Gwanghwamun gyukatsu at 5pm with karaage and shrimp: Ichigyu

A real gem recommended by a friend who works in Gwanghwamun! I visited Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch, a gyukatsu specialist that learned the craft directly in Japan. If you're looking for a Gwanghwamun lunch spot that takes reservations, I recommend Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch.

Where is Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch, and where do you park?

Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch is a Japanese restaurant located halfway between Gwanghwamun Station and Jonggak Station. It's a 3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Gwanghwamun Station and a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Jonggak Station, so getting there by public transit is very convenient.

Parking at the Le Meilleur Jongno Town underground lot is free for 2 hours, so driving there isn't a problem either.

• Hours: Daily 11:00–21:30 (break time 15:00–17:00, last order 20:30)
• Location: B1, 19 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Parking: Free
• Group dining, takeout, and delivery available

Why 5pm entry beats the evening wait at Ichigyu

It's famous as a Gwanghwamun lunch spot, so I deliberately visited in the evening — and look at that wait, seriously.. Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch does take reservations, so if you hate waiting, book ahead!

The interior has warm wood-tone decor. It was clean and comfortable, so I ate at ease.

There are seats well suited for groups too. The decor has such a strong Japanese feel that it almost felt like being on a trip!

The kitchen is an open kitchen, so the cleanliness was visible at a glance. Even at a glance it looked spotless, so no hygiene worries here!

Tables are spaced well apart, so you can eat comfortably. On weekdays it's full of office workers, and on weekends it's popular with families, friends, and couples.

Known as a top Gwanghwamun gyukatsu spot, it fills up quickly even on weekend evenings. I timed my visit to 5pm, right when the break time ends, and got seated immediately.

Ichigyu Gwanghwamun menu and current events

The menu and ordering are conveniently done via QR code.

Various events are running. Join an event and get fried shrimp plus thin-sliced mochi & grilling cheese as a bonus. 😁 Events can be combined!

The signature menus are gyukatsu and the steki set. Two sizes! ✔️Regular ✔️Double (jumbo), and extra meat is also possible (+₩14,000). Hamburg omurice, steki-don, teppan chapsteak, Japanese curry, yakisoba Napolitan, and cold soba with fried shrimp are all à la carte options great for a Gwanghwamun lunch too!

Ordering a set menu comes at a discounted price. I recommend it as a great spot for a Gwanghwamun date ✌️

Sirloin gyukatsu set: what comes with it and how to grill it

Beef coated in breadcrumbs and fried — gyukatsu! Crispy on the outside, moist and tender inside, it's outstanding.

It comes with cabbage salad, rice, miso soup, and three sauces, making it an even more filling meal.

The sauces provided are wasabi, chili sauce, and salt. Premium French Isigny butter also comes as standard.

The rice is served in a container with a rice paddle, so you can scoop as much as you like into your bowl.

The rice was warm and delicious, as if freshly cooked. 😭 If you run out, free refills are available!

The texture of the gyukatsu was seriously... the best. Even to the naked eye, the color was a vivid rosy pink! My meat-obsessed boyfriend praised the quality of the meat too.

You grill the gyukatsu piece by piece on the charcoal brazier. 🔥 You can grill it to your taste, from medium rare to well done.

The meat is thick, so it's packed with juice inside. Meat quality really matters for gyukatsu, and the owner is the son of a butcher, so he has a masterful eye for meat.

Gyukatsu that melts in your mouth 😭 Put a piece on top of the fluffy rice and it's hearty and delicious.

Grilling it in French Isigny butter — the Hermès of butter — lets you enjoy a whole different flavor. Being such premium butter, the aroma is on another level. ✌️

Karaage and fried shrimp side at Ichigyu

I ordered karaage and fried shrimp as a side to go along. It's 5 pieces of karaage and 2 pieces of fried shrimp.

Freshly fried in-house, it was hot and delicious. The fried shrimp is fried whole from head to tail, so the crunch really holds up.

Look at how packed the shrimp is.. Dipped in tartar sauce, it has the ultimate savory flavor!

It's also delicious piled on top of the rice!

Is Ichigyu Gwanghwamun a good date spot?

I had gyukatsu made with sirloin at Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch, a Gwanghwamun gyukatsu favorite. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was great, so I recommend it as a Gwanghwamun date spot! If you're looking for a place to visit for a Gwanghwamun lunch that takes reservations, I recommend Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch.