If you are looking for sushi near Gyeongbokgung Palace, Kokkiri Sushi Gwanghwamun offers generous set menus and comfortable counter seating for solo diners.
I do enjoy conveyor-belt sushi, but I often find myself checking the price of each plate instead of concentrating on the food. I also spend too much time watching the belt and waiting for something interesting to appear.
This time, I wanted a complete sushi set served at once. I visited Kokkiri Sushi Gwanghwamun for a late lunch and ordered its 14-piece C Set with cold soba.
Kokkiri Sushi Gwanghwamun Information
- Name: Kokkiri Sushi Gwanghwamun
- Korean name: 코끼리초밥 광화문점
- Address: B1, 178 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Korean address: 서울 종로구 세종대로 178 지하 1층 B109-5호
- Nearest station: Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5
- What I ordered: Kokkiri C Set
- Set contents: 14 pieces of sushi and cold soba
- C Set price: KRW 38,000 at the time of my visit
- Additional order: Two pieces of red sea bream sushi
- Drink: Suntory highball
- Dessert: Black pepper ice cream
- Best for: Solo dining, lunch and sushi near Gyeongbokgung Palace
Find Kokkiri Sushi Gwanghwamun on Google Maps
Menus, prices and business hours may change. Search for 코끼리초밥 광화문점 on Google Maps or Naver Map before visiting.
Easy Access from Gwanghwamun Station
Kokkiri Sushi is located on the basement level of the KT building on Sejong-daero.
It is easy to reach from Gwanghwamun Station without walking far outside, which is useful on rainy days or during Seoul’s hot summer.
The location also works well for sightseeing. Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Kyobo Book Centre are nearby.
You can also visit the Bank of Korea Money Museum in Myeongdong before or after lunch if you are exploring central Seoul.
I arrived at about 1:30 p.m., after the busiest office lunch period. Many customers had already left, so I could eat alone without feeling rushed.
sychoi’s Tip: Gwanghwamun restaurants can become crowded between noon and 1:00 p.m. Visit slightly later for a more comfortable solo lunch, but check the restaurant’s current break time before going.
Kokkiri Sushi Set Menu
Kokkiri Sushi offers several set menus with different numbers of sushi pieces.
The ordering screen showed three main sets:
- Kokkiri A Set: 10 pieces with noodles
- Kokkiri B Set: 12 pieces with noodles
- Kokkiri C Set: 14 pieces with noodles
I usually choose a set menu when visiting a sushi restaurant for the first time. It gives me a better idea of the restaurant’s style and allows me to try several types of seafood without ordering each one separately.
I chose the C Set for KRW 38,000. It included less common ingredients such as sea urchin, salmon roe and abalone, as well as familiar choices including salmon, tuna, eel and sweet shrimp.
The set was more expensive than a basic weekday lunch, but it offered enough variety to feel like a special meal.
Kokkiri C Set with 14 Pieces
The meal began with a small salad and miso soup. Pickled shallots were available on the table, while pickled ginger came with the sushi.
The main board looked colorful and generous when it arrived.
The C Set contained both nigiri and gunkan-style sushi. I could not confidently identify every fish by appearance, but the menu listed ingredients such as sea urchin, tuna, eel, sweet shrimp and salmon roe.
The sea urchin was soft and creamy. It had a rich flavor but did not feel too heavy when eaten as one small piece.
The abalone was served as a substantial piece and was more tender than I expected. I am currently wearing orthodontic braces, so I have to be careful with chewy food, but I could eat it without much difficulty.
The salmon roe had a completely different texture. The small beads popped in my mouth and added a salty flavor to the set.
Even with these premium ingredients, the familiar salmon sushi was still one of my favorite pieces. Its soft texture and rich taste made it easy to enjoy.
Was the C Set Filling?
The 14-piece C Set was enough for a full solo lunch.
The pieces did not look unusually large, but the combination of sushi, salad, soup and noodles became quite filling. The set also included a large futomaki roll that was difficult to eat in one bite.
