Alcohol-free dinner at Ito, an izakaya near Konkuk University Station

I've mostly been hanging out around Gangnam, Sinsa, Apgujeong, and Sinnonhyeon lately, so it had been a while since I spent an evening in Konkuk. The neighborhood still has that university-town feel, and since the subway station sits above ground rather than underground, there's this slightly unpolished, retro vibe that honestly isn't bad at all~

An izakaya where a Japanese-tavern atmosphere, fresh sashimi, and hot mizutaki added up to a full dinner — no alcohol required

What does the name Ito mean, and where is this Konkuk University izakaya?

At first, the name 'Ito' made me think of a Japanese surname, but then I saw the phrase 'connecting fate' (연을 잇다) at the entrance, and it seemed to come from 糸 (いと), the Japanese word for thread. If the meaning is about connecting people like a thread ties together, it fit the izakaya mood pretty well. Maybe that's why it's a spot for blind dates~ I actually saw two tables that looked like they were on one, haha.

Ito location, opening hours and parking

• 📍 22 Achasan-ro 33-gil, B1F, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰ 17:00 - 01:00 / Closed every Monday
• 🚗 No dedicated parking lot. Gana Parking nearby recommended (101 Dongil-ro 22-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul)

Looking to grab dinner near Konkuk University Station and soak in some izakaya atmosphere, I found 'Ito'.

It wasn't a typical bar feel from the entrance. Walking further into the building and down the stairs, past various posters, a wood-toned sign, and dim lighting, it started to feel like tracking down a hidden tavern in some Japanese back alley.

Partitioned seats and low lighting: is Ito good for a date?

Ito, a Konkuk izakaya made to look pretty and handsome with wood tones and dim lighting

Inside, it's mostly reddish wood tones with the lighting turned down quite low.

You can already tell the mood from the photos, but it's even cozier in person. When I visited, there were a few tables that looked like they were on blind dates — the lighting here has kind of a built-in filter effect, haha. Everyone speaking politely to each other, add a drink into this atmosphere, and it'd make for a pretty decent first-meeting spot.

Each table also has a tall partition, so even with plenty of customers around, the noise didn't bleed together as much as I expected. That should also suit anyone looking for that Konkuk-style bar atmosphere.

Ito menu and prices

• Mixed sashimi + mille-feuille nabe: ₩63,000
• Mixed sashimi + mizutaki: ₩63,000
• Mixed sashimi + sukiyaki: ₩63,000

• Mixed sashimi: ₩39,000
• Flounder salt gimbap: ₩30,000
• Sweet shrimp sashimi: ₩23,000
• Saba bozushi: ₩21,000
• Gomi saba: ₩21,000

• Mille-feuille nabe: ₩26,000
• Mizutaki: ₩26,000

The mixed sashimi and mizutaki set at Ito, 63,000 won

We ordered the mixed sashimi and mizutaki

We went with the mixed sashimi and the mizutaki.

The mixed sashimi looks the part from the start. Salmon, tuna, and several other kinds of sashimi arrive on a single plate, and the engawa (flounder fin meat) in particular had that chewy, fatty texture I really liked.

The chewy, fatty, savory 'engawa' too~

The salmon was soft and fresh, and personally, the shrimp was really good. The wasabi stood out too — instead of that pure nose-stinging heat, it had a subtle sweetness and aroma, strongly reminiscent of fresh grated wasabi. I liked that it didn't cover up the flavor of the fish itself.

Rice served on the side: making self-serve sushi at Ito

Another fun part: instead of just eating the sashimi on its own, they give you rice separately so you can make it into sushi yourself.

Place a piece of sashimi on top and eat it right away — instant self-serve sushi, haha. Since I could control how much rice I used myself, it was actually great for loading up more on the fish. That's why the phrase 'Konkuk izakaya worth eating at' felt very fitting here. It didn't feel like a place that just serves drinking snacks — there was clearly real care put into the food itself.

What does the mizutaki broth taste like?

A mizutaki broth that's clean and spicy-hot at once

Big chunks of chicken sit in the hot broth, mostly boneless so it's easy to eat, and it's generously loaded with mushrooms and vegetables. It feels like something between a chicken hot pot and a mushroom hot pot, and the broth is clean but spicy in a way that makes you crave soju.

There were so many mushrooms in it that I thought it was a mushroom hot pot at first~ The aroma was really nice~

Big chunks of chicken sit in the hot broth, mostly boneless so it's easy to eat, and it's generously loaded with mushrooms and vegetables. It feels like something between a chicken hot pot and a mushroom hot pot, and the broth is clean but spicy in a way that makes you crave soju.

I didn't drink, but watching my family member go through about two and a half glasses, haha, I could totally see why this broth works so well as a drinking snack.

Can you order extra rice bowls at Ito?

What I especially liked was that you can order a bowl of rice on the side. I came to a bar but I was there for dinner, so I mixed the rice right in and ate a hearty meal. If you're looking for an izakaya near Konkuk University Station and want a proper meal, not just drinking snacks, this place is especially good for that.

Is Ito worth it for dinner without drinking?

• ✅ The atmosphere, from the entrance to the interior, clearly evokes a Japanese tavern.
• ✅ Partitioned seating and dim lighting make it a decent spot for a date or blind date too.
• ✅ The mixed sashimi has a good variety, and the salmon, shrimp, and engawa were all satisfying.
• ✅ The mizutaki is generous with chicken and mushrooms, and the clean broth pairs perfectly with soju.
• ✅ With rice bowls and rice served sushi-style, it also worked well as a dinner without drinking.