Sushi Dogam – A Perfect Place for a Delicious Meal
Reviewed by Melline Galani.
I hate anything raw! I cannot stomach raw meat, eggs, fish, or any other raw food for that matter. Even my steak has to be “really” well done for me to eat it. Nevertheless, here I am introducing a flavorful sushi restaurant in Sang-mu: Sushi Dogam (스시도감).
Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish outside of Japan, and it has evolved outside the country, influenced by different Western cultures. I was exposed to this kind of food back home, and I first tried it just out of pure curiosity. As an outsider without knowledge of this food culture, this review might be biased. However, it is based on my sincere opinion and taste preferences.
Sushi is often regarded as a health food because it boasts of several nutrient-rich ingredients. Fish is a good source of protein, iodine, and multiple vitamins and minerals. In addition, it is one of the few foods that naturally contains vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which human brains need to function optimally.
I discovered Sushi Dogam some years ago. At that time, it was named Mr. Sushi (Mr. 초밥). Recently, it has been refurbished and renamed. I do not know if the ownership has changed, but the taste of the food is the same: delicious.
I usually go to the restaurant at lunchtime. They have these special lunch set menus (10,000–13,000 won) that offer the best money can buy. The selections I chose offer eight pieces of sushi, including salmon, tuna, shrimp, and eggs. This set also includes side dishes of pickled ginger, garlic, radish, fried shrimp, sweet potato, and white kimchi. What is more, it comes with small bowls of seasoned rice and another small bowl of udon noodle soup – all for just 10,000 won. It is more than enough food for one person. Besides lunch specials, they offer a wide variety of sushi and sashimi dishes, including single items and, of course, beverages. The lunch specials are offered between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
In terms of the vibe, the restaurant is quite spacious. There is a lobby at the entrance where people select their table and number of customers. This area also serves as a waiting space in case the restaurant is full. I never have to wait more than two minutes though to get my table. On each table, there is a vase with a flower in it, and containers for the pickled ginger, garlic, radish, and soy sauce. (My favorite side dish is their pickled ginger; I just love ginger! Together with wasabi, it is perfect for sushi.) The yellow hue of the flower on my table made a perfect combination with the interior design, making lunch more enjoyable. The chefs prepared the dishes in front of me, so everything was fresh and tasty. While waiting, I was served a light, tasty salad as an appetizer.
One of their specialties is warm sushi. They have a small poster on each table showing how to eat it for the best experience (it is in Korean, but the pictures are enough for understanding). Unlike traditional sushi, this is made with the rice temperature set to 36.5 degrees Celsius. An air layer is formed between the rice and the texture is excellent. Moreover, they also have cooked sushi, a specialty that even pregnant women can have (since they are not supposed to eat raw fish during pregnancy). Their specialties ensure an authentic experience that corresponds to a Japanese dinner as they combine the taste, texture, form, and colors of the foods at their highest levels and in perfect harmony.
All in all, this is my favorite place in Gwangju for sushi. Not only is it affordable, but it is also savory, and it comes with a wide array of dishes to meet every taste. Also convenient is that the entire menu has pictures, so you will know what you get even if you do not speak Korean. At Sushi Dogam, you will not get just sushi; you will get really good sushi.
SUSHI DOGAM (스시도감)
Address: 106 Chipyeong-no, Seo-gu, Gwangju 광주 서구 치평로 106
Operating Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 midnight
Instagram: @ssidogam
The Author
Melline Galani is a Romanian enthusiast, born and raised in the capital city of Bucharest, who is currently living in Gwangju. She likes new challenges, learning interesting things, and is incurably optimistic. . It may come as no surprise that she also loves sushi from Sushi Dogam. Instagram: @melligalanis