Jongno Japanese restaurant: kaisendon and chawanmushi at Ilpum

I visited Ilpum Gwanghwamun, a spot famous for kaisendon (Japanese seafood rice bowl) in Gwanghwamun!

Choosing Between Kaisendon and the Other Dishes

So many dishes besides kaisendon looked delicious too. I agonized until the very end: sushi or kaisendon? Drumroll... Geumgirin's choice was...?

There can be a wait at busy times, so making a Naver reservation before you come is the sure bet!

Even at 7 p.m., the restaurant was packed.

How to Enjoy Kaisendon

Since this place has earned its word-of-mouth reputation for Gwanghwamun kaisendon, it is best to secure a table ahead of time with a Naver reservation. I recommend the signature kaisendon or premium kaisendon.

Start gently with the warm, silky chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard) and soup served after ordering. Even the detailed pre-meal dishes had an unusually deep flavor.

• Pouring soy sauce over all the seafood can make the rice too salty.
• Scoop up a spoonful of sushi rice (shari), top it with a piece of seasonal sashimi, then add a little fresh wasabi.
• Wrap the rice, seafood, and radish sprouts in the accompanying gim (roasted seaweed) for an even fuller flavor.

At Ilpum, ordering a main dish lets you experience a substantial course, from chawanmushi through the main rice bowl to dessert, along with the chef's fresh touch.

A Basic Kaisendon Set

The chawanmushi warms an empty stomach so nicely. So soft.

Basic kaisendon ₩26,000

Wait, shouldn't a kaisendon with this much in it cost over ₩30,000? Shaky shaky! Excellent in both taste and price!!

All these varied, fresh slices of sashimi were waiting for me, hehe. Lightly seared scallop, sweet shrimp, ankimo (monkfish liver), salmon, top-grade tuna, and tender white fish!! What an amazing lineup!!

Even scallop!!!! Eek eek!

Because Geumgirin has to savor the sashimi, I am taking apart the pretty stack they made for me... chop chop chop.

Under all those generous toppings is seasoned rice, and it tastes absolutely wonderful with the sashimi.

Wrapped in Gamtae and Seaweed

Wrap it in gamtae (sweet seaweed) and yum yum.

Wrap monkfish liver in seaweed and yum yum yum! It is too good!!! I'm mad!! (When I eat something delicious, I get mad because the food disappears.)

And add a piece of tuna sashimi too, then yum yum.

The karaage on the cold udon that comes with it was so delicious too.

The rice and seasoning were just right, and every fluffy grain was distinct, so I think it would be delicious even wrapped in seaweed on its own. Sweet shrimp that melts away, I saved you for last! After happily munching away, they bring dessert.

Mango panna cotta—think of it as mango milk pudding, haha.

The wonderful chefs make the food right in front of you. It goes beyond an open kitchen—they prepare it directly before your eyes, so there is nothing to worry about hygiene-wise, right?

Reservations, Parking, and Solo Dining

Can I Visit Without a Reservation for Weekday Lunch?

There may be a wait during the weekday lunch peak from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Use Naver's advance reservation service, or visit after 1:20 p.m. for a more relaxed meal.

What Else Do You Recommend Besides Kaisendon?

Unagidon topped with a whole eel, richly savory mackerel pressed sushi (saba bo-zushi), and futomaki are also popular, so there is plenty of variety to enjoy.

Is Parking Available?

If you use the parking garage in Le Meilleur Jongno Town, you can receive up to two hours of free parking with your meal.

Is It Okay to Visit Alone?

The bar counter seats are well set up, and the open-kitchen format makes it very pleasant and comfortable for office workers near Gwanghwamun to dine alone.