Gangseo Japanese restaurant with giant futomaki: Ilpum Magok

Ilpum Magok in Balsan: Location and Atmosphere

Closed Mondays Tue–Sun 11:00–21:30 Break time 15:00–17:30 Last order 20:00 May close early when ingredients sell out Ilpum Magok, a great sushi spot in Balsan. Apparently, it is a Magok kaisendon restaurant vouched for by various celebrities, including Lee Young-ja. Closed Mondays Tue–Sun 11:00–21:30 Break time 15:00–17:30 Last order 20:00

It is on the main road, so it is easy to find.

With its upscale atmosphere, this is a great Balsan restaurant for a formal gathering or company dinner, too.

There are both counter seats and tables, so you can choose according to the mood you want. I recommend a table for a gathering and counter seating for a date.

When booking, you can also choose between the counter and tables.

Ilpum Magok Menu and Included Dishes

Here is the Ilpum menu and pricing at this Balsan sushi restaurant. It is a Magok kaisendon spot with generously topped rice bowls. You can choose from basic kaisendon all the way to premium versions. The omakase-style sushi platter is also a nice way to enjoy omakase sushi all at once! There is plenty of variety at this Japanese restaurant, from eel rice bowls for people who cannot eat raw food to karaage-don for those who do not eat fish. The steamed egg comes as a basic side. There is shrimp inside the soft gyeranjjim (Korean steamed egg). It is lightly seasoned, which makes it such a nice start to the meal.

What Comes with the ₩26,000 Kaisendon?

Kaisendon ₩26,000

Even though it is the basic kaisendon, the spread is incredibly substantial. Along with tuna and salmon, there are many kinds of white fish, crab meat, and even ankimo (monkfish liver)—such a varied, generous bowl. There are so many different kinds of seafood.

There are also little extras tucked in, like fried lotus root and Japanese rolled omelet, haha. Picked crab meat and ankimo bring the nutty richness and soft texture.

Kaisendon tastes twice as good wrapped in the seaweed that comes with it. The combination of properly seasoned rice and fresh seafood... truly fantastic. Every ingredient was so fresh and high quality—it was absolutely delicious.

And udon comes with the meal as a basic inclusion!! Since it was summer, chilled udon was served. It was a satisfying bowl topped with karaage (Japanese fried chicken), too. Best of all, the noodles were seriously a work of art for a complimentary udon. The delightfully chewy noodles went so well with the cool, umami-rich broth, just like udon you would buy at a specialty shop. The karaage was freshly fried, warm, and crisp... I was touched by how much care went into even the basic dishes.

Today’s Sushi ₩28,000 and Futomaki

Today’s sushi ₩28,000

Today’s sushi comes with futomaki (a thick sushi roll), too.

Today’s sushi comes with a variety of fish and futomaki.

I loved being able to taste everything from white fish to tuna on one platter. What surprised me most was that every piece of sushi was at a great temperature!! Even though it was platter sushi, the rice was nicely warm, which made it even tastier. It felt like I had ordered omakase sushi despite it being the basic platter.

How Big Is the Half-Roll Futomaki?

Half-roll futomaki ₩17,000

The half-roll futomaki was an enormous serving even as a half roll. Unless you are a serious big eater, do not attempt it lightly. Honestly, the half roll alone could fill you up. No exaggeration—it is bigger than an adult fist. Especially this end piece... the size was shocking, hahaha. There is absolutely no way to eat it in one bite!!! I tried and looked ridiculous;;; Seriously, just one piece is incredibly filling. Above all, the basic dishes alone are plenty filling, so if you are a small eater, no no to adding futomaki.

And at the end, there was mango panna cotta for dessert. Honestly, it is only called a set meal—it is practically a course. From the pre-meal steamed egg to the main dish, noodle dish, and dessert, it is a truly substantial and filling lineup. Even the basic dishes at Ilpum, a Balsan sushi restaurant, felt refined and high quality, which I loved. If you like kaisendon, this is a Magok kaisendon spot you really need to visit. The atmosphere is lovely and the food is neatly prepared and delicious, so it looked perfect for bringing parents, too. It would also be great for a company dinner. The price is quite reasonable for what you get, making Ilpum Magok just right when you want a pleasant, satisfying meal! I will have to come back when I am craving Japanese food.