# Gwanghwamun lunch set with kaisendon and karaage: Ilpum Gwanghwamun - By Jihwa (https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-nook-meals/) - Written Sep 17, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written after receiving a complimentary meal as part of a store-visit sponsorship. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-nook-meals/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@seoul-nook-meals/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/index.md) ## In short Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) and sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor of Lemeilleur Jongno Town, next to D Tower in Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Seoul. The signature kaisendon costs 26,000 won and a half roll of futomaki 17,000 won, and both came with karaage on the side plus chawanmushi, udon and homemade milk pudding as part of the set. For a proper sit-down Japanese lunch in Gwanghwamun, Ilpum Gwanghwamun satisfied on both the spread and the service. ## Good to know - **Location**: 2nd floor, Lemeilleur Jongno Town (the outdoor escalator is the easiest way up) - **Signature kaisendon**: 26,000 won - **Futomaki**: Half roll, 17,000 won - **What the set includes**: Main dish comes with chawanmushi and udon, plus noodles, a fried dish and dessert - **Seating**: Counter seats plus about 3 tables for 4 - **Ordering**: CatchTable order tablet at every table - **Perks**: 2 hours free parking and free corkage with a Naver reservation - **Price reference**: ₩26,000 ≈ $18.5 · ₩17,000 ≈ $12.5 (2026-09-19) *as written by the visitor on Sep 17, 2026* When I'm near Gwanghwamun and craving a proper bowl of Japanese food, one place always comes to mind first. ![Signature kaisendon photo at Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-01-ws1q1-1200.webp) I finally made it to Ilpum Gwanghwamun, famous for its eye-catching kaisendon (seafood rice bowl)! It's so well known as a go-to kaisendon spot in Gwanghwamun that I had high expectations — and honestly, the whole experience, from the food to the service, felt genuinely upscale. ## How to find Ilpum Gwanghwamun, and why the escalator matters Ilpum Gwanghwamun is on the 2nd floor of Lemeilleur Jongno Town. If you take the escalator that connects directly from outside, the restaurant appears right in front of you. ![Outdoor escalator entrance at Lemeilleur Jongno Town](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-02-1wzq7-966.webp) If you're looking for a sushi spot in Gwanghwamun, note that this place is on the 2nd floor of Lemeilleur Jongno Town, and the route can be a bit confusing the first time. Use the escalator that connects directly from outside and the restaurant will be right there in front of you! ![View of Ilpum Gwanghwamun from the escalator](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-03-1ytm8-966.webp) Definitely remember this if you're planning a visit — take the escalator, not the elevator, and you'll get there without wasting any time. ## What is on the menu at Ilpum Gwanghwamun, and what is the room like? The menu at Ilpum Gwanghwamun centers on rice bowls, led by the signature kaisendon at ₩26,000, and the interior is a cozy setup with counter seats and about 3 tables for four. This time we ordered the signature kaisendon, a half roll of futomaki, and karaage. ![Celebrity visitor poster at the entrance of Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-04-v7p51-m-966.webp) Standing at the entrance, we were greeted by a poster noting that celebrities Lee Young-ja and Hwang Jung-min had visited — haha. Inside, it's a cozy, quiet space with counter seats plus about 3 tables for four. ![Interior of Ilpum Gwanghwamun with counter seats and tables](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-05-j56aj-m-966.webp) Looking at the menu board, there's a whole range of rice bowls starting with the signature kaisendon at ₩26,000. We generously ordered the signature kaisendon, a half roll of futomaki, and a side of karaage! ![Ilpum Gwanghwamun menu board showing signature kaisendon price](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-06-1bvpc-966.webp) Every table had a CatchTable order kiosk installed, so we could order comfortably right from our seats. ![CatchTable order kiosk installed at the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-07-prz6z-966.webp) There was even a dedicated coat rack on one side of the restaurant — a thoughtful touch. By the way, if you book through Naver Reservation, you get 2 hours of free parking and free corkage, so it's worth setting up in advance! ## How to eat the signature kaisendon in the best order The signature kaisendon at Ilpum Gwanghwamun works best when you start with the mild white fish and move on to the richer-flavored cuts. Wrapping the sashimi and wasabi in the gamtae (seasoned seaweed) or nori that comes alongside really brings out the flavor. ![A bowl of signature kaisendon piled with thick sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-08-2rfxx-966.webp) Finally, the kaisendon itself! Thick slices of fresh sashimi piled generously on top — just looking at it felt filling. For first-timers, the recommended order is to start with the mild white fish and gradually work toward the richer cuts. ![Wrapping sashimi and wasabi in gamtae seaweed](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-09-11n8u-966.webp) Wrapping the thick sashimi and wasabi in the gamtae or nori that comes with it really brings the flavor to life! The well-seasoned rice combined with the pop of flying fish roe spread through my mouth in the best way. ![Kaisendon rice mixed with flying fish roe](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-10-rxeuw-966.webp) The futomaki comes as a half roll for ₩17,000, and the size was so overwhelming it was hard to fit in one bite. ![Large half roll of futomaki](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-11-13s5c-966.webp) The karaage (Japanese fried chicken) we ordered as a side was crispy outside and juicy inside — instantly made me want a beer. ![Plate of karaage ordered as a side](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-12-jtmks-966.webp) Every main dish comes standard with chawanmushi (savory steamed egg custard) and udon, and the udon broth was really rich and clean! ![Udon included as part of the main dish set](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-13-bh9o3-966.webp) Starting with the soft chawanmushi warmed things up first, which made the rest of the meal go down even easier. ![Soft chawanmushi steamed egg custard](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-14-bgbpd-966.webp) As noted at the bottom of the menu, the set also includes noodles, a fried dish, and dessert — really solid value for the price. ## How the lunch ends: homemade milk pudding at Ilpum Gwanghwamun The highlight of the meal at Ilpum Gwanghwamun is the dessert served at the end: homemade milk pudding topped with mango purée. ![Homemade milk pudding topped with mango purée](https://img.superchart.com/images/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch-15-1xqad-966.webp) After finishing the meal at this Gwanghwamun Japanese restaurant, the standout dessert arrives — and it was genuinely something else! Homemade milk pudding topped with sweet mango purée gives off real fine-dining polish. The rich milk flavor cleanly refreshed the palate, leaving me feeling well taken care of right to the last bite. If you're after a proper, formal Japanese lunch near Gwanghwamun, this place is worth a visit. Just remember the elevator route is confusing, so take the escalator instead! Haha. ## Where it is - Ilpum Gwanghwamun (일품 광화문점) - 223, B2, 19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 종로구 종로 19 지하2층 223호 일품 광화문점 - 37.5708344, 126.9798606 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9D%BC%ED%92%88%20%EA%B4%91%ED%99%94%EB%AC%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5708344,126.9798606,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-nook-meals/ilpum-gwanghwamun-signature-kaisendon-lunch/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt