Ingye-dong cutlet lunch, salt-grilled steak set & coffee: Gyewondang

I'm a blogger who burns off energy with boxing every day and, as a fitness trainer, listens to what my body is telling me. This morning was busy from 7 a.m. I got carried away stretching with a foam roller and missed my subway, so I ended up spending more time at the library, studying psychology and writing my work log. After running my brain at full power, I felt completely drained.

After a nice phone call with my mom, I arrived at a hidden gem with a great vibe in Ingye-dong: Gyewondang (계원당). Chicken is a best friend for people who work out, but I heard Gyewondang has something a little extra, so I went to see for myself.

What is the atmosphere like at Gyewondang Ingye Branch?

Gyewondang Ingye Branch has a clean, tidy interior, so it works as a date spot in Ingye-dong too. That was the first thing that came to mind the moment I walked in.

You can feel the generous thoughtfulness all over the space, with consideration even for wheelchair users and guests bringing pets.

What meat is Gyewondang's chicken cutlet made from?

They say the chicken cutlet is made only with 100% boneless chicken thigh, not dry breast meat. That's the reason Gyewondang is called a true chicken cutlet spot, and thanks to their own method, it stays crispy all the way through, no matter where you bite in the full 360 degrees.

What's the salt-grilled steak set like?

I ordered Gyewondang's salt-grilled steak set (소금직화 스테끼반상). It comes with vegetables and meat together, so it was perfect even for me, someone who cares about balancing carbs, protein and fat.

The bean sprouts under the salt-grilled meat were cooked just right and added to the flavor of the meat.

Q. I heard it's great value. Is the portion enough?

A. Yes, really filling! For ₩12,500 the set is so neatly put together that you get both value for money and satisfaction.

Q. Does the owner have any special tips for visitors?

A. The owner sells coffee really cheaply for office workers at lunchtime. You can take away freshly brewed coffee from the shop without heading to a café after your meal, which saves both time and money.

After the meal I took away a cup of hot coffee, then went to the library and drank it while reading.

Gyewon cold salad, a trainer's recommendation

The Gyewon cold salad (계원 냉채) I ordered alongside was a great mix of fresh vegetables and chicken breast. I highly recommend it, so please do order it.

To me it pairs nicely with the fried cutlet, a smart combination that helps with blood sugar control and digestion too. My brain and muscles, worn out from studying all morning, felt healed at the same time.

Side dish refills, self-serve bar and aprons

The salt-grilled steak set came with a variety of sides, including soybean sprouts, radish kimchi (kkakdugi), soup and pickled radish, so the meal was a joy. If you want more of any side, you can help yourself at Gyewondang's self-serve bar!

There are also aprons next to the tray return, so if you're wearing white, make good use of them. After a hearty lunch I headed off to my personal training session. I'll be back, and Gyewondang Ingye Branch is a great place for coworkers around Ingye-dong to have lunch in a group.

Gyewondang Ingye Branch info summary

• Location: 1F Unit 102, 9 Ingye-ro 138beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea
• Hours: daily 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)
• They say it uses only 100% boneless chicken thigh for extreme tenderness
• The signature fried chicken steak is a must-try
• Discounted coffee for office workers at weekday lunch (best value around)
• Parking: underground parking available (street parking in front of the shop 11:20–14:00)