Cheongju restaurant lunch comparing black gyukatsu: Momo Lab

My wife and I visited Momo Lab (모모랩) for lunch while on a date in Cheongju’s Seongan-gil. As a couple who love gyukatsu (Japanese beef cutlet), we were curious that they had not only regular gyukatsu but also black gyukatsu with a dark breading. This time, we ordered one regular gyukatsu and one black gyukatsu so we could compare them ourselves.

Momo Lab exterior and parking

Momo Lab is on the first floor of the Art Avenue 198 building. Its mint-colored sign and arched entrance stand out, so it was easy to find.

If you are driving, search for “Art Avenue 198” to be directed to the parking lot, then visit the security office on the right to ask for the lot to be opened. Bring your receipt when leaving after your meal for parking confirmation.

Inside at lunch and the wait

Inside, everything was neatly organized. There was a variety of seating, from standard two-person tables to tables for four. We visited around noon, and it was busy, so we waited about five minutes before being seated.

Japanese dishes beyond gyukatsu

Momo Lab sells a range of Japanese dishes besides gyukatsu, including a salmon set meal, mazesoba (mixed ramen), cream udon, and steak don (rice bowl). It was busy at lunch, but our food arrived about 10 minutes after we ordered, so we could start eating without a long wait.

Welcome tea and black gyukatsu

While we waited after ordering, we each received a welcome tea mixed with omija (five-flavor berry) and bokbunja (Korean black raspberry). Its sweet-tart flavor was light and nice for whetting the appetite.

First, the black gyukatsu really stood out for its black breading, just as the name suggests. The thick-cut meat still had a reddish center, which looked very appetizing.

At first, I thought the thing on the grill was butter, but it turned out to be rice cake. Don’t get confused like I did..

After placing butter on the grill, we cooked each piece of black gyukatsu to our preferred doneness, which added the rich flavor of butter, too. It was delicious even with just the standard sauce, which brought out more savory depth, and a little wasabi added a sharp kick that went really well with it.

Comparing regular and black gyukatsu

The regular gyukatsu had golden breading and thick meat, and it looked appetizing too. Like the black gyukatsu, it was crisp outside and tender inside, with the mild beef pairing nicely with the rich breading. We warmed one piece at a time on the grill and enjoyed it alternately with the standard sauce and wasabi.

Personally, I liked the black gyukatsu more than the regular one because its dark outer coating made the nutty flavor come through more strongly. We ordered the regular sizes this time to compare the two, but next time I am thinking of getting the black gyukatsu in jumbo or double size for a more filling meal.

Things to know before visiting

• If you are driving, searching for “Art Avenue 198” in navigation will conveniently direct you to the parking lot.
• When using the underground parking lot, park first, then visit the security office on the right to ask for the parking lot to be opened.
• It is a good idea to bring your receipt when leaving after your meal for parking confirmation.
• I visited around noon and waited about five minutes. Although there were many customers, the food I ordered arrived in about 10 minutes.

Final thoughts after alternating both dishes

• My wife and I visited for a date and ordered one gyukatsu and one black gyukatsu; it was fun comparing them by eating them alternately.
• Personally, the black gyukatsu, with the added nuttiness of its dark breading, suited my taste better than the regular gyukatsu.
• Next time, I am thinking of ordering the black gyukatsu in jumbo or double size for a more filling meal.