Quiet early-lunch gyukatsu in Gwanak, Seoul, plus Hollo Store: Izawa

It's been like a million years since I've been to Seoul National University Station!!! This day I finally got to check out Hollo Store, which I'd really wanted to visit, and also ate some really delicious gyukatsu. The gyukatsu especially was better than I expected — like, genuinely amazing — and since it had been a while, it somehow tasted even better haha. Seems like a great spot for a solo meal too haha, must be popular with the SNU students. Okay, let me introduce it!

How to find Izawa Sharosugil Branch and what to know before going

Izawa Sharosu-gil Branch is on the 2nd floor of a building tucked inside Sharosu-gil. Being located deep inside Sharosu-gil, it's easy to reach whether you're coming for a date or a lunch spot. Group use and reservations are available, and it even supports easy pay, so it was convenient to use. (Just a note — it's on the 2nd floor!)

What is Izawa like during early lunch hours?

Maybe because it was early lunch, the place was quiet

True to its reputation as a place with good atmosphere, the interior was neat yet cozy. The layout made it easy to eat alone without feeling awkward, so solo lunch visitors could relax and enjoy the meal comfortably. Ordering was easy with the table order system

What we ordered at Izawa: gyukatsu set (sirloin) and steki set

This time I ordered the gyukatsu set (sirloin) and the steki set. Check the menu board in the photo below.

Vi-su-al gorgeousness~

Grilling the gyukatsu yourself on a mini tabletop brazier

Gyukatsu is a beef cutlet made from carefully selected fresh beef, and it comes with a mini brazier so you can grill it yourself to your own taste

The breading was fried up nice and crispy, and the meat inside came out slightly rare, so it was fun grilling it over the brazier as much as I wanted.

I cut off a piece, grilled it lightly on the brazier, and dipped it in the special sauce — crispy outside, tender inside, soft and so delicious

How does Izawa's steki set differ from the gyukatsu set?

Personally, the steki set was just as delicious as the gyukatsu. It's a menu where the beef is seared lightly on the outside and sliced, giving it a totally different feel from the gyukatsu.

With no breading, you can taste the meat's natural flavor as it is, so it felt a bit lighter while letting you really enjoy the rich juiciness of the meat itself haha

What I loved about both dishes is that you can adjust the doneness to your own taste haha. It was so good that I ended up piling everything onto the brazier at once just to eat faster lol, guilty as charged

After lunch: browsing Hollo Store, 3 minutes from Izawa

After eating well, it was fun-time browsing at Hollo Store, just 3 minutes away

Seeing it in person, it felt even cozier and nicer, hehe

Who will enjoy Izawa Sharosugil Branch most?

• Anyone wanting to try authentic gyukatsu
• Anyone who enjoys adjusting doneness to their own taste while grilling
• Anyone looking for a good lunch spot near Seoul National University Station or Sharosu-gil
• Anyone looking for a Japanese restaurant that's comfortable for solo dining
• Anyone looking for a pet-friendly place to visit