko's signature dishes~

Of course, the dinner menu had Bunko's signature dishes as well as smaller plates that would be great with drinks.

There was also a very well-rounded drinks list, with a variety of sake, highballs, whisky, and Korean traditional liquor chosen to pair well with the food.

There were also helpful instructions on how to properly enjoy the hitsumabushi and kaisendon haha.

Kaisendon mixed with house soy sauce

The first dish I want to introduce is the kaisendon (seafood rice bowl)! Everything was presented so neatly and elegantly that it made me feel treated, which naturally put me in a good mood.

It was Tokyo-style kaisendon piled high with assorted seafood including chopped tuna, octopus, uni, and salmon roe, served to be enjoyed by pouring over the house seasoned soy sauce.

After giving it a good mix and eating it in one bite, all the different ingredients came together and each of their charms seemed to burst out. It was also really delicious eaten with the seaweed served alongside.

Hitsumabushi enjoyed three ways

The next dish is hitsumabushi (grilled eel rice bowl)! Like the kaisendon, the hitsumabushi arrived neatly and elegantly presented~

It looked incredible, with so much of this thick, large eel on top! The price might seem a little high for one meal, but once you see this presentation, you really feel it is worth the money.

Even with just the thick grilled eel and a dab of wasabi on plain white rice, the eel's own rich flavor came through so deliciously. Adding toppings such as perilla leaf and shredded seaweed made the range of flavors feel even fuller!

Lastly, I portioned some rice and eel into a bowl, poured in the sea bream broth, and tried it as ochazuke (rice in savory tea-style broth). It was light yet so, so, so full of umami.

Side dishes beyond the mains

Beyond the main kaisendon and hitsumabushi, every dish felt refined and impressively high quality, starting with this very thick, large, chewy sashimi!

There was shrimp tempura, crisp outside and full of plump flesh, plus cream cheese–dried persimmon rolls that were great as a dessert after the meal!

Even the salad at Bunko Dining Sadang had the flavor and elegant presentation of fine dining!!

So that was my truly delicious meal at Bunko Dining, a great Sadang lunch spot~ I was so, so satisfied that I strongly recommend you visit at least once too!