# Gangseo gyukatsu dinner with cold soba and mini curry: Ichigyu - By Hyoju (https://superchart.com/en/@counter-seat-record/) - Written Sep 13, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangseo, Seoul - Sponsored: This is a post written after receiving a complimentary meal from the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@counter-seat-record/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@counter-seat-record/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/index.md) ## In short Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch is a gyukatsu (Japanese-style breaded beef cutlet) specialist in Gangseo, Seoul, on the second floor of the Hillstate Eco Magok building in front of Exit 1 of Balsan Station on Line 5. Arriving at 7pm on a weekday, the writer waited about 5 minutes, then ordered sirloin gyukatsu at 19,500 won, steak-style sirloin at 19,500 won, cold soba with fried shrimp at 11,000 won and mini curry at 5,000 won, searing each slice in Isigny butter for 7 to 8 seconds. Ichigyu proved that not all gyukatsu taste alike, with the steak-style sirloin and the cold soba the most memorable dishes. ## Good to know - **Location**: 2nd floor, 269-15 Gonghangdae-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Hillstate Eco Magok), Exit 1 of Balsan Station, Line 5 - **Hours**: Daily 11:30-21:30, break 15:00-17:00 - **Parking**: Available inside the building - **How to order**: Scan the QR code at the table; Naver reservations available - **Sirloin gyukatsu**: 19,500 won - **Steak-style sirloin**: 19,500 won - **Cold soba & fried shrimp**: 11,000 won - **Mini curry**: 5,000 won - **Wait**: About 5 minutes, visiting at 7pm on a weekday - **Price reference**: ₩19,500 ≈ $14.5 · ₩11,000 ≈ $8.2 · ₩5,000 ≈ $3.7 (2026-09-15) *as written by the visitor on Sep 13, 2026* ![Full gyukatsu spread at Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-01-1gjdz-1200.webp) Met up with Nangpang for a secret (?) dinner date haha. Trying to decide what to eat, I went with the recommendation of veteran-Nang who'd already been to Ichigyu before — tonight's menu was decided: gyukatsu. ## Where is Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch? Hours and parking - 📍Location: 2nd floor, 269-15 Gonghangdae-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Hillstate Eco Magok - ⏰Hours: Daily 11:30-21:30 (break time 15:00-17:00) - 🚗Parking: Available in the building > Outside the restaurant ![Exterior of Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch on the 2nd floor of Hillstate Eco Magok](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-02-1of1j-900.webp) Come out of Exit 1 of Balsan Station (Line 5) and it's right there, in the Hillstate Eco Magok building! Take the elevator all the way to the back and this super Japanese-feeling interior appears ![Japanese-style interior at the entrance of Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-03-x6a1d-900.webp) ![Japanese-style decor and lighting inside Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-04-1mzmf-900.webp) There's even a glasses-and-headband combo in one corner, perfect for that photo-booth mirror selfie vibe haha ![Photo-booth style glasses headband for mirror selfies](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-05-1fo6x-900.webp) ## How long is the wait at 7pm on a weekday? I went around 7pm on a weekday and there was a wait! Waited about 5 minutes out front before getting in. Naver reservations are also available, so keep that in mind if you're planning to go! The place was so packed that by the time we finished eating and I took a photo of the vibe, I genuinely couldn't tell if I was in Japan or Korea!! It really felt like an authentic local gyukatsu joint. With posters like this scattered around and soft lighting, it also looked like a great spot for a date! ![Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch dining area with posters and soft lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-06-gr84z-966.webp) ## Ordering at Ichigyu and what the pang-pang-ju menu includes You order by scanning the QR code stuck on the table! There are set menus too, which made it perfect for two people. ![Table QR code menu at Ichigyu](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-07-2adnl-900.webp) They also have instructions on how to eat gyukatsu the best way, so even first-timers can easily follow along! ![Instructions on how to eat gyukatsu the best way](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-08-jmmn7-621.webp) Three sauces come out too, so you can pick whatever suits your taste. Today's picks: sirloin gyukatsu ₩19,500, steak-style sirloin ₩19,500, cold soba & fried shrimp ₩11,000, mini curry ₩5,000 (Nang tried to stop me but I ordered it anyway haha). ![Table set with three different sauces](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-09-x0jbf-900.webp) Ooh, the rice comes out like this too haha. I went to scoop a bit and was momentarily thrown by the size of the rice paddle haha, but veteran-Nang wasn't fazed at all. Even after generously serving ourselves into rice bowls, there was still some left. What generosity! ![Rice served with a large rice paddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-10-11vbo-900.webp) Ta-da...!!! It really comes out as a full, generous spread ![Full gyukatsu set spread