Return-visit sushi in Gwanghwamun, akami/toro halves: Elephant Sushi

Why I came back to Elephant Sushi when choosing a Gwanghwamun sushi spot

I was craving sushi, so I went back to Elephant Sushi in Gwanghwamun, a place I had saved for a while. The short version: it was another very satisfying meal. Picking a restaurant in Gwanghwamun whenever I have plans there is surprisingly hard. There are so many office workers that places get packed at lunchtime, and if you just walk into any random spot, the value for money is often disappointing.

There's a reason Elephant Sushi keeps coming up when you search for good food in Gwanghwamun. The prices are fair, the sushi is good, and above all, I left feeling I had really eaten well. For anyone looking for a Gwanghwamun restaurant, here's my honest review.

Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun address: B1, 178 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

What's the atmosphere like at Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun?

Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun is bright and tidy, and the tables are spaced comfortably, so it was easy to eat there. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was how clean it was. Some people were eating solo, and I saw lots of coworkers having lunch together.

Many restaurants in Gwanghwamun get noisy at lunchtime, but Elephant Sushi felt relatively relaxed, so it was nice for chatting. It would work for a date, and coming alone felt completely fine too.

Hygiene matters a lot at a sushi place, and the tables and the restaurant overall were well kept, which left a good impression.

Elephant Sushi menu and prices

Looking at the menu, the prices were more reasonable than I expected. There's a wide variety, including assorted sushi, salmon sushi, tuna sushi and half-and-half sushi, and the set menus are well put together.

If it's your first visit, I'd recommend the Elephant A or B set, which lets you try several kinds. Even among Gwanghwamun restaurants, the satisfaction for the price felt quite high. The prices are easy on the wallet for lunch or a light dinner.

This is what the two of us ordered. There's also a Naver coupon, so if you're interested, it might be worth grabbing one and using it.

How is the Elephant B set? Thick-cut fish and a moderate rice portion

The first thing we ordered at Elephant Sushi that day was the Elephant B set. The sushi looked great the moment it arrived.

A variety of sushi came on a single plate, which was fun to look at. Popular picks like salmon, flounder and tuna were nicely mixed, so it's a set that even first-timers will enjoy.

When I ate it, the fish was thicker than I expected. Some sushi places use too much rice, but at Elephant Sushi the fish clearly takes center stage.

The rice portion was moderate too, so I could really taste the fish. The flounder got nuttier the more I chewed, and the salmon had a lovely soft texture.

Every piece was well balanced, and I could see why the Elephant B set is the signature menu. Haha. I enjoyed it last time too, and it's still a very satisfying set.

Akami toro half-and-half sushi: comparing two cuts of tuna

Personally, the dish I was most looking forward to at Elephant Sushi that day was the akami toro half-and-half sushi (lean tuna and fatty tuna side by side).

As you can see in the photos, vivid red akami and beautifully marbled toro sit side by side, and it caught my eye right away. I took a bunch of photos as soon as it arrived. Haha.

I tried the akami first, and it had a clean, light, true tuna flavor. Rather than being oily, it was crisp and deeply savory.

The toro, on the other hand, had a completely different charm. The texture melted softly the moment it went into my mouth. The rich, nutty flavor filled my mouth, and I understood right away why so many people love toro.

If you like tuna, I'd definitely recommend ordering the akami toro half-and-half sushi at Elephant Sushi.

I also love that the soba comes as one bowl per set.

3 reasons to go back to Elephant Sushi

• First is value for money. Considering Gwanghwamun prices, I could enjoy good-quality sushi at a pretty satisfying price.
• Second is the varied menu. From assorted sushi to tuna, salmon and half-and-half sushi, there are so many options that I don't think I'd get bored even after many visits.
• Third is the sushi quality. The fish was fresh and balanced well with the rice. I especially liked the akami toro half-and-half sushi enough to want to order it again.

For these three reasons alone, I think Elephant Sushi is worth recommending as a Gwanghwamun restaurant.

Is Elephant Sushi worth visiting as a Gwanghwamun sushi restaurant?

If you're looking for a good restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Elephant Sushi is a more-than-satisfying choice. With its clean atmosphere, easy prices and good sushi quality, it felt well balanced overall.

I'd especially recommend the Elephant B set to first-timers, and if you like tuna, do try the akami toro half-and-half sushi. I plan to come back the next time I'm near Gwanghwamun. If you found this post while searching for Gwanghwamun restaurants, I don't think you'll regret visiting Elephant Sushi. Haha.