Jongno sashimi bar for seasonal raw shrimp and wine: Suksseong Susan

I went back to Suksseong Susan, well-known as one of the best aged sashimi (sukseonghoe) restaurants in Jongno. This wasn't actually my first visit — I've been a few times already — but this time seasonal raw shrimp sashimi had just come out, so I went back to try it. Once again, I was completely satisfied, from the freshness of the fish to the overall food quality! If you love aged sashimi, let me introduce Suksseong Susan, a Jongno aged sashimi spot worth checking out at least once.

Where is Suksseong Susan Jongno Main Branch, and what are the curtained seats like?

Suksseong Susan is located on Jongno's Youth Street. There are so many bars and restaurants around Jongno, but what I like about Suksseong Susan is that every seat has a curtain, so you can eat a bit more privately. I've visited a few times now, and the surroundings never feel too noisy since the seats are separated — it's a good place to talk quietly while eating. So it would also suit anyone looking for a date restaurant in Jongno or a comfortable spot for a drink with someone.

What's on the menu at Suksseong Susan

As the name suggests, aged sashimi is the main menu at Suksseong Susan. Besides aged sashimi, there's a range of cooked dishes, and they also serve seasonal items depending on the time of year, so the lineup is a little different each time I visit. I find that part of the fun of Suksseong Susan too.

Free corkage: one bottle of wine per person

Personally, one of the biggest advantages of Suksseong Susan is the free corkage. Corkage is free up to one bottle per person. Honestly, it's not easy to find a free-corkage place around Jongno, so being able to enjoy delicious aged sashimi and bring your own wine at the same time is a great deal for anyone who likes to drink. I bought a bottle of wine separately and brought it along this time. The pairing of aged sashimi and wine works surprisingly well.

Tasting the aged sashimi and seasonal raw shrimp

The basic side dishes are tofu and green peas. They're light enough to pick at before the main dishes arrive, so they were nice to nibble on with a drink while waiting.

And here's the aged sashimi from Suksseong Susan. This is already my third visit, and the fish or cuts served have been a little different each time. But one thing stays the same — it's always delicious! Suksseong Susan also labels each fish on the plate, so you never get confused about what you're eating and can compare them one by one. It's a friendly way for people unfamiliar with aged sashimi to try it without hesitation.

This time amberjack and butterfish were also served, and personally the butterfish was really delicious. One bite had a chewy texture, and the more I chewed, the more a savory flavor came through, with just the right amount of fattiness — really good. I could really taste the distinctive chewy texture and umami of well-aged sashimi.

Since the sashimi was so good, the drinks naturally kept flowing. Suksseong Susan has a good range of drinks beyond the basics, so anyone who enjoys a good drink should be satisfied here too.

The amberjack also had just the right amount of fattiness — really tasty. Every time I visit Suksseong Susan, I think they're really good at aging fish. The firm, chewy texture stays alive, but the aging process makes the umami even deeper. Personally, it's one of the top aged sashimi spots I've tried near Jongno.

Besides the aged sashimi, there's another dish I really want to recommend: the crab-innard cream croquette. This is genuinely delicious. The outside is fried crispy, and inside is a savory crab-innard cream — one bite and a deep, rich savoriness hits you right away. The combination of crispy croquette and smooth crab-innard cream worked well between bites of sashimi too. It's a dish I'd definitely order again on a return visit!

And here's the raw shrimp sashimi, the main reason I visited this time. I actually really love raw shrimp, but even when it tastes good, peeling each one can be a hassle. At Suksseong Susan, though, it comes already prepared for easy eating, which was really nice. Above all, the shrimp were so fresh that I could really taste the plump texture and savory sweetness. If you like raw shrimp, it's definitely worth ordering these days. And the shrimp heads were fried separately, so I could enjoy them crispy right up to the end. From the shrimp body to the fried heads, nothing went to waste — I felt like I ate it properly, start to finish!

With aged sashimi, raw shrimp sashimi, and croquettes all laid out on the table, it felt like a real feast. I've already visited Suksseong Susan a few times, but the fish is always in good condition and the aging is always satisfying, so it's a place that keeps coming to mind.

Who should book a table at Suksseong Susan?

• Anyone looking for a great aged sashimi restaurant in Jongno
• Anyone looking for a free-corkage bar in Jongno
• Anyone looking for a private date restaurant in Jongno

It hasn't been long since my last visit, and I already want to go again :)