Seoul's Hannam-dong sashimi restaurant: ₩80,000 aged set, TATSU SUSAN

After a while, I finally found a really polished, tidy sashimi restaurant in Hannam-dong that I just have to share with you all. It's called TATSU SUSAN. Built on the know-how of the already-famous Japanese restaurant Hannam TATSU in the neighborhood, it serves top-tier sashimi made with seasonal seafood shipped straight from the source and a dedicated aging technique — so I went in with high expectations.

Where is TATSU SUSAN, and what is the restaurant like?

TATSU SUSAN is on the 2nd floor of 21 Daesagwan-ro 31-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. It sits in an alley in Hannam-dong near Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, so it's very easy to get to.

Stepping inside, I was really struck by the calm, refined atmosphere. The interior is tidy yet stylish overall, which makes it a great pick for couples looking for a Hannam-dong date spot or for a polished group dinner in the neighborhood.

What comes with the 80,000 won assorted aged sashimi set?

What we ordered this time was TATSU SUSAN's signature menu item: the assorted aged sashimi set (₩80,000).

The moment the table was set, TATSU's signature attention-to-detail plating made my eyes light up first. Looking at the tidy spread laid out in front of me, I could really feel the restaurant's slogan: 'One bite of tidy sashimi changes the whole meal.'

The assorted aged sashimi set comes with the main assorted aged sashimi plus shrimp tempura, potato salad, braised quail eggs, seaweed salad, pickled cucumber, shrimp jeon, and braised hairtail — a full, generous spread that filled the whole table!

An honest dish-by-dish review of the TATSU SUSAN set

Assorted aged sashimi: firm yet chewy texture

They said the fresh catch that comes in day by day is aged and served at just the right moment. The second I put a piece of sashimi in my mouth, I thought, 'ah, aged sashimi really is different.' The texture was so firm yet chewy, and the more I chewed, the more savory, nutty flavor spread through my mouth.

Shrimp tempura and shrimp jeon: the highlight worth a second order

The shrimp tempura, with its super-crispy batter and lively texture, was also a treat, but the shrimp jeon (pan-fried shrimp patty) was really the highlight. The plump, springy texture of the shrimp came through so clearly that I kept wanting to order more — I couldn't help but let out little gasps the whole time I was eating it.

Soft potato salad and sweet-salty braised quail eggs

The potato salad served as a basic side dish was really soft and fluffy, perfect for whetting the appetite before the main course. The braised quail eggs were seasoned just right too — not too salty — so my hand kept reaching for more.

Seaweed salad, pickled cucumber and braised hairtail

When I needed a little refresh or started feeling a bit full from the sashimi, the sweet-and-tangy seaweed salad and crunchy pickled cucumber paired perfectly. On top of that, the spicy, salty braised hairtail rounded things off as the ultimate finish for savory flavor.

Final verdict: is TATSU SUSAN worth it in Hannam-dong?

Thanks to seafood curated by TATSU's exacting standards and dishes with real attention to detail, I finished the meal feeling genuinely well taken care of.

Atmosphere, taste, and service — nothing was lacking, so if you're looking for a nice-atmosphere sashimi restaurant in Hannam-dong, I'd strongly recommend giving this place a visit. I'm planning to come back myself the next time I'm craving good aged sashimi.