Gangseo Japanese restaurant with wasabi gyukatsu: Ichigyu

Normally I’m such a huge pork cutlet fan that I’d been eating it nonstop lately, but recently I couldn’t stop saying I wanted something different—gyukatsu (Japanese beef cutlet). (I guess I really am a pig.) Hehe. Then, right on cue!!!! I found Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch, a great spot near Balsan Station!! Sooo~~ off I went!!

It isn’t far from Balsan Station, so getting there was easy enough. We visited a little early on a weekday evening, and family groups and couples on dates kept filing in behind us! If we’d been just a little later... we might have had to wait. Phew...

Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch: Location and Hours

• Location: 211, 2F, 269-15 Gonghang-daero, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 강서구 공항대로 269-15 2층 211호)
• About 116 m, a 2-minute walk from Balsan Station Exit 1
• Hours: 11:30–21:30
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Last orders: 14:30 and 21:00
• Parking available; free for 120 minutes

Choosing a Gyukatsu Set and Napolitan by QR Order

We were shown to a table for two, sat down, and scanned the QR code on the table to order.

It was convenient because we didn’t need to call over a staff member, and we could check our order right away on our phones.

My friend and I debated the menu, then ordered Ichigyu’s signature gyukatsu set—and because we were craving noodles, yakisoba Napolitan too! One gyukatsu seemed like it might not be enough to share, so we ordered extra meat separately!!

First, the rice came in the cutest little bowl! Hahaha, so adorable. Each table had a small grill, while tables for four had two!

Gyukatsu Grilled Over Butter

Finally, the star of the meal, the gyukatsu set, arrived! It came with sauces, miso soup, and butter to put on the grill. Such a satisfying spread!!

The meat arrives ready for you to grill yourself, and seriously... it looked delicious just sitting there... for real. (But really, how can it be fried and still completely uncooked inside? Every time I eat gyukatsu, it amazes me...)

Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch’s gyukatsu has a crispy coating, but it isn’t thick, so it feels less rich and greasy.

Okay, first, melt the butter allll over the mini grill on the table, then grill the meat on top. (We added another butter too, haha.) Hehe, shall we grill a piece~~~ Having the grill at the table meant we could each cook it exactly how we liked, which was great!!

Switching It Up with Salt, Special Sauce, and Wasabi

What I loved most at Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch was being able to change up the flavors with three options: salt, special sauce, and wasabi! Out of them, my personal number-one pick had to be wasabi... haha. It made the meat feel clean and light.

The special sauce was a slightly sweet and savory gyukatsu sauce, while the wasabi added a sharp kick that really cut through the richness.

We added extra meat too, and that portion came in the same thick slices. If you’re eating as two and think one serving of meat might feel lacking?!! Ordering it this way seems perfect!!

The miso soup was savory and salty too—just right for cutting through the richness.

Yakisoba Napolitan That Paired Well with Gyukatsu

The yakisoba Napolitan we ordered alongside it had ketchup-based stir-fried noodles topped with a soft-fried egg and a big whole sausage. It was packed with vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli too, which I personally liked even more.

Its sweet-and-tangy flavor balanced the rich gyukatsu really well. The noodles were fairly thick, so they had a definite chew too.

How Was It as a Balsan Station Date Spot?

Overall, it was absolutely a worthy gyukatsu restaurant in Balsan, and at around ₩20,000 per person, the price didn’t feel burdensome either. The atmosphere was quiet and cozy, making it just right for a Balsan Station date! Planning to come back on another date ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️