"Failed Daemulseom Reservation? Let's Go to Its Younger Sibling, 'Namsan Gwang-eo'!" Hannam-dong New Hot Place Honest Review (ft. Flounder Salt Gimbap, Bentley Squid Sashimi 🤯)

Folks! Folks! 😲 Do you know **'Daemulseom'**, that sashimi restaurant in Hannam-dong, which is said to be the hardest to reserve and was even praised by Han Ga-in? But... booking at Daemulseom is like reaching for the stars... 😭 If you were about to give up, pay close attention to my post today!

A 'sister' restaurant to Daemulseom has suddenly appeared! ✨ Its name? **'Namsan Gwang-eo'**! This new hot spot offers Daemulseom's signature **'Flounder Salt Gimbap'** as well as its own powerful weapon, **artistic 'Squid Sashimi'**! 🔥

This place has only just opened but already has a waiting line! Can it live up to Daemulseom's reputation? My honest review after visiting in person! Let's start now! 🚀

These days, 'Flounder Salt Gimbap' is setting social media ablaze! Hannam-dong's 'Daemulseom', the original creator, is already famous for its reservation battles. (Han Ga-in is also said to have raved about it!) I visited with anticipation, wondering if the 'younger sibling' would be as good as the 'elder', and what other charms it might possess compared to Daemulseom! (Spoiler: This place will soon be hard to reserve too!) Namsan Gwang-eo was capturing the hearts of Hannam-dong foodies with its own unique appeal, distinct from Daemulseom.

1. Basic Information: Perfect Accessibility & Reservation Tips! (Location, Reservation, Parking, etc. 📌)

First, let's carefully go through the most important basic information for visiting 'Namsan Gwang-eo'. It boasts perfect accessibility and a convenient reservation system, so it's good to check beforehand.

Restaurant Name: Namsan Gwang-eo
Location: 2nd Floor, 26 Daesagwan-ro 34-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Located on the 2nd floor of the Lotte Fresh building, about a 5-minute walk from Hannam Station Exit 1.) It's very close to the station, making public transport convenient.
Operating Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 5:00 PM ~ 1:00 AM (Last Order 11:30 PM)
- Sat-Sun: 3:00 PM ~ 1:00 AM (Last Order 11:30 PM) (Opens earlier on weekends, allowing daytime visits.)
Reservations: Reservations can be made through the 'Catchtable' app. During peak hours like weekend evenings, it might be difficult to get in with a walk-in, so advance reservation through Catchtable is essential. Late in the evening, same-day reservations might be relatively more available.
- *Due to its popularity, seating might be limited to 2 hours and 30 minutes if there's a waiting line. Please keep this in mind.
Parking: Unfortunately, on-site parking is not available! 😭 You will need to use nearby paid parking lots. (It is recommended to use Hannam Yusu-ji Public Parking Lot or Homerun Parking Lot, etc.)
Other: Corkage is available (20,000 KRW for wine / 30,000 KRW for whiskey). Operated as a 'No Kids Zone' for a comfortable environment.

2. Atmosphere: "Hip MZ Pojangmacha Vibe + α" ✨

Namsan Gwang-eo used to be a champagne bar called 'Geumshappa'. Perhaps because of this, it has a trendier and more sophisticated atmosphere than typical sashimi restaurants.

Entrance & First Impression: Opening a rustic iron door, you're greeted by a slightly dark, long corridor. At the end of the corridor, you see a fish tank full of fresh seafood, immediately signaling that this is a great restaurant.
Interior: It has a **more vibrant and brighter feel** than Daemulseom. The warm lighting, green plants, and wine bottles displayed everywhere perfectly create a hip and stylish 'MZ indoor pojangmacha' vibe. Its casual yet luxurious atmosphere is very appealing.
Seating: Besides spacious hall tables, there are bar tables by the window with a city view, and even private rooms in the back! (Rooms are perfect for group gatherings!) (Reservations for rooms are essential!)
Ambiance: Despite being newly opened, it was often fully packed. In a lively and bustling atmosphere, various customers including dating couples, groups of friends, and families were enjoying delicious meals. (If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, a window bar table or a private room is recommended.)

