Gyeongsusa

About

Traditional Mapo sashimi restaurant known for generous 'imokase' raw fish courses, clean private rooms, and hearty lunch bowls.

Tucked along a quiet side street between Gongdeok and Aeogae stations, Gyeongsusa balances the refined calm of a classic Japanese establishment with the generous hospitality of a neighborhood *imokase*. Wooden accents, subdued lighting, and partitioned seating create an intimate atmosphere, complemented by private tatami-style rooms equipped with sunken floor seating that draw both local office workers for company dinners and couples celebrating quiet milestones. While daytime regulars slip in for generous lunch bowls of *hoedeopbap* (raw fish over vegetables and rice) served alongside braised radish and thick cuts of grilled fish, evening dining centers entirely on the multi-course *teuk-hoe jeongsik* (special sashimi course). Dinner opens gently with a warming, savory porridge, soon followed by a vibrant sea platter piled with sea squirt, chewy sea cucumber, abalone, sweet shrimp, and scallops. The marine freshness is sharp and clean, free of bitterness. The centerpiece arrives as a lavish spread of thick-cut, aged sashimi (*sukseonghoe*). Delicately matured rather than served purely raw, cuts like red sea bream, flounder, fatty tuna *otoro*, salmon, and winter yellowtail yield an elevated, natural umami and tender chew. The progression retains a classic Korean-Japanese charm: sizzling platters of sweet-and-savory corn cheese, bite-sized *Chungmu gimbap*, and light, crisp sweet potato and prawn tempura arrive to punctuate the feast. On select nights, gracious servers deconstruct whole salt-grilled fish—such as butterfish, toothfish, or striped beakfish—directly at the table, offering a rich, savory foil to chilled soju. The finish is restorative. Bowls of clear *jiri-tang* arrive bubbling with white fish and abalone, anchored by scorched rice (*nurungji*) that steeps directly in the broth to create a deep, comforting soup. Topped off with a traditional draught of tart plum tea served in a beer glass, the meal ends on an unmistakably nostalgic, satisfying note.