Japanese restaurant in Jung, Seoul for grilled gyukatsu: Furato Shokudo

I had gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) at Furato Shokudo Seoul Square Direct Store near Seoul Station. The neatly arranged set meal was nice, but what stayed with me was being able to grill one piece at a time on the tabletop brazier and eat it warm at my own pace.

How do you get there from Seoul Station?

It was about a two-minute walk from Exit 9 of Seoul Station. Enter Seoul Square through the main entrance on the first floor, take the escalator on the left down, and the restaurant is immediately on the left. The address is 416 Hangang-daero, Basement 1, B1F-4, Jung-gu, Seoul.

The hours listed in the original post were daily from 11:00 to 20:50, with a break from 15:00 to 17:00. Last orders were listed as 14:30 for lunch and 20:20 for dinner. Group dining and takeout are also available.

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

The interior was clean and comfortable. Its overall warm wood tones gave it a calm feel.

There were tables for two and four. A tabletop brazier was neatly set at every table, making it feel a little like being in a cozy Japanese restaurant.

What else is on the menu besides gyukatsu?

Kirin Ichiban draft beer was also available at the time of my visit. There was also a notice saying that joining the review event would get you one canned drink or mini karaage for free.

Besides gyukatsu, the menu included steak set meals, steak rice bowls, Japanese-style omurice, barbecue chicken rice bowls, Furato chilled soba, and beef brisket rice bowls.

There were also set menus that let you choose several dishes. We ordered the gyukatsu.

What comes with the gyukatsu set?

The gyukatsu came as an individual set with rice topped with furikake (seasoned rice topping) and warm miso soup. It also included kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), jalapeños, cabbage salad, and ginger, along with fresh wasabi, chili sauce, a house soy sauce, and salt.

The gyukatsu had a thin, crisp coating. When it first arrived, the inside was moist and medium-rare, with a bright red color.

How was the gyukatsu grilled on the tabletop brazier?

When I placed the meat on the tabletop brazier, it sizzled and a savory meaty aroma rose up. It was fun to cook it myself to the doneness I wanted.

I like my gyukatsu well done, so I cooked it thoroughly. The coating was crisp, while the meat was juicy, moist, and tender.

It was good on its own, but adding a little fresh wasabi and dipping it in salt or the house soy sauce brought out the meat's flavor more clearly.

A piece of well-cooked gyukatsu over warm furikake rice made for a satisfying meal.

Because I could grill small amounts at my own pace, every piece stayed warm through the last bite. That was what I liked most about cooking it myself.

How was it for a quick meal near Seoul Station?

The food came out quickly during my visit, and the neatly arranged individual set made it easy to eat. Being close to Seoul Station, it seemed like a reasonable option for a meal before catching a train or during a short lunch break. I also remember the clean restaurant and the kind service from the staff.