Donghae Hwaetjip

About

Cozy basement raw fish eatery in Banpo Shopping Town near Express Bus Terminal, serving seasonal sashimi platters.

Tucked deep in the basement of Banpo Shopping Town Building 4, right by Express Bus Terminal Station Exit 8-2, Donghae Hoetjip operates as an unpretentious refuge beneath the bustling transit hub. The room is compact and functional, fitted with seven to eight tables where older neighborhood regulars, small reunions, and post-work drinkers gather over green bottles of soju. It carries the straightforward, weathered charm of an old-school neighborhood sashimi joint rather than a polished modern dining bar. The kitchen centers on seasonal raw fish, slicing through staples like *gwang-eo* (flatfish), *urock* (rockfish), sea bass, and sea bream, alongside rich cuts of winter *bangeo* (yellowtail). The fish is prepped with care—rockfish sliced finely and tenderly, while flatfish arrives in thick, satisfying slabs with a firm chew. Orders of assorted *hoe* land on the linoleum with an array of classic banchan and drinking snacks. Depending on the day, the table fills with grilled saury (*kkongchi*), edamame, dressed bean sprouts, fried shrimp, fresh garlic, sliced chili, and ssam wraps, often rounded out with a few pieces of sushi. For diners stretching the evening past raw seafood, the menu features hot pots. When available, the *saeng-daegutang* (fresh cod soup) delivers a clear, brisk, and bracing broth that cuts cleanly through an evening of soju. The pacing and service reflect its identity as an independent mom-and-pop eatery—unhurried and sometimes rough around the edges, where you might have to remind the staff for your rice bowl or extra kimchi. Still, for travelers passing through the terminal or locals seeking a reliable second round of sashimi away from the subterranean shopping crowds, Donghae Hoetjip provides a steady, hidden corner to drink late into the night.