Gyukatsu restaurant in Isu, Seoul with mini grills: Hurato Sikdang

If you want to enjoy really proper Japanese food near Isu Station, there's a place you have to try. It's Hurato Sikdang Isu Branch, already a well-known Isu Station favorite.

Where is Hurato Sikdang Isu Branch and how do you get there?

Hurato Sikdang Isu Branch is located on the 2nd floor at 6 Sadang-ro 28-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, right in front of Isu Station, so it's really easy to get to. It's such a famous spot that I'd been wanting to visit for a while, and this was finally my chance.

Even from outside, it has that distinct feel of a Japanese restaurant straight out of Japan. Signs and banners along the way up to the 2nd floor greet you. There's a standing sign near the entrance introducing the signature menu items, which gets you excited to decide what to order before you even step inside.

Inside the second floor dining room: is Hurato Sikdang good for a date?

Walking into Hurato Sikdang Isu Branch, the interior is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. Soft lighting paired with wood interiors creates a cozy Japanese restaurant atmosphere, and the tables are spaced generously enough for a relaxed meal. The open kitchen shows off busy staff moving around, adding a lively energy. The vibe is good enough for lunch, dinner, or even a date near Isu Station.

Ordering by QR code at the table

One of the unique things about Hurato Sikdang Isu Branch is how you order. Most restaurants these days have tablet kiosks at each table, but here you scan a QR code at your table with your smartphone instead. It felt unfamiliar at first, but once I tried it, contactless ordering was surprisingly simple and fast — really convenient. That said, I imagine it could feel a bit tricky for people who aren't used to smart devices. There's a helpful guide at the table on how to enjoy Hurato's gyukatsu properly, good reading while you wait for the food.

Gyukatsu grilled to your liking on the mini grill

That day I ordered two of Hurato's signature dishes: gyukatsu and the steki set.

The gyukatsu (fried beef cutlet) arrives fried crispy on the outside and rare, bright red inside. Thanks to Hurato's own aging method, the quality of the meat really stands out. Once staff light the individual mini grill at your table, you grill each piece to whatever doneness you like. The sizzling sound and smell as it cooks hit all the senses. Grilled lightly and dipped in wasabi, the house special sauce, or salt, it delivers that crispy-outside, melt-in-your-mouth-inside texture. It tasted exactly like the gyukatsu I had on a trip to Japan — genuinely delicious.

The steki set: yakiniku-style thin beef

The steki set we also ordered is a grilled beef set served yakiniku-style. The thinly sliced beef had marbling that looked fresh and excellent at a glance. Just pick up a piece with the tongs, lay it on the mini grill, and lightly grill both sides. Searing just the surface and popping it in your mouth releases rich juices along with that deep, savory beef flavor. It paired beautifully with the rice, miso soup, and basic side dishes, so good that I didn't get tired of it down to the last bite.

Adding extra meat, and the one drawback

The meat was so good that we ended up ordering extra, and it was all satisfying. If you want a heartier meal, adding extra meat is a good idea.

Overall, the food quality, the atmosphere, and the location all made for a very satisfying meal. One thing though — the drinks were a bit pricey, which was a bit disappointing. Still, given how good the food and atmosphere were overall, it was understandable.

If you're near Sadang or Isu Station and want proper gyukatsu and a Japanese set meal, I'd strongly recommend Hurato Sikdang Isu Branch. You can fully feel the taste and vibe of Japan here, making it a great choice for an Isu lunch spot or a special-occasion meal. It's a place I'd love to come back to next time I'm craving good gyukatsu.