# Squid leg tempura and yuzu highballs at Ilsim, a Jonggak izakaya - By Doyun (https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-meal-file/) - Written Sep 14, 2026 - Local places › Bars › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written as part of a paid store visit sponsorship. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-meal-file/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@seoul-meal-file/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/index.md) ## In short Ilsim is a traditional izakaya on the 2nd floor of 94 Building near Jonggak Station in Jongno, Seoul. On a weekend evening Ilsim served beef sukiyaki at 39,000 won and ikkageso (fried squid legs) at 23,000 won alongside a yuzu highball and draft beer, in a room that runs from city-view window seats to private room-style tables. Ilsim suits both dates and group gatherings, and the squid legs are the dish to order with a highball. ## Good to know - **Location**: Room 204, 2nd Floor, 94 Building, 94 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul - **Hours**: Mon–Sat 17:30–24:00 (last order 23:00) - **Closed**: Every Sunday - **Parking**: No restaurant parking; use the paid parking lot at 94 Building - **Beef sukiyaki**: 39,000 won - **Ikkageso (fried squid legs)**: 23,000 won - **Seating**: City-view window seats and separate private room-style seating *as written by the visitor on Sep 14, 2026* 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! ![First photo from a visit to Ilsim, an izakaya near Jonggak](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-01-at08w-900.webp) ## 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. ![Entrance sign for Ilsim on the 2nd floor of 94 Building](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-02-wvbsp-900.webp) ## 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. ![Ilsim's entrance with wooden lattice doors and tin awning](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-03-15ivt-900.webp) ![Banners for signature dishes yakitori and sukiyaki](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-04-1982t-900.webp) ![Handwritten chalkboard listing today's sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-05-8pbbt-900.webp) ![Full view of Ilsim's entrance with authentic izakaya feel](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-06-pdo0g-900.webp) ![Atmosphere around Ilsim's storefront entrance](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-07-gobke-900.webp) ![Ilsim's interior under soft, warm lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-08-fstbw-876.webp) ## 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. ![City-view window seats and private room-style seating](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-09-1gki2-900.webp) 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 ![Whisky and sake bottles displayed on wall shelves](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-10-18uvx-900.webp) - Beef sukiyaki ₩39,000 - Ikkageso (squid leg tempura) ₩23,000 ![Beef sukiyaki hot pot piled high with beef and vegetables](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-11-h6gjw-1200.webp) ### 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. ![Sukiyaki simmering in tsuyu broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-12-19k1s-900.webp) ![Sukiyaki beef dipped in egg yolk](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-13-obpii-900.webp) 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. ![Sukiyaki pot simmering at the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-14-1oqfi-900.webp) ### 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. ![Crispy fried ikkageso squid leg tempura](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-15-1a6xm-900.webp) ![Ikkageso served with special mayonnaise sauce and salad](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-16-1um7q-900.webp) ## 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. ![A yuzu highball and a glass of draft beer](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-17-1gmuw-900.webp) ![Table setting with sukiyaki and ikkageso](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim-18-1bkhe-m-778.webp) ## 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! ## Where it is - Ilsim (일심) - 94 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Room 204, 2nd Floor, 94 Building, South Korea - 서울특별시 종로구 삼봉로 94 94빌딩 2층 204호 - 37.571778, 126.9822393 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9D%BC%EC%8B%AC/@37.571778,126.9822393,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-meal-file/jonggak-izakaya-sukiyaki-ikageso-ilsim/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt