# Gangnam izakaya date with mackerel pressed sushi: Izakaya Goko - By Haeju (https://superchart.com/en/@yangnim-evening-plate/) - Written Sep 10, 2026 - Updated Sep 13, 2026 - Local places › Bars › Gangnam, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [日本語](https://superchart.com/ja/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [简体中文](https://superchart.com/zh-cn/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [繁體中文](https://superchart.com/zh-tw/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [Tiếng Việt](https://superchart.com/vi/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [ไทย](https://superchart.com/th/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [Bahasa Indonesia](https://superchart.com/id/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [Bahasa Melayu](https://superchart.com/ms/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) · [Español](https://superchart.com/es/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/index.md) ## In short Izakaya Goko Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch is an izakaya between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. We ordered mackerel pressed sushi, tsukune, chicken nanban, and highballs for two, and the pretty plating suited a date perfectly. Verdict: order the mackerel pressed sushi early. ## Good to know - **Goko Highball**: ₩8,000 - **Suntory Highball**: ₩9,000 - **Full Moon Tsukune**: ₩6,000 - **Cheese Tsukune**: ₩6,500 - **Chicken Nanban**: ₩20,000 - **Mackerel Pressed Sushi**: ₩27,000 - **From Sinnonhyeon Station**: 2 minutes on foot from Exit 6 - **From Gangnam Station**: 8 minutes on foot from Exit 11 - **Location**: 2nd floor, Banseok Building *as written by the visitor on Sep 10, 2026* So, we went ahead and set up a date. I chose Izakaya Goko because it was easy for my friend to get to after work too ✨ ## What is the atmosphere like at Izakaya Goko near Gangnam Station? ![Atmosphere at Izakaya Goko near Gangnam Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-01-1qh52-900.webp) It is a 2-minute walk from Exit 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station and an 8-minute walk from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station. Goko is on the second floor! I booked it because the atmosphere looked so good in photos too, and they had the window seats thrown wide open!! It has plenty of that open-air pub feeling without being hectic, which was the best. The weather was so nice that we headed straight for the one remaining window seat. There are also somewhat private seating areas, so it would be great for a blind date or a date. (They are not private rooms!) ![Window seats and a private-feeling seating area](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-02-y4ccl-900.webp) When we came in at 6 p.m. on Thursday, and then as it got close to 7, it was completely full of people stopping by for a drink after work, as expected. I recommend booking ahead on Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends! Especially for a work dinner, definitely make a reservation.. ✨ ## Izakaya Goko menu near Sinnonhyeon Station ![Izakaya Goko menu selection](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-03-1seho-900.webp) ![Izakaya Goko menu selection](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-04-h5q6o-900.webp) ![Izakaya Goko menu selection](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-05-1vmhz-900.webp) ![Izakaya Goko menu selection](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-06-1irss-900.webp) ![Izakaya Goko menu selection](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-07-l43k8-900.webp) ![Izakaya Goko menu selection](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-08-2h053-900.webp) There were all kinds of Japanese dishes, including sashimi, yakitori, noodles, fried items, and nabe hot pots! It is right in the middle of Gangnam, yet the alcohol prices were pretty reasonable too… ✨ ## Highballs and Japanese bar snacks for two The two of us ordered this much, and just so you know, we were pretty full ^~^,, ![Izakaya dishes ordered for two](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-09-etbvm-900.webp) Cheers. Goko Highball (₩8,000) and Suntory Highball (₩9,000). The popcorn served alongside was so delicious. It was consomme-flavored, with a sort of roasted taste? ![Goko and Suntory highballs](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-10-2tjma-900.webp) I tried both the Suntory and Goko versions, and the Goko Highball was more my taste because it tasted less boozy. (Me, someone who likes alcohol that does not taste like alcohol…) Squeeze the lemon hard for an extra burst of freshness. ![Highball served with lemon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-11-17jca-900.webp) ### Full Moon tsukune and cheese tsukune Full Moon Tsukune (₩6,000) and Cheese Tsukune (₩6,500). Honestly, I came because I wanted the mackerel pressed sushi, so I had been debating whether to order yakitori! But the tsukune looked so good that I ended up ordering both. ![Full Moon and cheese tsukune](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-12-hhgew-900.webp) ![Tsukune served with dipping sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-13-1bxlm-900.webp) Tsukune are charcoal-grilled meatballs made by grinding chicken, cartilage, and fat together. You whisk the egg well and dip them in the sauce, and they are ridiculously good! They are plump too, so they are worth six billion won… ✨ ![Cheese tsukune topped with cheddar](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-14-jn74s-900.webp) The cheese tsukune looked so incredible that I could not possibly not order it. Just one slice of cheddar makes it taste richer! I have not had tsukune that many times, but this was my first one topped with cheddar. If you order yakitori, try getting one tsukune each 🤍 ![Chicken nanban at Izakaya Goko](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-15-1yea5-900.webp) ![Chicken nanban main dish](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-16-uj9eq-900.webp) ### Chicken nanban with lemon and wasabi Chicken Nanban (₩20,000). Finally, our delicious main arrived! I have wondered about chicken nanban every time I went to an izakaya, but always chose something else, so I finally got to try it. ![Chicken nanban with tartar sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-17-jjggc-900.webp) ![Chicken nanban with a thin fried coating](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-18-1a3nc-900.webp) I expected it to be similar to karaage, but the coating was thinner and somehow less salty! It went so well with the tartar sauce, which added richness and softness. Love it. ![Chicken nanban with lemon juice](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-19-mcsgt-900.webp) To enjoy the chicken nanban at its best, first squeeze the lemon juice as if you are determined to dry out every seed in that lemon. Then cut it into easy-to-eat pieces!! Add wasabi too, and the combination is insane… Wasabi really goes with absolutely everything. It is all tender chicken thigh meat, so it is extra moist and tasty. Please try it exactly like this ლ(╹◡╹ლ) ![Chicken thigh nanban with wasabi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-20-1726m-839.webp) ![Moist chicken thigh nanban](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-21-10642-900.webp) ## Order the mackerel pressed sushi early And the dish I wanted most! Mackerel pressed sushi (₩27,000). I think it is called saba bo-zushi in Japanese. ![Mackerel pressed sushi with onion plating](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-22-1tpyz-900.webp) Why is the onion plating so pretty? It looked almost too good to eat. But I ate it well, right? Every so often, I get a huge craving for mackerel pressed sushi. I truly do not know why.. ![Mackerel pressed sushi and a highball](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-23-1inry-900.webp) Even sushi is not exempt from a cheers. Goko's dishes are plated so prettily too, so once again, it gets full marks as a date spot haha. ![Mackerel pressed sushi with lemon and gim](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko-24-o1vl2-900.webp) Rich mackerel with none of that fishy taste! It is lightly aburi-seared, which makes it even better. Squeeze over lemon juice and wrap it in gim (roasted seaweed) for perfection. I think Goko's mackerel pressed sushi includes shiso, a Japanese herb, and ginger! It feels like a combination that suits mackerel especially well. ✨If you do not like them, ask to leave them out in advance! The mackerel pressed sushi and mackerel sashimi (goma saba) were sold out after 7 p.m.! If you want them, order quickly and early ฅʕ•̫͡•ʔฅ It was such a perfect dinner at a window seat with the outdoor breeze gently drifting in. Recommended as a bar with a great atmosphere near Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station! ## Where it is - Izakaya Goko Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch (이자카야 고코 강남신논현점) - 2F, 21 Bongeunsa-ro 2-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로2길 21 반석빌딩 2층 이자카야고코) - 서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로2길 21 반석빌딩 2층 이자카야고코 - 37.5033195, 127.0261503 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9D%B4%EC%9E%90%EC%B9%B4%EC%95%BC%20%EA%B3%A0%EC%BD%94%20%EA%B0%95%EB%82%A8%EC%8B%A0%EB%85%BC%ED%98%84%EC%A0%90/@37.5033195,127.0261503,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@yangnim-evening-plate/gangnam-mackerel-sushi-date-goko/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt