Gwanak steak set with mini curry at Izawa, a Japanese restaurant

I visited Izawa Sharosugil Branch, a great Sharosugil spot near Seoul National University Entrance Station for dining alone. Izawa is a gyukatsu (Japanese beef cutlet) specialty chain that was the first in Korea to introduce gyukatsu. I was looking for somewhere to have dinner near the station, and it seemed like an eating-out option that would work even while dieting, so I ended up here.

Izawa Sharosugil Branch is a Seoul National University Entrance Station restaurant where dining alone never feels awkward. Rather than ordering gyukatsu, the popular signature item at this Sharosugil favorite, I tried the less-popular steak—and it was so good! I’ll show you a recommended side, too. Let’s get into my solo meal near Seoul National University Entrance Station.

Location of this Sharosugil restaurant near Seoul National University Entrance Station

Izawa Sharosugil Branch is a 5-minute walk from Seoul National University Entrance Station.

It is on Sharosugil’s main street, so it is easy to find, and being on the second floor gives it an open feel. There is no separate parking lot; I recommend Gwanak-gu Office Parking Lot, about a 2-minute walk away.

It is known as a popular lunch and dinner spot near Seoul National University Entrance Station, so waits are common at those times. But you can receive a mini momil (cold buckwheat noodles) or a drink while waiting, which makes the wait a little more fun.

An interior comfortable for solo meals and dates

The kind staff welcome you at Izawa Sharosugil Branch. The interior is neat and has more seats than you might expect. There is even group seating for up to eight people. If you reserve before visiting, you can go straight in without waiting. It is great for dining alone near Seoul National University Entrance Station, and as it is on the second floor with plenty of sunlight, the atmosphere is lovely for a Sharosugil date as well.

Izawa Sharosugil Branch menu and prices

• Gyukatsu set: ₩18,000
• Steak set: ₩18,000
• Gyukatsu curry: ₩20,000
• Double set: ₩33,000
• Extra gyukatsu meat: ₩15,000
• Extra steak meat: ₩15,000
• Set menu for two: ₩36,500–₩46,500
• Karai ramen: ₩12,000
• Basil ramen: ₩12,000
• Mazesoba: ₩12,000

Izawa’s signature dish is gyukatsu made with sirloin, but this time I decided to try something different. There were lots of reviews saying the steak set, made with the same sirloin cut, and the curry were delicious, so I added a mini curry too.

Steak set and mini curry combination

This is the steak set. It is great for a solo meal in Sharosugil: even when you order a one-person menu, it arrives as a full, neatly arranged tray. You get a personal brazier, too, so it is easy to enjoy your meal. The plating is pretty enough for photos, which is why I also recommend this Seoul National University Entrance Station restaurant for dates.

With a set meal, you get rice, soup, three sauces, and side dishes. Everything except the meat can be refilled for free if you ask the staff, so it is great for a filling meal.

This is the steak. Compared with gyukatsu, it does not have a fried coating and comes a little more cooked through. It also felt like a smaller portion than the gyukatsu.

No matter when I visit Izawa, the quality of the meat is always so good.

Since it takes a little time to cook, I put several pieces on at once. Being able to eat beef this comfortably when dining out—isn’t that the ultimate restaurant meal?.. Whenever the grill seemed like it was not cooking well, they changed the grate for me, so I could eat comfortably.

With the steak order, they also bring this sweet sauce, and this combination was so tasty. It is not overly sweet, so it is good even when you dip the meat right in.

The curry was the standout extra. I totally recommend adding it. It is spicy, so it pairs well with the rich beef. The portion is surprisingly generous too, and mixing it into white rice made for such a satisfying meal.

I ordered an extra serving of that delicious steak too.. haha

Recommended for solo meals and dates

I recommend Izawa Sharosugil Branch, a Sharosugil favorite near Seoul National University Entrance Station that is great for solo meals and dates!