3. Menu Breakdown: "Older Sibling's Menu + Younger Sibling's Ace Cards!" 🐟🦑

Namsan Gwang-eo's menu adopts Daemulseom's core signature dishes while adding its own special unique menu items to differentiate itself.

⭐ Signature (Inheriting Daemulseom's DNA):
- 1% Large Flounder Aged Sashimi (Medium 53,000~56,000 KRW): Large flounders, over 3kg, are aged using hotel sushi bar techniques to deliver a chewy and intensely savory flavor. It includes Engawa (flounder fin meat), allowing for an even richer taste. As Daemulseom's representative dish, its freshness and chewiness are superb.
- Salt Gimbap (4,000 KRW): Gimbap seasoned with Maldon salt and Guérande salt, boasting a fantastic harmony with flounder sashimi. The seasoning of the rice grains is exquisite, maximizing the flavor when eaten with sashimi.
- ➡️ Flounder Salt Gimbap Combination: An absolute must-order course when visiting Namsan Gwang-eo! (I'll explain how to eat it deliciously below!)
⭐ Namsan Gwang-eo's Ace Cards (Unique to This Place):
- Live Squid Sashimi (35,000~39,000 KRW): This is no ordinary squid sashimi! The thinly filleted squid body has **intricate cuts**, fanning out like 'Bentley wings', boasting an artistic visual. 🤯 The more you chew, the sweeter and softer it gets. When you order squid sashimi, the remaining legs are served as crispy fried calamari.
- Live Squid Sashimi + Steamed Whole Squid Set (60,000~66,000 KRW): A menu that allows you to enjoy both squid sashimi and steamed whole squid simultaneously, offering great value for money.
- Sokcho Steamed Whole Squid (18,000~26,000 KRW): The combination of rich squid innards, minari (water parsley) salad, and garlic oil sauce is a perfect companion for drinks!
Other Popular Menu Items:
- Hot Plate Spicy Squid Bulgogi (26,000 KRW): Spicy and sweet seasoning, add udon noodles for a satisfying meal and drink accompaniment!
- Seafood Hot Plate Jjajangmyeon (27,000 KRW): The dangerously delicious taste you know! Jjajangmyeon with generous seafood is a dish everyone will love.
- Hupo Port Red Crab Stew (24,000 KRW): A refreshing and spicy broth! (Add ramen noodles for an even better experience!)
- Whole Squid Gimbap (16,000 KRW): An unique gimbap in squid sundae style, filled with pollock roe fried rice.

(🚨 Price Volatility: Since it's recently opened, menu prices vary slightly across different blog posts. It's best to check the menu on-site or call the restaurant when you visit!)

4. "Eat It This Way!" How to Enjoy Namsan Gwang-eo Deliciously 💯

The secret to enjoying Namsan Gwang-eo 200%! I'm sharing my personally experienced and recommended 'ways to eat deliciously'.

1) Flounder Salt Gimbap (The Combination That Even Kang Min-kyung Fell For!)
Memorize this like a formula! 😉 Sour Baek-kimchi (white kimchi) + Savory & Salty Salt Gimbap + Chewy Aged Flounder Sashimi + Namsan Gwang-eo's Special Sauce generously! = JMT (Super Delicious)! The sweet and sour Baek-kimchi cuts through the richness of the flounder, and the perfectly seasoned salt gimbap enhances the umami. Add to this Namsan Gwang-eo's magical special sauce (which might taste a bit like junk food but is incredibly addictive!), and it creates a heavenly harmony!

