Wonju restaurant with a sirloin steak set and free parking: Ichigyu

I went on a trip to Wonju last weekend and thought of a gyukatsu spot I visited last year, so I went back again 🙌 It's already known among locals as a Wonju must-eat, with a wait on weekdays and weekends alike, but Ichigyu Wonju is worth enduring the line for. This time I even tried the sirloin steak set, and it was so light and satisfying that I was genuinely happy 😋

Where is Ichigyu Wonju, and how long is the wait?

Ichigyu Wonju sits on the first floor of Lotte Cinema in Musil-dong, so it's easy to get to, and with plenty to do nearby it's constantly loved as a date-course Wonju gyukatsu spot. I got there right at opening time and luckily there was one seat open, so I got in right away — if there's no seat, there's a waitlist sheet at the entrance where you write your name and party size and wait outside. Weekends don't take reservations, but weekdays can be booked in advance through Naver Place, so keep that in mind 🙌

Walk inside and the warm, moody interior feels like it was lifted straight out of a Japanese restaurant. With solo seats, couple seats, and group seats all available, it's a comfortable Wonju gyukatsu spot no matter who you're eating with. There are baby chairs too, so I saw families as well as solo diners, and turnover was better than I expected, so even with a wait, it wasn't too long.

What's on the menu at Ichigyu Wonju

Last year you could choose between tenderloin and sirloin, but now it's sirloin only, with a choice of basic or double portion — and I loved that you can get a generous amount. À la carte options include hambagu omurice, Japanese curry, steki-don, teppan chopped steak, cold soba, Napolitan, and more, plus sides, so it's a Wonju gyukatsu spot where you can eat as heartily as you like! They also fill your personal grill's rice pot generously, so even the guys should leave full.

I ordered the gyukatsu set and the sirloin steak set, both basic, and the portions were still generous. Rice and side dishes are refillable at Ichigyu Wonju, and there's a mini curry too, so I liked that I could customize my own combination and eat as much as I wanted. The gyukatsu was great last year too, but the steki (steak) I tried for the first time this time was light and totally my taste — the best!!!

How to grill the gyukatsu set in Isigny butter

Ichigyu Wonju's gyukatsu set is made by quickly frying the outside of a light, mild sirloin cut and serving it with Ichigyu's signature itae sauce, known for its garlicky aroma and tangy kick. You get a soft, crispy-outside-tender-inside texture that's a main dish everyone from kids to adults loves 💛 Since it's known as a Wonju must-eat, turnover is good, which means the meat used is always fresh — so it's satisfying every time, and it's always just as delicious every visit.

They add the Isigny butter that comes with the set, and you just grill the gyukatsu right there until golden. Dipping it in the signature sauce is delicious, but eating it plain with salt and wasabi is also great. After a few pieces you might start to feel a bit heavy, and that's when the pickled ginger comes in — it refreshes your palate and cleans things up so you can dig back in 😁

What does the sirloin steak set taste like?

Ichigyu Wonju is known for its gyukatsu, but if you like a lighter dish, I'd actually recommend the sirloin steak set — the outside isn't fried, so the natural flavor of the sirloin shines through and it's tender and wonderful to eat. The portion of meat is generous and lightly seasoned, so it goes great with rice, and the kids loved it too!

Melt the Isigny butter on the grill, then sear a piece of steki until golden and pair it with the itae sauce, or just top it with a bit of wasabi for a burst of savory flavor 🍖 It's good enough that I want to come back whenever I'm craving steak in Wonju — you can control how well-done you want it, and there's fun in mixing different sauces too, making Ichigyu Wonju a great spot for a movie-and-dinner date at Lotte Cinema.

Parking at Ichigyu Wonju: 2 hours free

Ichigyu Wonju offers a generous 2 hours of free parking. Grilling right there on the Japanese-style tabletop grill makes everything taste even better, and with plating and interior full of travel-worthy charm, it's a Wonju gyukatsu spot I'd love to visit again! The buttery gyukatsu is delicious of course, but the light steak and the range of Japanese dishes mean you can eat exactly what you're craving, and that keeps bringing me back. If you're looking for a real Wonju must-eat, give it a try 🙌