Seoul National Univ Station gyukatsu set for two with pink salt: Izawa

Where is Izawa Sharosugil Branch, and what are its hours?

Izawa Sharosugil Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) specialty Japanese restaurant on the 2nd floor at 28 Gwanak-ro 14-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, right on Sharosu-gil and very close to Exit 2 of Seoul National University Station. Hours are Mon–Fri 11:30–21:00 (last order 20:00) and Sat–Sun 11:30–21:30 (last order 20:30), with a break time from 15:00–17:00. There's no parking at the restaurant — you can park at the nearby Gwanak-gu Office, but no parking support is provided.

Here's a gyukatsu review with my husband after a long while!~ I once had incredible gyukatsu on a trip to Kyoto, Japan, and hadn't had it in Korea since. So I was extra excited... let's get into Izawa, a Sharosu-gil favorite!!🤎

The building and storefront on Sharosu-gil

Izawa is on the 2nd floor and right on Sharosu-gil, so it's super close to Exit 2 of Seoul National University Station!!

Climbing the stairs, these signs pop right into view in the hallway.

Visiting at 7pm on a weekday: was there a wait at Izawa?

We visited Izawa Sharosugil Branch a little after 7pm on a weekday and got in with no wait at all. I met my husband right after work, and there were a lot of customers inside. So it seems like weekends or lunchtime might come with a wait!! We got lucky and walked straight in haha.

Inside the second-floor dining room

True to its reputation near Seoul National University, Izawa was full of customers. But there are a lot of tables and the space is fairly spacious, so even with a wait, turnover should be quick!!

Izawa's menu and the SNU College of Engineering discount

Izawa Sharosugil Branch's menu includes basil ramen, whole mozzarella cheese katsu, and donkatsu (pork cutlet) besides gyukatsu. For a limited time in 2026, they've partnered with Seoul National University's College of Engineering — show a mobile or physical student ID and get a discount!!

I guess this partnership exists because Seoul National University is right nearby. Check the photo above for the exact discount details haha.

Here's the menu. We had gyukatsu this time, but I'm so curious about the basil ramen, and whole mozzarella cheese katsu is my love... I didn't even know Izawa had donkatsu. Next time I'm coming back for donkatsu and basil ramen!!! I can't stand not knowing...

What comes with the gyukatsu set for two, and the mini charcoal stove

What we ordered at Izawa Sharosugil Branch was the gyukatsu set for two. Since gyukatsu is the signature dish, every table comes with a mini charcoal stove set up by default.

And here it is!!!!! The gyukatsu!!!!

The gyukatsu came out with a neat, tidy table setting.

And then there's the cabbage with, I think, sesame dressing, which I really love. For me, sesame dressing is the tastiest thing on a cabbage salad?! Eating it in between bites of gyukatsu is nutty and sweet — absolutely perfect.

The basic side dishes were diced radish kimchi and, I think, mustard leaf kimchi..? Either way, they pair great with gyukatsu. As a sauce lover, having two sauces like this makes me deliriously happy. I dipped generously in both, over and over lol.

How did the gyukatsu taste?

Izawa's gyukatsu was so tender it practically melted the moment it hit my mouth — you could tell the meat quality was on another level. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Can you see the visual?? How did gyukatsu even come to be — whoever invented it is a genius... It melts right in your mouth... I was genuinely floored by how tender it was!!..

That sizzling sound is pure healing... I know I'm not the only one who thinks that...

Piling wasabi generously on the warm, grilled gyukatsu (I always get wrecked by wasabi but never learn) and eating it with rice was just... how do I even put this... it's genuinely deli.cious!!!!!!!!! First of all, the meat quality is different. My husband and I both had wide eyes, moved that it tasted even better since it had been so long haha.

Grill-plate and candle swaps, plus the pink salt on the table

At Izawa Sharosugil Branch, a staff member kept checking on the grill plate and flame strength throughout, and swapped out the plate and candle for us. There's also pink salt on the table.

They kept a close eye on the grill plate and flame strength throughout, and swapped the plate and candle so attentively!!! That kind of service made me think, I have to come back to Izawa!!

Wait... there was pink salt sitting right there on the table the whole time... I was too busy eating and totally forgot about it. I noticed it near the end and dipped the last of my gyukatsu in the salt too. Don't miss the salt like I did — dip it, seriously!! You know how it is... meat and salt is a classic combo haha. Speechless, speechless!!! We left feeling like we'd been treated to a healthy, well-put-together meal with my husband after a long time, and had a great time!!

Why Izawa works for lunch near Seoul National University Station

I highly, highly recommend Izawa as a spot near Seoul National University Station! We had it for dinner, but I think gyukatsu would be perfect as a lunch menu too — simple, protein-packed, and filling~!! If you're looking for lunch near Seoul National University Station, definitely give Izawa a try 🥰🥰