Kium Chamchi Hongdae Branch
키움참치 홍대점
About
A Blue Ribbon-certified bluefin tuna dining spot in Donggyo-dong offering refillable tuna sashimi courses in a relaxed Japanese izakaya setting.
A short walk from Hongik University Station Exit 2, on the second floor of an unassuming Donggyo-dong building, Kiwoom Tuna Hongdae offers an unhurried retreat from the neighborhood’s chaotic nightlife. Recognized by both the Blue Ribbon Survey and the Coca-Cola Red Ribbon guide, the interior leans into classic Japanese izakaya sensibilities, fitted with carp-patterned noren dividers, paper umbrellas, partitioned timber booths, and an intimate sushi bar counter where an owner-chef with over two decades of experience slices bluefin to order. Courses run in tiered ratios of prized Pacific bluefin (*honmaguro*)—from the accessible Kiwoom Special up to the pure 혼마구로 tier—with the Chef’s Recommendation and VIP courses standing out as local favorites. The experience kicks off with a steady parade of comforting starters: warm vegetable porridge, clear broth, tuna sashimi salad with tangy red chili sauce, bonito-topped tomatoes, grilled ginkgo nuts, sizzling sweet corn-cheese, and tender steamed egg. The centerpiece sashimi arrives expertly thawed, steering clear of any icy crunch to highlight clean melt and rich texture. Cuts span lean akami, marbled chutoro, velvety otoro, rich kama-toro (collar), and textured baekkop-sal (navel fat), arranged so diners can cross-reference the anatomical cut guides hung on the walls. Beyond the precise sourcing, the kitchen’s true draw is its refill hospitality: the chef and floor staff quietly replenish slices as plates empty, seamlessly working in overstuffed futomaki rolls, sweet shrimp and tuna sushi, grilled fish, braised collars, crisp fried shrimp, and hand-rolled temaki to close. Guests pull crisp draft Kirin, light yuzu highballs, or chilled carafes of Junmai Oshaberi Kujira sake, leaning into a deliberate, sustained rhythm of seafood and drinks.
Menu
- Chef's Recommendation Course₩58,000
- VIP Course₩75
- Kium Special Course₩45,000
- Honmaguro Course₩100,000
Local tips
- Book ahead conveniently via Naver Reservations.
- Tuna sashimi courses come with generous complimentary refills as your plate clears.
- Counter seats are great for solo dining or watching the chef prepare tuna cuts.
Details
- Hongik University Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- —
- Monday
- 16:00–23:00
- Tuesday
- 16:00–23:00
- Wednesday
- 16:00–23:00
- Thursday
- 16:00–23:00
- Friday
- 16:00–23:00
- Saturday
- 16:00–23:00