# Gwanghwamun gyukatsu at 5pm with karaage and shrimp: Ichigyu - By Yeri S. (https://superchart.com/en/@banchan-crossing/) - Written Sep 22, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@banchan-crossing/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@banchan-crossing/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/index.md) ## In short Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded fried beef cutlet) restaurant on level B1 of Le Meilleur Jongno Town, halfway between Gwanghwamun Station and Jonggak Station in Jongno, Seoul. The writer and her boyfriend arrived at 5pm, right as the 15:00–17:00 break time ended, and ordered the sirloin gyukatsu plus a side of karaage and fried shrimp, grilling each piece on a tabletop brazier and dipping it in Isigny butter and three sauces. Waits at Ichigyu run long, so booking ahead makes a Gwanghwamun date or lunch easy, and parking is free for 2 hours. ## Good to know - **Hours**: Daily 11:00–21:30 - **Break time**: 15:00–17:00 - **Last order**: 20:30 - **Location**: B1, Le Meilleur Jongno Town, 19 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul - **Parking**: 2 hours free at the Le Meilleur Jongno Town underground car park - **Getting there**: 3-minute walk from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 4 or Jonggak Station Exit 1 - **Signature menu**: Gyukatsu, steki (steak) set — regular or double (jumbo), extra meat +14,000 won - **À la carte**: Hamburg omurice, steki-don, teppan chop steak, Japanese curry, yakisoba Napolitan, cold soba & fried shrimp - **Sides**: Karaage (5 pieces) & fried shrimp (2 pieces) - **Good to know**: Free rice refills, reservations, group dining, takeout and delivery - **Price reference**: ₩14,000 ≈ $10 (2026-09-22) *as written by the visitor on Sep 22, 2026* ![Main photo of Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-01-17909-1200.webp) 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 ![Entrance to Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch in the basement of Le Meilleur Jongno Town](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-02-wq38l-900.webp) ![Waiting line outside Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-03-nn7mk-900.webp) ## 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. ![Interior of Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch with wood-tone decor](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-04-hmwj7-900.webp) ![Group-friendly seating at Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-05-158pi-900.webp) 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! ![Open kitchen at Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-06-yb02m-900.webp) 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. ![Widely spaced table seating at Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-07-1jq0d-m-900.webp) 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. ![View of the table from a seated position at Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-08-fpzuc-900.webp) ## Ichigyu Gwanghwamun menu and current events The menu and ordering are conveniently done via QR code. ![QR code order menu at Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-09-ryz9w-900.webp) ![Event signboard at Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-10-1igfo-900.webp) Various events are running. Join an event and get fried shrimp plus thin-sliced mochi & grilling cheese as a bonus. 😁 Events can be combined! ![Notice for a fried shrimp and thin-sliced mochi giveaway event](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-11-1vt2t-900.webp) 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! ![Set menu board listing gyukatsu and steki set](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-12-76r4k-900.webp) 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 ![Full table setting of the sirloin gyukatsu set](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-13-yzwr5-900.webp) Beef coated in breadcrumbs and fried — gyukatsu! Crispy on the outside, moist and tender inside, it's outstanding. ![Gyukatsu spread with cabbage salad, miso soup, and three sauces](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-14-13e5i-900.webp) ![Wasabi, chili sauce, and salt with Isigny butter](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-15-14drt-900.webp) 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. ![Rice served in a container with a rice paddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-16-afgb5-900.webp) The rice was warm and delicious, as if freshly cooked. 😭 If you run out, free refills are available! ![Sirloin gyukatsu with a vivid rosy pink cross-section](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-17-nb6gj-900.webp) 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. ![A piece of gyukatsu being grilled on the charcoal brazier](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-18-11v7h-900.webp) ![Close-up of the grilled gyukatsu cross-section](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-19-qq7bj-900.webp) Gyukatsu that melts in your mouth 😭 Put a piece on top of the fluffy rice and it's hearty and delicious. ![A piece of gyukatsu placed on top of rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-20-15oxs-900.webp) 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 ![Plate of karaage and fried shrimp ordered as a side](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-21-gcrqk-900.webp) I ordered karaage and fried shrimp as a side to go along. It's 5 pieces of karaage and 2 pieces of fried shrimp. ![Five freshly fried pieces of karaage](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-22-10m6z-900.webp) ![Whole fried shrimp with tartar sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-23-1uc8u-900.webp) 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! ![Fried shrimp placed on top of rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp-24-1qoap-900.webp) 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. ## Where it is - Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch (이치규 광화문점) - B1, B123, 19 Jongno, Le Meilleur Jongno Town, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 종로구 종로 19 르메이에르종로타운 지하1층 B123호 - 37.5708344, 126.9798606 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9D%B4%EC%B9%98%EA%B7%9C%20%EA%B4%91%ED%99%94%EB%AC%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5708344,126.9798606,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@banchan-crossing/ichigyu-gwanghwamun-gyukatsu-karaage-shrimp/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt