# Jongno Japanese restaurant: kaisendon and chawanmushi at Ilpum - By Sori (https://superchart.com/en/@tin-tray-seoul/) - Written Sep 10, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@tin-tray-seoul/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@tin-tray-seoul/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/index.md) ## In short Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a Japanese restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, known for kaisendon. The ₩26,000 basic kaisendon came with chawanmushi, cold udon with karaage, and mango panna cotta. Verdict: a generous, satisfying seafood rice bowl set. ## Good to know - **Basic kaisendon**: ₩26,000 - **Parking**: Up to 2 hours free when using the Le Meilleur Jongno Town parking garage with a meal - **Solo dining seats**: Bar counter seats *as written by the visitor on Sep 10, 2026* I visited Ilpum Gwanghwamun, a spot famous for kaisendon (Japanese seafood rice bowl) in Gwanghwamun! ![A kaisendon set topped with seasonal seafood](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-01-14rpi-1200.webp) ## 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...? ![Visiting Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-02-183s5-900.webp) ![Choosing between kaisendon and sushi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-03-fjlt9-900.webp) There can be a wait at busy times, so making a Naver reservation before you come is the sure bet! ![Reservation information for Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-04-z8vkq-900.webp) 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. ![Kaisendon rice and seafood wrapped in seaweed](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-05-1yx3v-900.webp) 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 meal with chawanmushi and a rice bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-06-15icr-900.webp) ![Kaisendon course set](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-07-1hydc-900.webp) ## A Basic Kaisendon Set The chawanmushi warms an empty stomach so nicely. So soft. > Basic kaisendon ₩26,000 ![A bowl of basic kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-08-14w7a-900.webp) Wait, shouldn't a kaisendon with this much in it cost over ₩30,000? Shaky shaky! Excellent in both taste and price!! ![Kaisendon topped with assorted sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-09-zb6m8-900.webp) 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!! ![Kaisendon with scallop](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-10-6v9gm-900.webp) Even scallop!!!! Eek eek! ![A scallop from the kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-11-1yi5j-900.webp) Because Geumgirin has to savor the sashimi, I am taking apart the pretty stack they made for me... chop chop chop. ![Kaisendon sashimi and rice eaten separately](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-12-1lm2c-900.webp) ![Kaisendon seafood assortment](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-13-py6wl-900.webp) Under all those generous toppings is seasoned rice, and it tastes absolutely wonderful with the sashimi. ![Kaisendon with seasoned rice and sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-14-1swul-900.webp) ![Seasoned rice and seafood in kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-15-1q24v-900.webp) ### Wrapped in Gamtae and Seaweed Wrap it in gamtae (sweet seaweed) and yum yum. ![Kaisendon ingredients wrapped in gamtae](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-16-4bffl-900.webp) 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.) ![Monkfish liver wrapped in seaweed](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-17-6f3wp-900.webp) And add a piece of tuna sashimi too, then yum yum. ![Kaisendon with tuna sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-18-14bwq-900.webp) ![Tuna sashimi and kaisendon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-19-pr77b-900.webp) The karaage on the cold udon that comes with it was so delicious too. ![Cold udon topped with karaage](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-20-12ffj-900.webp) 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. ![Dessert after the kaisendon meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-21-3otx8-900.webp) Mango panna cotta—think of it as mango milk pudding, haha. ![Mango panna cotta dessert](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-22-1k4xm-900.webp) 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? ![The open kitchen at Ilpum Gwanghwamun](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-23-peua8-900.webp) ## 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. ![Ilpum Gwanghwamun with bar counter seating](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum-24-1yo4j-900.webp) ## 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) - 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/@tin-tray-seoul/gwanghwamun-kaisendon-chawanmushi-ilpum/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt