# Whole-eel unagi-don at Ilpum, a Gangnam Station Japanese restaurant - By Yeomun (https://superchart.com/en/@side-dish-pages/) - Written Sep 12, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Seocho, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written after a sponsored store visit. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@side-dish-pages/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@side-dish-pages/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/index.md) ## In short Ilpum Gangnam Branch is a Japanese restaurant specialising in kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) and eel, on the basement level of a building on Seocho-daero 74-gil near Gangnam Station in Seocho, Seoul. The tuna, mackerel and salmon kaisendon comes with seaweed for wrapping each bite, while the one-eel unagi-don sets a whole eel over a layer of soft egg. With chawanmushi to start, cold udon partway through and a milk pudding with mango mousse to finish, Ilpum Gangnam Branch makes for a satisfying meal from first dish to last. ## Good to know - **Hours**: Daily 11:00–21:30 - **Break time**: 15:00–17:00 - **Parking**: Basement parking in the building available - **Seating**: Bar-table seats and table seats - **Ordering**: Order with staff or by QR code - **Review perk**: 2 croquettes for a Naver receipt review *as written by the visitor on Sep 12, 2026* ![Ilpum Gangnam Branch main photo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-01-j439v-1200.webp) Today I want to introduce a spot I visited when I was craving proper Japanese food in Gangnam haha. I'd heard there's a place in Gangnam serving real Japanese dishes like kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) and eel sushi, so I went to check it out. I generally love seafood and sushi, so I went in with high expectations. The place I'm introducing today is Ilpum Gangnam Branch, where you can enjoy all kinds of sushi, sashimi, kaisendon, and eel dishes! ## Ilpum Gangnam Branch hours and parking - ⏰ Hours: Daily 11:00–21:30 (break time 15:00–17:00) - 🚗 Parking: Basement parking available in the building - 📍 Location: 23 Seocho-daero74-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, B1 106 ![Exterior of Ilpum Gangnam Branch with a traditional Japanese restaurant feel](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-02-ny3oy-900.webp) The exterior of the restaurant already felt clean and put-together. It has an overall look that reminds you of a traditional Japanese restaurant, so even just passing by, you'd sense this is a Japanese specialty spot. ## Inside Ilpum Gangnam Branch: seating and atmosphere ![Interior divided into bar-table seats and table seats](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-03-ekg7w-m-900.webp) ![Comfortable table seating area](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-04-duxtf-900.webp) Once inside, I found the space at Ilpum Gangnam Branch divided into bar-table seats and table seats. The restaurant itself isn't huge, but the overall atmosphere is comfortable, making it a nice place to eat. Each table came neatly set with bowls and cups. ![Table set with bowls and cups](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-05-1y8d0-900.webp) Looking at the menu, it mentioned that Ilpum's seafood goes through an aging process to deepen the flavor. ## What is on the menu and how to order ![Menu listing kaisendon and uangi-don](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-06-1fte9-675.webp) ![Menu page with the omakase nigiri platter](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-07-am1oc-675.webp) That bumped up my expectations for the seafood menu even more haha. On top of the signature kaisendon, they even had a one-eel uangi-don (unagi rice bowl) with a whole eel, and the omakase nigiri platter looked pretty tempting too. ![Menu page for à la carte sushi and sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-08-bn7yi-900.webp) ![Drink menu including sake](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-09-cbn53-900.webp) You can also order sushi, sashimi, or tempura à la carte, and they carry several kinds of sake and other alcohol, so it looked like a great spot to pair drinks with Japanese food. ![Table with QR ordering instructions](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-10-d78it-900.webp) ![Sign about the free croquettes for a receipt review](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-11-1mqz2-900.webp) You can order either directly with staff or through a QR code, so you can choose whichever method is more convenient. Also, if you leave a Naver receipt review, they give you 2 croquettes, which is worth keeping in mind. ![Sign introducing new menu items](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-12-8379e-900.webp) There were also new menu items listed. I tried other dishes this time, but I plan to try the new items on my next visit. ## Starters: soup, chawanmushi and baek-kimchi (white kimchi) ![Basic broth, chawanmushi, and