Yeoju Japanese restaurant for cold soba: Gyugyu Donkatsu

At noon on a day with beautiful weather, I headed toward Silleuksa Temple and the Namhangang Suspension Bridge in Yeoju.

While looking for a good Yeoju lunch spot, I came across Gyugyu Donkatsu.

It is worth keeping an eye on if you are looking for a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant in Yeoju, and the interior was prettier than I expected for a cutlet restaurant, making it nice for a little treat, too.

Gyugyu Donkatsu location and visitor information

Gyugyu Donkatsu is on the first floor at 57 Junae-ro, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 to 21:00, with last orders at 20:00, and is regularly closed on Mondays. There is a spacious parking area behind the restaurant, and it is a participating merchant for the Yeoju Love Card (Gyeonggi local currency).

Where is Gyugyu Donkatsu?

To give you the answer first: it is right near Yeoju’s Silleuksa Temple and the Namhangang Suspension Bridge.

Located on the first floor at 57 Junae-ro in Yeoju, Gyugyu Donkatsu is also a good option for anyone looking for a restaurant near Yeoju Premium Outlets or a ramen spot.

It was easy to fit into the itinerary before or after an outlet visit.

Atmosphere and conveniences

The atmosphere was cleaner and more orderly than I expected.

Rather than the oily smell typical of a tonkatsu specialty restaurant, the space felt fresh.

A certification sign for businesses using premium Yeoju rice was displayed on the wall.

You could see for yourself that they use Yeoju rice.

Side dishes, salad, and soup are provided as standard.

If you need more, you can refill them yourself at the refill bar, and it was convenient that there was even a separate handwashing sink.

High chairs and aprons were also available, so it seemed perfectly fine for a visit with children.

Taiwan ramen set and cold soba set

That day, I ordered the Taiwan ramen set and the cold soba set.

Both sets came with a combination of pork loin and tenderloin tonkatsu. Since it was a hot afternoon, I chose cool noodle dishes, and it felt like a substantial meal to get both noodles and tonkatsu in one set.

How thick is the tonkatsu?

The tonkatsu here is definitely unusually thick.

Both the loin and tenderloin tonkatsu were fried up nice and thick.

It was thick enough to feel filling for anyone who loves meat.

That said, the breading was thick as well. The top was crisp, but on the bottom there were bits where the characteristic taste of the frying flour came through slightly.

Next time, I think it would be nice to have it with a bit more sauce.

Cold soba and Taiwan ramen flavors

In short, the cold soba is undeniably a menu item that suits summer.

It came generously topped with grated radish, scallions, and shredded seaweed, with wasabi on the side, so it was fun to mix together. The soba noodles had a pleasantly chewy texture, too.

Still, I was a little disappointed that it seemed to have slightly too little slushy ice.

It would have been even more perfect if the ice had been crushed into finer pieces.

The Taiwan ramen I had alongside it had two soft-boiled eggs, chashu, and garlic chives over a spicy broth with a salty seasoning.

It is a menu item that will suit people who enjoy spicy ramen.

A walk across the Namhangang Suspension Bridge after the meal

When you leave Gyugyu Donkatsu, you can walk to the Namhangang Suspension Bridge.

Crossing the bridge for a stroll after eating is a route that suits a trip to Yeoju well. It is also close to the Silleuksa Temple tourist area, so they are easy to combine.

A meal of thick tonkatsu and cold soba

A good Yeoju lunch spot for enjoying thick tonkatsu and refreshing cold soba together.

Things to know before visiting

• There is a spacious parking area behind the restaurant, so you can visit without feeling rushed.
• Yeoju Premium Outlets, Silleuksa Temple, and the Namhangang Suspension Bridge are all nearby.
• Gyugyu Donkatsu is certified as a restaurant using premium Yeoju rice.
• Cold soba availability may vary by season, so I recommend checking before you visit.
• The seating is relatively spacious, making it suitable for family meals, family gatherings, and group visits.
• You can pay with the Yeoju Love Card (Gyeonggi local currency), as the restaurant is a participating merchant.

There is a review-event notice in the restaurant. You request a gift receipt from the staff, leave a review using the QR code, and have it confirmed to take part. For the detailed steps, I recommend referring to the restaurant’s notice when you visit.