2) Aged Large Flounder Sashimi (Make Your Own Wrap!)
This method was personally demonstrated and recommended by a staff member! Fresh ssamchu (leafy vegetable) + Fragrant perilla leaf + Flounder sashimi dipped in sesame oil & doenjang (fermented bean paste) + a slice of garlic + spicy chili + galchi sokjeot (salted hairtail entrails) + a little bit of rice grains! Eating it this way allows you to experience an explosive flavor where the original taste of the sashimi blends with the freshness of vegetables, the savory depth of doenjang, the umami of salted fish guts, and the sweetness of rice. Of course, if you want to fully savor the chewy texture and savory taste of the sashimi itself, dipping it in the special sauce or makjang (Korean dipping sauce) is also highly recommended!

3) 'Bentley Wing Cut' Live Squid Sashimi 🦑✨
The visual alone is breathtaking. Thinly filleted squid body is **meticulously cut** to resemble unfolded wings! Even eaten plain, the more you chew, the sweeter and softer the squid's flavor becomes. Soy sauce or chojang (spicy vinegar sauce) seeps into the cuts, allowing you to enjoy a deeper taste. (Personally, I recommend dipping it slightly in savory soy sauce!) The remaining squid legs are immediately fried, so you can enjoy them crispy – nothing goes to waste!

4) How to Properly Enjoy Steamed Whole Squid!
The key to steamed whole squid is its **rich innards**! You can enjoy it endlessly without feeling greasy by adding a little bit of the accompanying **garlic oil sauce** or pairing it with **refreshing and fragrant minari (water parsley) salad**. Its salty and savory taste is superb, making it an excellent accompaniment for drinks.

5. Honest Overall Review: "Indeed Daemulseom's Sibling! But Even Better?" 👍

Namsan Gwang-eo's visit has led to my honest overall review.

Taste: The signature large flounder aged sashimi is "beyond famous." The squid sashimi, particularly with its 'Bentley wing cut' nickname, was impressive in both visuals and taste. Every dish was prepared with fresh ingredients and excellent cooking, making them all incredibly enticing for drinks!
Atmosphere: You can experience a **more spacious and pleasant environment** with a hip and lively atmosphere compared to Daemulseom. Thanks to the casual yet sophisticated interior, it's highly recommended for dates and gatherings with friends!
Service: The staff members were very friendly and maintained a high level of energy, providing detailed explanations about the menu and even personally demonstrating how to eat the dishes deliciously, showcasing attentive service.
Price: Considering Hannam-dong prices and the quality of fresh seasonal seafood, it cannot be called cheap, but factoring in the taste, atmosphere, service, and generous portions, it offers a **highly satisfying value for money**.
Drawbacks: On-site parking is not available, and despite being newly opened, it's already becoming **increasingly difficult to make reservations** (it seems destined to become like Daemulseom soon!), and the hall tables can be **a bit noisy**, which might be a downside for those seeking a quiet meal.

Conclusion: If you've repeatedly failed to book at Daemulseom, or if you want to enjoy delicious aged sashimi and seafood dishes in a more casual and hip atmosphere while maintaining Daemulseom's taste, **I highly recommend 'Namsan Gwang-eo'!** Personally, I found Namsan Gwang-eo even more appealing than Daemulseom in terms of menu variety and overall atmosphere! 😉

A premonition of the birth of a new 'squid sashimi hotspot' that will follow the 'Flounder Salt Gimbap' craze! ✨ If you're looking for an unfailing bar or restaurant in trendy Hannam-dong, you should definitely visit 'Namsan Gwang-eo'! (Reservations are essential!)

Have you been to 'Daemulseom'? Aren't you curious about 'Namsan Gwang-eo's squid sashimi? 🤔 👇

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"Failed Daemulseom Reservation? Let's Go to Its Younger Sibling, 'Namsan Gwang-eo'!" Hannam-dong New Hot Place Honest Review (ft. Flounder Salt Gimbap, Bentley Squid Sashimi 🤯)