Cold buckwheat soba and rosu katsu set in Yangju Okjeong: Himawari

What should I eat today? It's a question that comes up every lunch and dinner. Some days you want something filling but not too heavy, and you don't want the price to sting either. That's exactly the kind of day when Himawari, a Japanese restaurant in Yangju, comes to mind.

Himawari Yangju Okjeong parking and opening hours

Himawari Yangju Okjeong Main Branch is located at 경기 양주시 옥정동로7다길 108 105호. You can park right in the building where the restaurant is, which made things really convenient.

<Hours> Sat 11:00 - 21:00 (last order 20:55) Sun 11:00 - 21:00 (last order 20:55) Mon 11:00 - 21:00 (last order 20:55) Tue 11:00 - 21:00 (last order 20:55) Wed 11:00 - 21:00 (last order 20:55) Thu 11:00 - 21:00 (last order 20:55) Fri (9/25) closed for Chuseok holiday - No break time

True to its name, which means 'sunflower,' this is a place to enjoy a meal in a bright, warm mood. Himawari Yangju isn't just somewhere to grab a quick bite — it's a Japanese restaurant where you can feel the good ingredients and care that go into the food. The neatly arranged set meals work just as well for a clean date spot, a family dinner, or an impressive solo meal.

What's on the menu: katsu, udon, nabe and soba

Himawari has a wide menu ranging from various katsu to udon, nabe (hot pot), and soba, so whoever you go with, there's something to fit their taste. I liked that you can check the menu board outside before going in.

It was even better that you can order set meals in various combinations.

Inside Himawari: atmosphere and seating

The Himawari space isn't huge, but it feels cozy, and I noticed plenty of families and groups of friends dining there!

There are tables for two and tables for four, so groups can just split up as needed, haha.

Every table already has tonkatsu sauce and seasonings set out :)

What we ordered: rosu katsu set 13,000 won, cold soba set 12,000 won

It was hot that day, so first I ordered a zero-sugar cola, haha, and then went with the roasu katsu set (₩13,000) and the cold soba set (₩12,000).

Grinding your own sesame for Himawari's tonkatsu sauce

Following the instructions for how to eat the sauce, let's start by prepping it.

Grind the nutty sesame until smooth, then pour in the sweet sauce sitting in the little honey pot on the table — and that's it!

The main dishes came out generously portioned. Since it's a set meal, the value is great and the spread is solid.

What comes with the rosu katsu set?

This is Himawari's first menu item and its most basic offering, the roasu katsu set.

A crisply fried katsu comes with rice, clear broth soup, shredded cabbage, wasabi, sauce, and pickled side dishes, all on one tray.

The cabbage salad dressing sits on the table, so you can drizzle as much as you like.

The clear broth soup and pickled radish pair really well with the tonkatsu too.

A thick-cut loin fried in crispy breadcrumbs — pleasantly crunchy on the outside, and inside packed with the meat's own juicy richness.

The balance between the loin's nutty fat layer and its lean, clean meat is spot on — take one bite and deep flavor spreads through your mouth.

Cold buckwheat soba set: the right order on a hot day

Another must-order that pairs perfectly with the tonkatsu is the cold soba set.

Mix in toppings like scallion, radish, and wasabi to your taste, and the cold soba, with its deep, rich tsuyu broth, looks refreshingly cool with bits of ice floating on top.

The broth isn't overly sharp or sweet — the rich umami of soy sauce and bonito flakes really comes through, and it pairs perfectly with the chewy, well-boiled buckwheat noodles. After savoring the nutty, rich flavor of the roasu katsu, a sip of the cool, tangy cold soba broth resets your palate completely. If you're visiting with someone, I highly recommend ordering one roasu katsu set and one cold soba set to share.