Weekend sirloin gyukatsu set for two near Yeouido Station: Izawa

Today I went to Yeouido and found a proper gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant, so I have to tell you about it! It's Izawa Yeouido Direct Store, located near Yeouido Station.

42 Yeouinaru-ro, 203-ho, 204-ho, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea — Izawa

Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-9pm / break time 3-5pm / last order 8:30pm

A quick walk from Yeouido Station — any waiting?

True to its reputation as one of the go-to gyukatsu spots near Yeouido Station, it's just a short walk from the station. It's also close to The Hyundai and IFC Mall, so it fits perfectly into a shopping trip or a Han River date course. During the lunch peak, Yeouido office workers pack the place and there can be a wait, so I'd recommend visiting with a little buffer time. (I went on a weekend.)

Even when I got there, almost every table was full except one or two. The windows were big and the interior felt pretty spacious. There were quite a few tables on the opposite side from where I took photos too!

Izawa Yeouido Direct Store menu and prices

• [Signature] Gyukatsu set (sirloin) ₩18,000
• [Signature] Curry gyukatsu (sirloin) ₩20,000
• [Signature] Steki set (sirloin) ₩18,000
• Steki don (sirloin) ₩18,000
• Pork toro don ₩13,500

I ordered the gyukatsu set (sirloin) for two. Izawa's signature is unmistakably the gyukatsu set! Besides the gyukatsu set, there's also a solid lineup of hearty meal options.

What comes with the individual gyukatsu set

After not too long a wait, the neatly arranged gyukatsu set came out. Rice, miso soup, diced radish kimchi, cabbage salad, and two kinds of special sauce — all so clean! It's served in a nicely plated individual tray, and it passes the visual test right away. Fluffy rice, warm soup, tidy sauces. I asked for more ginger while eating, and they kindly refilled it again, haha.

Ah, I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it. Look at the thickness of the gyukatsu and that vivid red marbling... ugh, I want to eat it again. The outside is fried with a thin, crispy coating, while the inside is sliced moist and rare — the look alone is a total win.

A mini brazier at every table, grilled to your liking

Each seat comes with an adorable little mini brazier set up at the table. Being able to grill the meat to whatever doneness you like right there is such a treat unique to gyukatsu, haha. The stone plate heats up fast, so you don't have to wait long — it cooks right away, which is super convenient. If the brazier's coals die down, just tell staff and they'll swap them out for you right away, very kindly!

The heat is strong, so just a quick sear on each side is all it takes to get it perfectly cooked!

How does it taste with salt and fresh wasabi?

I dipped a well-cooked piece lightly in salt and popped it straight into my mouth — the moment I bit down, tender beef juices burst through the crispy coating. No toughness, no gamey smell at all, it just melts in your mouth... If you like it less cooked, sear just the surface lightly for rare; if you like it well-done, grill it a bit more golden — so even friends with different tastes can each get exactly what they want.

Adding a bit of fresh wasabi on top cuts through the richness completely, so there's no room for it to feel greasy! As soon as the meat hits the stone plate, it sizzles — and the smell hits you first. Since it's beef, grilling it too long can make it tough, so you want it seared just enough to lose the pink, keeping it crisp outside and juicy inside. Can you see the juices glistening in the photo, haha.

When is Yeouido gyukatsu a good idea?

It was also nice that they served a crunchy cabbage salad!! The atmosphere is clean and the location is right by the station, so it's great for a Yeouido date course too. If you're craving gyukatsu and looking for a place that won't disappoint, this one's worth a try!

From the tender beef juices to the fun of grilling it yourself with your own hands — if you want a satisfying lunch or you're craving good Japanese-style grilled beef around Yeouido, I recommend Izawa Yeouido Direct Store! It'd also be great after work with a cold draft beer when you're craving good Japanese-style grilled beef!