Gangnam omakase restaurant with a special course: Ikoi

On a Saturday evening, I visited Ikoi (이코이) on a quiet alley in Yeoksam-dong with my boyfriend. We enjoyed the special course for two and sake in a private room.

Is it a good setting for a quiet meal for two?

Ikoi was operating with four private rooms only, with no hall tables. The dim, cozy atmosphere made it comfortable to focus on our conversation and the food.

How much were the special course and sake?

At the time of my visit, the Ikoi Special Course was ₩77,000 per person. We chose Suigei sake, in packaging illustrated with a whale, for ₩79,000. It tasted clean to me without being overly dry. The chef explained a few menu changes before the course began.

What dishes started the course?

The appetizer, steamed cream custard, and mackerel pressed sushi arrived together.

I started with a ricotta cheese appetizer on toasted rye bread with yuzu. After the refreshing yuzu opened my appetite, I tried the steamed cream custard. I could taste crab and pepper in the Japanese egg custard, and I liked its warm, soft texture.

I was told that futomaki (thick sushi roll) in the original course had been replaced with mackerel pressed sushi. Since I prefer mackerel pressed sushi, I was happy with the change.

How were the shrimp beef sous vide and Green Texture?

The shrimp beef sous vide came with shiitake mushroom purée, green oil, a sous-vide meatball, and a red beet tuile. Breaking the tuile over it brought together a subtle shiitake aroma, a springy meatball like a bratwurst sausage, and the tuile's crisp texture.

I was told that the shrimp beef sous vide would soon be changed to “Green Texture.” That day, I was able to try both. Green Texture paired orange-colored carrot purée with green grapes and crispy puffed brown rice, and I was told its composition evoked a golden field.

A spoonful tasted bright and clean, as though it refreshed my palate.

How were the steak, sashimi, and lotus root sandwich?

The wagyu tenderloin steak was served medium with a little Maldon salt. The grilled vegetables were good too, and my boyfriend especially liked the grilled zucchini. I was also told that this dish would soon be replaced with braised beef tongue and daikon.

Next came maguro sashimi (tuna sashimi): lean tuna and otoro, sprinkled with lemon juice and wrapped in seaweed. It paired well with the clean Suigei sake.

The lotus root sandwich was fried lotus root filled with seasoned minced meat. The crisp yet crunchy lotus root went well with the savory meat seasoning.

How did the meal finish?

Chadol (thinly sliced beef brisket) sukiyaki nabe (hot pot) arrived to finish the meal.

The broth seemed to be flavored with vegetable stock and tasted light. It was not overly heavy, so it was easy to eat at the end of the course. Lastly, I had refreshing yogurt ice cream topped with maple syrup.

What I liked about this meal was being able to enjoy the course while chatting quietly in a room just for the two of us. It stayed with me as a meal for a quiet date or a special occasion.

What are the reservation and parking details?

The address stated in the original post is 33 Nonhyeon-ro 64-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Hours are listed as 17:00–24:00 Monday through Saturday, with last orders at 22:00; it is listed as regularly closed on Sundays.

• Reservations are available through Naver and Catchtable; for same-day reservations, inquiries are advised at least two hours in advance.
• Pets are allowed, but advance inquiry is required.
• The parking lot beside the restaurant is free to use; when it is full, the paid Eastarville parking lot is advised.