Sushi omakase restaurant in Mapo with croaker steak: Danya

How do I get there from Mapo Station, and what about reservations and parking?

While looking for sushi omakase in Mapo, I visited Danya at Seoul Garden Hotel (서울가든호텔 단야), the hotel’s Japanese restaurant. I had often seen this hotel during my commute, but this was the first time I learned it had a Japanese specialty restaurant inside.

It was about a three-minute walk from Mapo Station, so it was easy to reach by public transit. It is between Mapo and Gongdeok stations, and the restaurant is on the hotel’s basement level 1. From the hotel lobby, I simply went down one floor, and the underground parking garage also connected directly to the restaurant.

The hours listed when I visited were noon to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed. As it is a reservation-only sushi omakase restaurant, we booked ahead as well. We were told the hotel’s underground parking could be used for up to three hours and that valet service was also available.

Is the atmosphere worth considering for an anniversary meal?

Inside, wooden tables and soft lighting came together nicely. Looking at the tables, I got the impression that reservations were spaced out rather than packed in. I did not confirm the actual number of reservations, but the atmosphere was pleasant and we enjoyed our meal that day.

Tables were prepared for parties of two or more. A course menu for the day was set at our reserved table, so we could look over the sequence before the food arrived.

What does the dinner omakase start with?

We ordered the dinner omakase. It began with three small appetizers on one plate. It was a nice way to awaken the appetite by tasting each one, and the tamago was already delicious, which made me look forward to what followed.

The steamed abalone was memorable for the accompanying snow crab tomalley sauce.

The sashimi included flounder, striped jack, sea bass, flathead grey mullet, and red sea bream. Overall, the fish tasted fresh, and I liked that the wasabi was not too strong.

What order does the sushi come in, and what stood out?

After the sashimi, they reset the table for sushi.

First came flounder, sea bass, flathead grey mullet, striped jack, and red sea bream sushi. Tasting as sushi the fish we had just eaten as sashimi gave it a different feel.

The flounder fin that followed had a pleasantly chewy texture, while the bluefin tuna akami was mild and easy to eat.

The bluefin tuna otoro had a soft richness. My husband said the otoro was his favorite thing he ate that day.

There was also a piece of tuna belly topped with uni (sea urchin). The nutty richness of the tuna worked well with the flavor of the uni.

The scallop had a subtle sweetness and a pleasantly chewy texture.

How were the dishes and meal after the sushi?

The croaker steak, served as an individual dish, was especially memorable. It was better than I expected, and I thought it would be nice if this dish were sold separately.

For the meal, we had a red sea bream rice bowl and udon. The red sea bream rice bowl tasted clean, without any fishiness. We were already quite full, but it was so good that I finished it all.

What finishes the meal for dessert and tea?

Dessert and tea came at the end. I could choose hot or iced green tea, and I chose the hot green tea.

Dessert was a fig rare cheesecake. The figs paired well with the soft cheese flavor, making for a clean finish to the meal.

Over the course, the croaker steak was especially delicious for me, while my husband particularly enjoyed the otoro. I felt that each dish had been prepared with care, and with its pleasant atmosphere, it seemed worth considering for an anniversary or special-occasion meal in Mapo. I would like to return if I have the chance.