baek-kimchi served at the start](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-13-1dgz8-900.webp) After ordering, the basic broth, chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), and baek-kimchi (white, non-spicy kimchi) came out while we waited. Of those, the chawanmushi stood out the most. The steamed egg was really soft and moist — you could feel how tender the texture was from the moment you scooped it with a spoon. The flavor had the clean, savory quality unique to egg, with a subtle umami on top, making it a nice light bite before the meal. The baek-kimchi was good for cleansing the palate in between. ## Kaisendon wrapped in seaweed: how it tastes Finally, the kaisendon I ordered arrived! ![A bowl of kaisendon piled high with seafood](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-14-17rus-900.webp) The bowl was piled with a variety of seafood, so it looked seriously appetizing just from the sight of it. ![Close-up of tuna on the kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-15-m65tx-900.webp) ![Salmon and mackerel visible in the kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-16-1ejt3-900.webp) ![Kaisendon topped with several kinds of sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-17-12kaw-900.webp) With tuna, mackerel, salmon, and more all in one bowl, I got to enjoy a range of flavors in a single dish. ![A bite of kaisendon wrapped in seaweed](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-18-10p9u-900.webp) Eating each type of seafood with rice was great on its own, but wrapping it in the seaweed (gim) they provided gave it a whole different charm. Putting the seafood and rice onto the seaweed and eating it in one bite added a nutty seaweed aroma that paired really well. Especially for anyone who loves kaisendon, the fact that you can taste several kinds of sashimi at once makes this a satisfying dish. If you're looking for kaisendon near Gangnam, this is worth trying. ## One-eel unagi-don: whole eel over soft egg Next up was the one-eel uangi-don. ![One-eel uangi-don with a whole eel on top](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-19-3zmbp-900.webp) True to its name, a whole eel is laid on top, and the eel flesh was plump and generous, so it looked seriously filling just from the visual. Underneath the eel was a large, soft egg. I tried the eel, egg, and rice together, and the smoothly melting eel paired really well with the rice, which had soaked up a salty-sweet sauce. ![A scoop of the eel and rice together](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-20-1nf4m-900.webp) The eel itself was quite tender, so eating it with rice, I kept going without feeling heavy haha. I also tried it together with the egg. The nutty flavor of the soft egg combined with the salty-sweet eel brought out a subtle sweetness — a whole different sensation. ![The soft egg layered beneath the eel in the uangi-don](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-21-9x6np-900.webp) ## Cold udon mid-meal and the dessert finish Midway through the meal, cold udon arrived too. I expected a sweet cold udon, but surprisingly the sweetness wasn't strong at all. Instead, there was a slight tang that felt like it rinsed the palate clean. ![Cold udon served midway through the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-22-uqvva-900.webp) After eating richer dishes like the kaisendon and eel, one bite of the cold udon felt like a palate reset, which I appreciated. Thanks to that, I could dig back into the food with fresh focus haha. ![Closing dessert of milk pudding topped with mango mousse](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-23-q6l4p-900.webp) After finishing the meal, they even brought out dessert! The closing dessert was a Japanese-style milk pudding topped with mango mousse. The soft milk pudding with mango mousse on top made for a sweet, satisfying finish after the meal. ![The meal wrapped up with dessert](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori-24-1h7ru-900.webp) Having dessert show up like this made the whole meal feel satisfying right to the end haha. ## Is Ilpum Gangnam Branch worth a visit? - ✓ Kaisendon that let me enjoy tuna, mackerel, salmon, and more all in one bowl - ✓ The one-eel uangi-don, generously filled with a whole eel - ✓ A great combo of tender eel, egg, and salty-sweet rice - ✓ Cold udon that reset the palate with a tangy, clean taste, plus a sweet dessert to finish - ✓ A Gangnam Station sushi spot I'd like to revisit to try more of the sushi menu next time ## Where it is - Ilpum Gangnam Branch (일품 강남점) - 23 Seocho-daero74-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, B1 106, South Korea - 서울특별시 서초구 서초대로74길 23 지하1층 106호 - 37.4956227, 127.0271068 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9D%BC%ED%92%88%20%EA%B0%95%EB%82%A8%EC%A0%90/@37.4956227,127.0271068,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@side-dish-pages/gangnam-ilpum-kaisendon-unagidon-nori/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt