Sushi & beer restaurant in Yeouido: loaded gunkan sushi trio, Ilpum

I was looking for somewhere to eat in Yeouido and had a huge sushi craving, so I headed to Ilpum Yeouido Branch (일품 여의도점) haha. I already love sashimi and sushi, and I search for Yeouido sushi spots a lot, but this one left me wanting to come back right after eating. The portions were generous and the set was great, so I left totally full!

Where is Ilpum Yeouido Branch, and what are the hours?

Ilpum Yeouido Branch is very close to National Assembly Station Exit 3! And it's near a bus stop too!!

Ilpum Yeouido Branch: Mon-Sun 11:00-21:30 / Break time 15:00-17:00 / Closed every Sunday

Atmosphere and seating at Ilpum Yeouido Branch

The restaurant is in the building's basement food court. I assumed a basement place wouldn't be very big, but once I went down it was roomier than I expected~ I could see why so many office workers looking for a Yeouido sushi spot come here. It's easy to reach and a no-stress location for lunch!

Inside, there are both counter seats (닷찌석, dacchi-seok) and table seats. Solo diners sat at the counter, while groups ate at the tables. The space is quite large with plenty of seats, so it didn't feel stuffy at all. There were lots of solo diners, and I also saw many office gatherings and group meals.

The countless signatures from celebrities were proof this is a popular spot..!! It made me even more excited.

We sat at the counter!

Ilpum Yeouido Branch menu and what we ordered

The menu is really varied, with sushi, rice bowls, sashimi and more, and single items come in half portions too, so you can try a bit of everything. The drink list is wide too!!

• Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl)
• Gunkan sushi (battleship-style sushi), 3 kinds
• Maguro (tuna) sushi, 3 kinds
• Asahi draft beer

First up: miso soup, chawanmushi and white kimchi

Not long after we ordered, clear soup, chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) and white kimchi came out first. The chawanmushi was soft and moist, and the soup was clean-tasting, a good way to get your appetite going before the main meal.

Asahi draft beer at Ilpum Yeouido Branch: a good match for sushi?

The Asahi draft beer came in a chilled glass, and the first sip was so refreshing haha. If you like sushi with beer, I think you'll be happy here!

How loaded is the gunkan sushi trio?

The three gunkan were flying fish roe, sea urchin with salmon roe, and tuna, and the amount of topping was seriously huge!! Gunkan is usually over in a few bites, but Ilpum piles the toppings on so generously that every piece was satisfying. The sea urchin and salmon roe one in particular filled my mouth with the taste of the sea, and I kept thinking about it. Honestly, just those three were enough to fill me up haha. I get why it's popular as a Yeouido sushi spot.

Maguro (tuna) sushi trio: the sushi rice stood out

Next up, three maguro sushi! The tuna was in good shape, but above all the shari (sushi rice) impressed me. The rice was seasoned just right and brought out the tuna's flavor even more. Even with just soy sauce, the balance was really good.

Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) as the main

The kaisendon looked generous from the first glance. Salmon, tuna, flounder and other fish were piled on, and each piece felt fresh. I couldn't decide which fish to eat first haha. If you like kaisendon, I think you'll be happy with it. Above all, the portion was really big. It felt like the bowl had no bottom haha. I understood why people looking for a Yeouido sushi spot order the kaisendon so often.

Mini fish cake udon and mango panna cotta for dessert

Partway through the meal, a mini fish cake udon came out too. The broth was clean and went perfectly with the sushi. You need some broth in between, right?

For dessert there was mango panna cotta. Sometimes the dessert is just a formality, but this one was genuinely good. It wasn't just sweet; it finished the meal cleanly, which I liked!

Verdict: is Ilpum Yeouido Branch worth a return visit?

Ilpum Yeouido Branch was a real hit: generous gunkan sushi, tasty maguro sushi and fresh kaisendon, all delicious. It's good for eating alone and for gatherings, and the seating is spacious and comfortable. If you're looking for a Yeouido sushi spot, give it a try! Next time I'm definitely trying other sushi menu items.