Mulgogi Yongsan: Aged Sashimi with a Serious Cocktail List

The Yongsan branch of Mulgogi (물고기주택 극진) opened more recently than the original — same kitchen team, same approach to fish, but a slightly louder room with a longer bar. It's tucked behind Yongsan Station in the strip of older buildings that haven't been swallowed by the I-Park Mall redevelopment yet. If you've eaten at the original Mulgogi and wondered what an evening version of that food would feel like, this is it.

Mulgogi specializes in aged sashimi, not live fish — a meaningful distinction in Korean seafood culture. Most older Korean sashimi spots emphasize 활어 (live fish, killed and served immediately for maximum chewiness). Mulgogi goes the opposite direction: aging the cuts to develop deeper umami, softer texture, and a flavor profile closer to what Japanese sashimi bars do. For visitors more familiar with Japanese sushi, the texture here will feel more familiar than the typical Korean hoejip experience.

What to Expect

The fish is the foundation, but the cocktail list is what makes the second branch different. The original Mulgogi is more traditional in its drink lineup; the Yongsan branch leans into mixed drinks and serious whisky pours, with a few highballs that locals single out as actually well-built rather than just sweet. Reviewers describe the bar program as "unusually serious for a sashimi place," which gives you a sense of where this restaurant sits in Yongsan's evening landscape — somewhere between a quiet hoejip and a proper bar.

Portions skew small for the price point. This is a recurring note across reviews: two diners almost always order two platters, not one. If you're coming with a specific budget in mind, factor that in early. The pricing is what locals call "Yongsan tax" — slightly elevated for the neighborhood, which is becoming one of Seoul's more aspirational dining districts.

The dining room is loud during peak hours. Reviewers consistently flag this as the main downside if you're hoping for a quiet sashimi-and-conversation evening. The energy is more drinking-bar-with-fish than refined sashimi counter. If that's the wrong vibe, the original Mulgogi (closer to Samgakji Station) is calmer.

Reservations: Friday and Saturday nights are tight. One reviewer specifically mentions arriving with a reservation on a Friday night and seating without issue, while walk-ins after 7 PM are often turned away. Book ahead.

What to Order

Mulgogi mixed sashimi platter (물고기 모듬회, ₩80,000) — The signature. Aged cuts across multiple fish — flounder, sea bream, salmon belly. Light, chewy in the way aged fish should be, and the platter is composed thoughtfully so that no single fish dominates.

Tuna + sea urchin platter (참치+우니 스페셜, ₩150,000) — The splurge. Includes seared tuna belly cuts and a generous serving of uni. This is what to order if you're celebrating something or splitting the bill three ways.

Mackerel special (전갱이 스페셜, ₩90,000) — A cleaner, more savory option than the standard mixed platter. Reviewers who've returned multiple times rotate this in.

Butter-grilled abalone (전복 버터구이, ₩35,000) — The side that holds up. Order this with any platter; it's the kind of dish that tastes better than it sounds on paper.

Atmosphere & Vibe

This is a drinking room first, sashimi bar second. The energy works well for groups of 2 to 4 people who want to settle in for a long evening — order a platter, get drinks, order another platter, pour another round. The interior is modern but not minimalist; there's enough warmth that it doesn't feel cold the way some newer Seoul sashimi spots do.

Yongsan as a neighborhood is changing fast. The strip around Yongsan Station mixes older Korean restaurants, newer cocktail bars, and the kind of design-forward bakeries that signal a district moving upmarket. Mulgogi sits comfortably in that mix — old-school enough to be a real food restaurant, new enough to feel current.

Solo diners can sit at the counter. Couples and small groups dominate the table seating. Larger groups (6+) are doable but the room can feel cramped at full capacity.

Practical Info

• Address: Yongsan-gu, Seoul (한강대로 57, 1F)
• Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?cid=1428743142128033385
• Nearest subway: Yongsan Station, 5–10 min walk
• Hours: Mon–Sat 14:00–23:00 (last order 22:30) / Sunday closed
• Price range: Upscale (₩80,000+ per person typical)
• Spice Level: Mild
• Vegetarian: No (sashimi-focused; very limited options)
• Halal-friendly: No
• Reservations: Recommended for Fri–Sat nights
• Good for groups: Yes (small groups; 2–6 ideal)

If you're combining this with other Yongsan-area visits, the I-Park Mall and the new National Museum of Korea Han River side are both walkable. Make Mulgogi the evening anchor.

Summary