Squid leg tempura and yuzu highballs at Ilsim, a Jonggak izakaya

Last weekend, my friend and I were looking for a nice spot for a drink near Jonggak and ended up at Ilsim, a place with a reputation for great atmosphere and authentic izakaya food. We tried the rich, deep-flavored beef sukiyaki and the crispy ikkageso, and I came away very happy — here's how the visit went!

Where is Ilsim, and what are its hours and parking?

Location: 94 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Room 204, 2nd Floor, 94 Building, South Korea / Hours: Mon-Sat 17:30-24:00 (last order 23:00) / Closed: Every Sunday / Parking: Paid parking (94 Building)

The restaurant sits on the 2nd floor of 94 Building, with a view of the city buildings outside the window. At the entrance, a sign reading "a specialty restaurant for handmade dishes by a skilled chef" hung alongside the name Izakaya Ilsim.

For reference, a notice at the entrance stated that the restaurant does not offer its own parking. I'd recommend planning ahead to use the paid parking lot at 94 Building or public transit.

Does Ilsim feel like a real Japanese izakaya from the door?

The entrance alone gives off a strong sense of Japan. Warm wooden lattice doors blend elegantly with an old-fashioned tin awning, creating the aura of an upscale, authentic izakaya. Large banners for signature handmade dishes like yakitori, oden nabe, and sukiyaki stand on either side of the entrance, making it easy to get a sense of the menu at a glance.

The handwritten "today's sashimi" sign on the entrance chalkboard was memorable — it listed the fresh sashimi lineup coming in that day, like flounder, red seabream, and salmon, which really conveyed the restaurant's pride in ingredient freshness.

Window seats or private room: which seat to book at Ilsim

Step inside and toned-down, warm lighting mixes with deep wooden furnishings to create a modern yet tranquil mood. The seating ranges from window seats overlooking the city view to independent, private room-style seating, so you can pick whatever fits your occasion.

On the wall shelves, an array of premium whiskies and sake bottles — Ballantine's 21, Hibiki, Kubota, and more — were neatly displayed, adding another layer to that particular sentimental atmosphere.

What we ordered at Ilsim

• Beef sukiyaki ₩39,000
• Ikkageso (squid leg tempura) ₩23,000

Beef sukiyaki, 39,000 won

Over a sweet, savory tsuyu broth, generously marbled beef sits piled high with tofu, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and crown daisy, threatening to spill over the edge of the hot pot. The beef was tender and clean-tasting with every bite, and the tofu's nutty aroma combined with the juicy mushrooms for rich umami.

Crack open the fresh egg yolk served alongside, beat it well, and dip in the broth-soaked beef and vegetables — the nuttiness and sweet-salty seasoning wrap around each bite for a deep, rounded flavor. Simmering away at the table, it was the perfect warm main dish to share.

Ikkageso (fried squid legs), 23,000 won

Crispy fried squid legs — one bite delivers crunchy batter against chewy squid texture, a satisfying combination. Dipped into the special mayonnaise sauce lightly dusted with shichimi, the nuttiness doubles, and the fresh salad greens served alongside kept things crisp and refreshing, so it never felt greasy by the end.

Yuzu highball and draft beer: what to drink with sukiyaki

Good izakaya food isn't complete without a drink! I had the refreshing yuzu highball, while my friend went for a cold draft beer. The highball, with its light, lingering yuzu aroma, was a fantastic match with the crispy, nutty ikkageso.

Is Ilsim worth it? Final verdict on this Jongno izakaya

If you're near Jonggak or Gwanghwamun and want to enjoy an upscale, authentic izakaya atmosphere with high-quality handmade Japanese dishes, I'd definitely recommend a visit. With privately separated seating and cozy rooms perfect for group gatherings, it's a complete space that works just as well for a date with your partner as it does for any kind of get-together or company dinner!