I had already eaten enough by the time I reached the last few pieces. However, I am used to adding one final plate whenever I visit a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant.
That habit led me to order two additional pieces of red sea bream sushi for KRW 8,000.
The red sea bream had a clean flavor and slightly firmer texture than salmon. It was enjoyable, but the additional order was not necessary because the original set was already filling.
Unless you are very hungry, I recommend finishing the C Set before deciding whether to order more.
Cold Soba with the Sushi Set
The C Set included a small bowl of cold soba.
The portion was smaller than a regular noodle dish, which suited the meal well. A full bowl would have been too much after 14 pieces of sushi.
The cold broth refreshed my palate after the rice and seafood. It also made the set feel more complete without making it excessively heavy.
The noodle dish included with the set may change, so check the current menu when ordering.
Suntory Highball with Sushi
The restaurant offered Korean spirits, sake and highballs during my visit.
I wanted a glass of sake, but I did not see a single-glass option. Instead, I ordered a Suntory highball for KRW 10,000.
The highball was much stronger than I had anticipated. I planned to drink it lightly with the sushi but felt slightly tipsy before finishing the meal.
If you have a busy sightseeing schedule after lunch or do not usually drink much alcohol, consider ordering a non-alcoholic beverage instead.
I went home and took a nap afterward, so this was not the best choice for a productive afternoon.
Black Pepper Ice Cream
The most unusual item I tried was the black pepper ice cream.
The dessert appeared to combine vanilla ice cream with olive oil, salt and black pepper.
At first, I wondered whether the pepper would clash with the sweetness. Surprisingly, the combination did not taste strange. The oil added richness, while the salt and pepper made the vanilla flavor more noticeable.
The black pepper ice cream cost KRW 4,500 at the time of my visit. It was simple but memorable, and I would order it again.
Is Kokkiri Sushi Good for Solo Travelers?
Kokkiri Sushi was comfortable for solo dining.
The counter seats allowed me to eat without taking up a large table. Ordering through a touchscreen was also convenient, although the available language settings may change.
International visitors may want to keep a translation app ready when checking specific fish names or menu details.
Timing is important because Gwanghwamun is a major business district. The restaurant may feel very different during the weekday lunch rush. Visiting after the peak period gave me a quieter experience.
Kokkiri Sushi may be a good choice for:
- Solo travelers looking for sushi near Gwanghwamun Station
- Visitors exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gwanghwamun Square
- Diners who prefer a complete set to conveyor-belt sushi
- Travelers who want to try several types of seafood
- Visitors looking for an indoor restaurant with easy subway access
It may be less suitable if you want:
- A very inexpensive lunch
- A formal omakase experience
- A quiet meal during the weekday lunch rush
- A restaurant with a visible street-level entrance
Is Kokkiri Sushi Worth Visiting?
Kokkiri Sushi is worth considering if you want a varied sushi set in central Seoul without booking an expensive omakase course.
The C Set included familiar sushi as well as sea urchin, abalone and salmon roe. It also provided enough food for one person when combined with the salad, soup and cold soba.
The price may feel high for an ordinary office lunch, especially if you add drinks and extra sushi. However, the C Set alone was generous enough and offered a good range of ingredients.
Its central location is another advantage. You can combine lunch with Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheonggyecheon Stream or Kyobo Book Centre.
For my next visit, I would order the C Set again without adding more sushi. I would still save room for the black pepper ice cream.
Try a Private Korean Cooking Class in Seoul
If you want to experience Korean food beyond restaurants, consider a private-kitchen cooking class near Seongsu and Wangsimni.
The evening class is led by a chef with experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant and a five-star hotel. Participants prepare a Korean full-course dinner and enjoy the meal together in a small group. Check the latest menu, language, duration and cancellation policy before booking.
Check the Private Korean Cooking Class on Klook
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Kokkiri Sushi gave me the relaxed sushi lunch I wanted. Instead of watching plates move around a conveyor belt, I could enjoy the full set at my own pace and finish with an unexpectedly good black pepper ice cream.