Sashimi moriawase for one and chawanmushi at Ilpum Magok

Today I'm bringing you an honest review of Ilpum, a sushi and kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) specialist known for fresh, thick cuts of seafood, located between Magok and Balsan stations 🍣🍱

The vibe and seating at Ilpum Magok

The place was super comfortable and actually bigger inside than it looked from outside! There are plenty of seats, from bar seating to tables for 2 to 4 people, haha. Each seat has its own coat hook behind it so you can stash your coat or bag easily, and every table has a tablet ordering system so you can browse the menu at your own pace and order comfortably!!

Menu and prices

True to its reputation as a Magok kaisendon spot, the menu is packed with everything from the signature rice bowls to premium sashimi and sushi!!

• Kaisendon (₩26,000) — the signature rice bowl topped with a colorful mix of seafood and kelp-aged sashimi for extra umami
• Premium kaisendon (₩37,000) — the base bowl loaded with extras like sea urchin (uni) and salmon roe
• Whole eel rice bowl (unagidon) (₩40,000) — a nourishing eel bowl with a whole top-grade freshwater eel
• Sushi omakase set (₩50,000) — premium sushi made daily with carefully selected top-quality ingredients
• Sashimi moriawase — 1 person ₩37,000 / 2 people ₩62,000 / 3 people ₩82,000
• Sides & add-ons — chicken karaage, scallop cream croquette, and extra sweet shrimp, uni, salmon roe, or scallop

What we ordered: sashimi moriawase for one + kaisendon

• Sashimi moriawase (for one)
• Kaisendon

After ordering, a neat little tray of side dishes arrived! Seaweed and gamtae (dried seaweed) for wrapping, refreshing white kimchi, and warm broth soup were all tidily arranged!! The Japanese-style steamed egg custard (chawanmushi) that came with it was as jiggly and smooth as pudding 👍🏻👍🏻

Thick aged sashimi: the sashimi moriawase

Finally, the main dish — the sashimi moriawase — arrived ><!! Tuna, salmon, flounder, abalone, sweet shrimp, uni (sea urchin), and salmon roe filled the bowl to the brim~!

The aged sashimi had such a chewy, soft texture, I loved it so much 💚

Piling thick slices of sashimi onto seaweed or gamtae with a touch of wasabi and wrapping it up — this is heaven, this is Japan,,

Midway through the meal, a mini udon comes as part of the standard set too. The bonito flavor was rich and paired perfectly with the sashimi!!!🤤

My friend's kaisendon

This is the kaisendon my friend ordered! Tuna, salmon, seared scallop and more filled the bowl generously.

I stole a bite of my friend's kaisendon,,~ wrapping the sashimi and rice in seaweed set off an explosion of umami in my mouth 🔥🔥 the kaisendon was genuinely delicious too!!!

To finish the meal, a soft mango milk pudding!!! Such a sweet ending..❤️🍮

Who should go here

High-quality fresh seafood, thick aged sashimi, a neat course setup, and a cozy atmosphere — Ilpum Magok didn't fall short in any area!! I'd confidently recommend it to anyone wanting to properly enjoy Magok's sushi or authentic kaisendon, or anyone looking for a good-vibe Japanese restaurant for a date or a group gathering 🖤