on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-11-18tjo-900.webp) ## Gyukatsu vs steak-style gyukatsu: what is the difference? This is Nang's gyukatsu! Great marbling and the meat was pretty thick! ![Thick-cut sirloin gyukatsu](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-12-4yn0n-966.webp) And here's my steak-style gyukatsu! I've usually only had regular gyukatsu, so I was super curious about this one!!! ![Ichigyu steak-style sirloin plate](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-13-1eyi2-900.webp) It's sirloin with Ichigyu's special sauce, and even before grilling, the grain of the meat already looked so soft! ![Grain of the steak-style sirloin before grilling](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-14-1ftfs-900.webp) The difference between gyukatsu and steak gyukatsu: gyukatsu has more of a chewy meat texture, while the steak one is completely tender and soft Veteran-Nang's take: gyukatsu feels like ribeye-style tonkatsu haha, and the steak one feels like tenderloin-style tonkatsu!! Honestly that's exactly the right way to put it haha ![Gyukatsu and steak gyukatsu placed together on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-15-1vhp4-900.webp) ## Cold soba and fried shrimp: a palate reset between cutlets Next came the cold soba and fried shrimp — this restaurant's cold soba is seriously delicious...! ![Ichigyu's cold soba and fried shrimp](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-16-wuqk9-966.webp) Everyone's probably focused on the gyukatsu (right? haha), but the cold soba... exceeded expectations..!!! The gyukatsu can get greasy after a while, but eating this cold soba totally resets your palate ![Picking up cold soba noodles with chopsticks](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-17-h2i32-900.webp) The fried shrimp was also pretty crispy with great texture, good as a side while working through the gyukatsu ![Crispy fried shrimp served as a side](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-18-uwhtt-900.webp) ## How to grill gyukatsu: 7 to 8 seconds in Isigny butter One thing that really stood out to me about Ichigyu's gyukatsu — they give you Isigny butter like this!? At other places I've just grilled it plain on the griddle! Once you coat it in this butter, the flavor definitely... no wait, the smell too... and then you put the gyukatsu on top of that..!? haha How could that not be delicious It cooks faster than you'd think once it's on the griddle, so turning it for about 7-8 seconds was just right! ![Grilling gyukatsu on the griddle with Isigny butter](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-19-1a9g9-966.webp) I tried the gyukatsu first, and honestly, I used to think all gyukatsu tasted pretty much the same...? Yeah, I take that back. ![Cross-section of gyukatsu after grilling on the griddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-20-15o7c-966.webp) Ichigyu's gyukatsu was way more delicious than I expected haha. Crispy on the outside, tender meat, and grilling it yourself keeps the juices alive — and the meat quality definitely doesn't feel dry or tough! ![Sirloin gyukatsu, crispy outside and tender inside](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-21-1d58r-966.webp) ![Piece of gyukatsu grilled in butter](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-22-1jmdq-966.webp) And the steak gyukatsu, which I tried for the first time!! It had a totally different feel from regular gyukatsu — the meat was seriously tender and moist...! Me, who thought all gyukatsu types were basically the same... taking it back again haha. Personally I found the steak gyukatsu way more delicious, so I'll probably pick this one again next time! You can dip it into Ichigyu's own special sauce and the chili sauce too!! Both were good, but personally I liked the special sauce more haha. It's got that sweet edge!! ![Steak gyukatsu dipped in special sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-23-1elri-900.webp) ## Is the 5,000-won mini curry worth adding? And this mini curry!!!! One of those menu items you'd feel bad skipping at a gyukatsu place haha ![A bowl of Ichigyu's mini curry](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry-24-1s3ke-966.webp) Eating meat and rice, then taking a bite of curry in between — it keeps you eating with zero chance of getting sick of anything... So for me, gyukatsu plus mini curry is basically a set menu haha > Final verdict There's the fun of grilling it yourself, and the lineup from gyukatsu to steak gyukatsu to cold soba was pretty satisfying overall! Ichigyu! Especially the steak gyukatsu, which I tried for the first time, was the most memorable dish for me haha. If you're near Balsan Station looking for a filling dinner, I'd recommend Ichigyu, the gyukatsu spot in Gangseo! Next time I'll have to go back and try something different haha. ## Where it is - Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch (이치규 발산역점) - 269-15 Gonghangdae-ro, 2nd floor, Room 211, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강서구 공항대로 269-15 2층 211호 - 37.5595716, 126.8375443 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9D%B4%EC%B9%98%EA%B7%9C%20%EB%B0%9C%EC%82%B0%EC%97%AD%EC%A0%90/@37.5595716,126.8375443,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@counter-seat-record/balsan-ichigyu-gyukatsu-cold-soba-mini-curry/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt