Yeouido gyukatsu restaurant with a Sunday lunch wait: Izawa

My husband and I had a dermatology date even on the weekend, and you've got to eat something good after a skin treatment, right? This time we went to Izawa Yeouido Direct Store, a famous restaurant near Yeouido Station. I'd had gyukatsu (beef cutlet) there once back when we were dating, and the memory came back to me, so we returned after a long while — both the nostalgia and the taste made it a satisfying trip.

Does Izawa in Yeouido have a wait at Sunday lunch?

Izawa Yeouido Direct Store had a wait even at Sunday lunchtime — no surprise for such a famous spot. Luckily the turnover was decent, so we didn't wait as long as I expected.

Did singer Lim Young-woong really eat at Izawa?

While looking around, I spotted a trace of a visit — it looked like singer Lim Young-woong had been here. If you're a fan, that's a little detail that might make you smile.

Parking at Izawa: free only in the ground-level lot

One reason I picked Izawa Yeouido Direct Store was the free parking. Parking fees in Yeouido can be a real burden, so free parking felt like a real win.

One important thing, though — the free parking only applies if you park in the ground-level lot. If you're planning a visit, keep that in mind :)

What we ordered at Izawa: gyukatsu double and pan-momil

My husband and I ordered the gyukatsu double (sirloin) and pan-momil at Izawa.

• Gyukatsu double (sirloin)
• Pan-momil (cold buckwheat noodles)

We're both big meat lovers, so choosing the double gyukatsu was a no-brainer. We used to come here often for gyukatsu when we were dating, and eating it again after so long brought back a wave of memories.

Grilling the gyukatsu yourself on a mini brazier

The moment the gyukatsu double arrived, I was impressed by how it looked. Made with fresh beef, it looked seriously appetizing — a true signature dish of Izawa. The biggest charm of gyukatsu is that you get to grill it yourself on a mini brazier!

Izawa's unusual garlic and soy sauces

The sauces served with the gyukatsu were impressive too. I expected something like tonkatsu sauce, but it was completely different. One had a garlicky flavor, and the other seemed like a soy-based sauce with oil mixed in. Both went so well with the meat that we had fun alternating dips.

Being meat lovers, we happily grilled each piece on the brazier ourselves.

But whenever I got a piece perfectly cooked, my husband would sneak it before I could eat it...? It was definitely my piece of meat, and then suddenly — gone. Huh...? 😂

A draft beer with the gyukatsu

Honestly, my husband and I had a little tiff that day. Nothing serious, but the mood was a bit off. So I ordered a draft beer. With delicious meat and a cold beer, my mood lifted a little — good food really does soothe the heart too.

Pan-momil at Izawa: a generous portion

The pan-momil we ordered alongside was satisfying too. We got the large portion, and it turned out to be more generous than expected. Eating only meat can feel a bit heavy, but the cool buckwheat noodles in between made for a great combination. Gyukatsu and pan-momil together really never fail.

The quality of the meat was really good too. The texture was tender and clearly fresh, and lightly grilling it on the brazier kept the juices in. If you're a gyukatsu fan, I think you'll be satisfied.

Is Izawa worth it for a Yeouido date?

Returning to Izawa Yeouido Direct Store after a long while, we had fun grilling the meat ourselves, the quality was satisfying, and the pairing with pan-momil worked well — we ate well and enjoyed ourselves. It has a good atmosphere for couples on a date or spouses out for a meal, so if you're looking for a restaurant near Yeouido Station or a Yeouido date spot, it's worth a visit. We finished a delicious Sunday lunch and wrapped up the day on a happy note :)