‘www.youtube.com/embed/LyjLNfqRETI’

Sushi Sora Daechi-dong Omakase: A Memorable Culinary Journey

Hello everyone! This is Mariage, and I recently had the incredible opportunity to host a special subscriber event at Sushi Sora in Daechi-dong, Seoul. It was a delightful experience sharing delicious sushi, engaging conversations, and a few drinks with my wonderful subscribers. Many of you have been curious, so I’m thrilled to share a detailed review of our weekend lunch omakase experience at this esteemed establishment.

The Setting & Ambiance at Sushi Sora

We visited Sushi Sora for the second lunch seating, entering promptly at 1 PM after the first seating concluded. The chefs, aware of our special event, went above and beyond to ensure our comfort, carefully arranging our seats and paying attention to every detail. I arrived early to have the Magnum-sized wines I brought chilled – five bottles for my subscribers who appreciate a good drink!

Sushi Sora is widely recognized as a second brand of the high-end Sushi Kouji, and it truly lives up to its reputation. It effectively communicates with the Kouji lineage, maintaining exceptional food quality. For its price point, Sushi Sora consistently delivers one of the most satisfying and complete omakase experiences available.

Location: Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
General Rating: Highly Recommended (Excellent value for its price range, exceptional quality)

A Culinary Journey: Highlighted Omakase Dishes

A Delightful Start

• Steamed Egg Custard (Chawanmushi): Our culinary adventure began with a beautiful steamed egg custard, topped with carrot puree and a delicate fried garnish. Sushi Sora truly excels at crafting the sauces for this dish; each season brings a unique and expertly balanced creation. This time, the fresh, sweet notes of carrot combined with a savory crunch made for a perfect start to our meal.
• Chopped Sea Bream & Tuna with Shutou: Next, finely diced sea bream and tuna were blended with ‘shutou’ (fermented tuna innards) and fresh vegetables, bound together with an egg yolk. Shutou, known for its distinct aroma, can be polarizing, but it offered a fascinating savory depth to the dish, reminiscent of a less spicy changran-jeotgal (salted pollack roe).

Sushi Masterpieces

For some subscribers, this was their first omakase experience, so I hoped they would enjoy the unique warmth of sushi rice, a hallmark of traditional sushi. My hopes were immediately affirmed when a subscriber enthusiastically gave a thumbs-up after tasting the first piece!

• Flounder Sushi: The first nigiri, flounder, immediately impressed with its perfectly seasoned and warm shari (sushi rice). The fluffy texture of the rice, combined with the soft, aged flounder, created a harmonious bite.
• Seared Red Shrimp Sushi: A true highlight and one of my favorite creative dishes at Sushi Sora. While not the high-end botan ebi or sweet shrimp, the red shrimp was lightly seared on its belly, enhancing its inherent sweetness with a rich, smoky aroma. The texture was a delightful blend of crispy and chewy.
• Horse Mackerel Sushi: Featuring chives inside and topped with finely chopped green onion and ginger, this piece boasted a firm, springy texture. The vibrant herbs beautifully complemented the mackerel’s inherent acidity.
• Medium Fatty Tuna (Chutoro): This rich cut of bluefin tuna, almost as fatty as otoro, melted in the mouth. Its intense umami was beautifully balanced by a subtle acidity from the shari, creating a luxurious experience.

Unique Creations & Savory Delights

• Conger Eel Dumplings: A creative dish featuring sea eel ground with tofu, formed into meatballs, and fried. Served with a flavorful katsuobushi-based sauce, these dumplings were subtly rich and incredibly comforting.
• Squid Sushi with Salt: This nigiri, topped with a pinch of salt, delivered an initial strong salty kick that beautifully transitioned into the natural sweetness of the squid, enhanced by a hint of yuzu.
• Marinated Lean Tuna (Akami Zuke): Surprisingly rich and velvety for a lean cut, this marinated tuna offered a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a robust tuna flavor.
• Rice Straw Smoked Spanish Mackerel: A powerful smoky aroma from rice straw enveloped this tender Spanish mackerel. Its firm yet soft texture was a testament to the chef’s skill.
• Anago (Sea Eel) Sushi: The final sushi piece, anago, was grilled to perfection, offering a slightly crispy exterior and a tender, warm interior. The sweet and savory tare sauce was incredibly satisfying.

Pairing Perfection

To accompany our meal, we enjoyed a delightful Spanish sparkling wine, Mas Pei Cava. This dry and clean cava offered refreshing green apple notes and pleasant effervescence, pairing exceptionally well with the shari. Later, Chef Kouji from Sushi Kouji generously provided complimentary draft beer, a thoughtful gesture that added to the festive atmosphere.

The Grand Finale & Dessert

The meal culminated in Sushi Sora’s signature futomaki – an impressive large roll filled with grilled egg, tuna, and fried shrimp. Its balanced sweet, savory, and umami flavors, along with the soft texture, made it a joy to eat. This was followed by a warm Inaniwa noodle soup and a unique, savory tofu ice cream, providing a soothing end to our feast.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

Our omakase experience at Sushi Sora in Daechi-dong, skillfully guided by Chef Lee Seul-gi, was nothing short of exceptional. Chef Lee’s nigiri preparation was flawless, and the shari’s strong yet balanced seasoning perfectly complemented each piece of sushi, leaving a clean and refined finish. It was a truly special day, made even better by sharing it with my subscribers.

Sushi Sora continues to impress with its consistent quality, inventive dishes, and outstanding value. If you’re looking for a top-tier sushi omakase experience in Seoul without the exorbitant price tag, Sushi Sora Daechi-dong is an absolute must-visit.