Cheonan gyukatsu restaurant: window seat and Set B garlic sauce, Izawa

Where is Izawa Cheonan Sinbu-dong Branch?

Izawa Cheonan Sinbu-dong Branch is a Japanese gyukatsu restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building in the middle of the Cheonan Terminal eatery street. I hadn't had proper Japanese food in a while, so I went for dinner near the terminal in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan, and I left really satisfied.

It sits right in the heart of the Cheonan Terminal eatery street, so it's very easy to get to. It's on the 2nd floor of the building,

and if you look for the 'Aurie Yachae Gopchang' (아우리에 야채곱창) sign on the 1st floor, it's much easier to find.

What is the atmosphere like at Izawa?

The restaurant is spacious and pleasant, with big windows so you can look down at the Sinbu-dong street while you eat. Walking in, it didn't feel stuffy at all, just perfect for a relaxed meal.

Warm wood tones, soft lighting, and a bright cherry blossom tree decorating one side of the room gave it a charming mood, like a casual restaurant in Japan.

There's even a spot to stash your umbrella on rainy days.

Does Izawa Sinbu-dong still sell donkatsu?

They told us the Sinbu-dong branch won't be doing donkatsu (pork cutlet) from now on, but the signature gyukatsu will keep being sold, for good!

There's also a nice event running: write a Naver receipt photo review and you get a free mini curry, so definitely join in!

Ordering Gyukatsu Set B and setting up the brazier

We didn't hesitate and ordered Set B, Izawa's best combo.

After you order, a staff member puts solid fuel in the brazier and lights it. Watching the flames flare up while you wait is half the fun. Being able to grill the meat to the doneness you like is a real draw.

Looking around, I saw descriptions of menu items like steak don (sutekidon) and pork belly (dontoro) rice bowls posted on the wall.

The counter has a note saying rice and salad can be refilled, there's info about the Wi-Fi too, and there were aprons on the wall, haha.

What's in Izawa's Gyukatsu Set B, and how does it taste?

Gyukatsu Set B comes on a single-person tray with rice, soup, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), two special sauces, cabbage salad, and the gyukatsu with its rosy red cross-section. The set I'd been waiting for finally arrived, and the neat presentation was appealing.

The cabbage salad was generously topped with nutty sesame dressing, great for getting the appetite going. The gyukatsu itself had a thin, crispy coating packed with moist, rare beef, and I couldn't help but marvel just looking at it.

I laid the gyukatsu on the well-heated mini brazier stone one piece at a time.

I only cooked each side briefly and took a bite. Wow, the moment it hit my mouth, rich juices burst out and the meat melted away! The crunchy coating with the tender beef inside was the ultimate 'crispy outside, juicy inside' (겉바속촉).

Which sauce goes best with the gyukatsu?

Izawa's gyukatsu is delicious dipped in the special soy sauce that comes with it, and dipping it in the garlic sauce doubles the mellow flavor.

My favorite combo, of course, was a dab of sharp fresh wasabi on the gyukatsu with crunchy cabbage salad alongside!

It tastes clean, with no chance to feel greasy, which is just art. Putting it on top of rice like gyukatsu sushi is a treat too.

About halfway through, they swapped out the grill plate for us. They also added more solid fuel, so the fire got stronger!!

Izawa Sinbu-dong hours and break time

Izawa Cheonan Sinbu-dong Branch opens at 11:30 a.m., and break time is 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., so keep that in mind when you visit! The restroom is clean and just half a floor up.

Why I recommend Izawa for dinner near Cheonan Terminal

If you want a proper meal in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan, this is a Cheonan Terminal restaurant I can recommend without hesitation. Friendly service, a clean and atmospheric interior, and above all overwhelmingly good gyukatsu: it was a dinner where all three were perfect.

If you're looking for a date spot near the terminal, or want to treat yourself to a special, filling dinner, do visit Izawa Cheonan Sinbu-dong Branch. You might just meet the gyukatsu of your life!