Yeouido gyukatsu restaurant, two sets for 36,000 won: Izawa

Why Izawa Yeouido Direct Store on a weekday overtime night?

On a day when the work just wouldn't end and I had to stay late into the evening, I headed out of the office with a coworker to get a proper, hearty dinner to recharge.

Greasy delivery food didn't sound appealing — what I wanted was something clean but full of juicy meat. So we went to Izawa Yeouido Direct Store, long known among Yeouido office workers as the go-to gyukatsu spot near Yeouido Station.

How to walk to Izawa from Yeouido Station Exit 5

The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of a building just 71 meters from Exit 5 of Yeouido Station, where subway lines 5 and 9 meet — excellent transit access.

It's inside Yeouido Jonghap Sangga, a building every Yeouido office worker knows, which makes it a great option for saving time on a busy commute home or a quick dinner. It's close to my own office too.

Inside Izawa Yeouido Direct Store: atmosphere and seating

Climbing the stairs to the 2nd-floor entrance, the first thing that catches your eye is the stylish logo and sign carved into the wooden wall, lit by soft indirect lighting.

From the calm, sophisticated exterior alone, it already felt like stepping into an authentic gyukatsu shop tucked in a Japanese back alley. Inside, a cozy, clean hall decorated in warm wood tones opened up.

Above the kitchen and counter, the walls were packed with autographs from celebrities who've visited — an instant reminder that this is one of Yeouido's well-known hot spots.

The kitchen and self-serve drink corner were also spotless, which naturally boosted my confidence in the food hygiene.

The seating was spacious enough for solo diners, couples on a date, or small group dinners alike. A friendly staff member greeted us warmly as we sat down and ordered.

What comes with the 18,000-won gyukatsu set (36,000 won for two)

What we ordered at Izawa Yeouido Direct Store was the signature gyukatsu set (₩18,000) — two of them, ₩36,000 total. Other bloggers' reviews consistently praised the freshness and tenderness of Izawa's gyukatsu, calling it a can't-fail choice for both lunch and dinner among Yeouido office workers, so we didn't even hesitate before ordering our hearty dinner.

Soon, the star of the evening — the gyukatsu set — arrived on a neat Japanese-style tray, looking absolutely delicious.

You could tell at a glance it had just been fried — the crispy coating still visibly fresh, revealing bright red beef sirloin gyukatsu piled generously on a ceramic plate.

Alongside it came fresh cabbage salad, real wasabi, and pickled ginger, plus fluffy rice, hot soup, cubed radish kimchi, pickles, and two house sauces — a thoroughly complete spread.

A close-up of the gyukatsu's cross-section showed off marbling and a vivid red color that drew an audible gasp. The coating was thin and crisp, while the inside was carefully sliced, juicy, and rare — the freshness was obvious just from looking at it.

Grilling sirloin gyukatsu yourself on Izawa's mini charcoal grill

Gyukatsu here is meant to be placed on a mini charcoal grill and cooked to your liking. A staff member lit the mini grill for us, and I placed a few pieces of gyukatsu on the heated black stone plate to grill.

With a sizzling sound, the savory smell of meat cooking on the plate hit my nose and sharpened my appetite.

Being able to grill it yourself to your preferred doneness on the spot is gyukatsu's biggest appeal. I picked up a piece cooked to a nice golden brown, dipped it lightly in the special soy sauce, and took a bite.

How the sirloin gyukatsu tasted

The moment it hit my mouth, the crispy coating gave way to an incredible tenderness that melted away almost before I could chew, followed by a burst of rich, savory beef juices.

There wasn't a hint of gaminess or toughness — just the meat's own subtle flavor shining through, drawing an involuntary 'wow.' Adding a bit of the sharp fresh wasabi and dipping it in the special white sauce cut through the richness cleanly, keeping my chopsticks moving without ever getting tiring.

My coworker kept saying how tender and delicious the meat was, comparing it to other places in Yeouido and declaring this one the best, haha.

Who should try gyukatsu at Izawa near Yeouido Station

The tidy, cozy atmosphere, the attentive and friendly service even during a busy evening rush, and the outstanding quality and savoriness of the gyukatsu — everything about this dinner was satisfying.

If you're near Yeouido Station looking for a hearty, delicious lunch, or want a pleasant Japanese dinner after work with a date or a coworker, I'd strongly and without hesitation recommend Izawa Yeouido Direct Store, a gyukatsu restaurant near Yeouido Station.