Jongno sushi restaurant lunch with futomaki: Ilpum Gwanghwamun

I visited Ilpum Gwanghwamun with my wife, who works near Gwanghwamun, for a kaisendon lunch. We had premium kaisendon, today’s sushi, and a half roll of futomaki, along with beer and a highball. From chawanmushi to karaage cold udon and mango pudding, everything arrived in sequence, making for a nicely complete meal.

How was the premium kaisendon and sushi combination?

The premium kaisendon was the most memorable item of this visit. With tuna, salmon, shrimp, scallop, uni, and ankimo on top, it was fun to pick through all the different kinds of seafood in one bowl. The warm, lightly seasoned rice neatly balanced the richness of the raw fish. Gamtae seaweed and nori were served alongside it too, so it was easy to wrap bites however we liked.

Today’s sushi had rice that was not overly seasoned and pleasantly chewy fish, so it did not feel heavy even alongside the kaisendon. The half roll of futomaki was so large it was hard to fit in one bite, and its thick seafood, vegetables, and fried shrimp textures went especially well with a bottle of Sapporo Premium Beer.

Starting with chawanmushi, then karaage cold udon midway through, and ending with mango pudding kept the meal from becoming monotonous. There was a wait when we visited, so if you are stopping by for a work lunch near Gwanghwamun like my wife, it would be best to leave some extra time.

Should you check for a wait before a lunch visit?

Customers kept coming in while we were there, and there was a wait. If you have lunch or dinner plans, it would be wise to check reservation availability and the wait situation before visiting.

The dining atmosphere at the two-person counter

We sat at a two-person counter seat. It was nice for the two of us to face each other while eating, and convenient for taking photos and tasting each dish as it arrived.

Customers continued to come in during our visit, giving the restaurant a pleasantly lively atmosphere. My wife, who works near Gwanghwamun, was satisfied enough to say she wanted to come back for a work lunch next time.

The receipt review event during our visit

At the time of our visit, writing a Naver receipt review earned two croquettes. Event terms and availability can change, so check with the restaurant before ordering.

From premium kaisendon to dessert

Premium kaisendon

The premium kaisendon arrived first. Tuna, salmon, shrimp, scallop, uni, ankimo, and more were piled on in colorful layers, so it looked abundant from the start. Each kind of seafood was good on its own, with almost no fishy taste, and tasted fresh.

Eating it with the warm, moderately seasoned rice cleaned up the natural richness of the raw fish. The gamtae seaweed and nori served alongside were great additions depending on your preference. Alternating between fish on its own, fish with rice, and fish wrapped in gamtae let me finish the bowl cleanly and lightly, without any fishiness.

Today’s sushi

Today’s sushi included tuna maki, shrimp sushi, salmon sushi, and white fish. The sushi rice was not overly seasoned and the fish had a pleasant chew, making it easy to eat without feeling salty or fishy. Its composition differed from the kaisendon, so ordering both did not become tiresome.

Half-roll futomaki and drinks

The futomaki was big enough that it was difficult to eat in one bite. Thick seafood, vegetables, and crisp fried shrimp came together inside, creating different textures with every bite. It paired well with Sapporo Premium Beer, while the yuzu highball refreshed the palate between bites of seafood.

Chawanmushi, cold udon, and mango pudding

The chawanmushi that came first was soft and savory, whetting my appetite before the meal. Midway through, cold udon with karaage arrived; the crisp karaage and chewy noodles added a distinctive texture different from the kaisendon and sushi, making it a pleasant extra.

The final mango pudding had tangy mango sauce over soft milk pudding, making it a refreshing way to finish after a seafood meal.

Why I would revisit and tips for your visit

It is a place I would keep in mind for a return visit when I want kaisendon or sushi in Gwanghwamun. The premium kaisendon was enjoyable because I could combine the variety of seafood with warm rice, gamtae, and nori as I pleased, while adding today’s sushi and futomaki made the meal even more varied.

My wife, who works near Gwanghwamun, was especially pleased and said she would like to return for a company lunch. Still, there was a wait during our visit, so if your lunch break is tight, it would be best to check reservation availability or the wait situation first.

• There was a wait during our visit, so leave extra time if you have a lunch appointment.
• For two people, the counter seats were perfectly fine for dining.
• The futomaki is large, so it is good for sharing or having with drinks.
• Check the receipt review event, business hours, parking, and reservation availability again on the day of your visit.

Questions about ordering and waiting

What should I order on my first visit?

If you want to try a range of seafood, the premium kaisendon would be a good choice; if you prefer a sushi selection, today’s sushi should suit you well. We added a half roll of futomaki to have with beer, and it was good for two people to share.

How big is the futomaki portion?

Even the half roll of 5 pieces was so large that it was difficult to eat in one bite. It was good as an addition to a meal or shared as a beer snack.

Is there a wait?

There was a wait when we visited. Exact waiting times may vary depending on the time of day.

Would you revisit?

Yes. My wife, who works near Gwanghwamun, was pleased enough to say she would like to come back for a company lunch.