Basement gyukatsu restaurant by Gwanghwamun Station Exit 1: Hurato

While on a date near Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung, I stopped by Hurato Sikdang Gyeongbokgung Main Branch, famous for its refined Japanese set meals and great atmosphere! It's always popular thanks to the classy vibe of grilling your own meat at a personal mini stove, and the crispy-outside, juicy-inside texture of the gyukatsu.

I'm sharing everything here — the store's location, the sleek interior, the menu lineup and date-friendly prices, and an honest review of the signature gyukatsu and gyusteki sets ✨

Quick summary before you go

• The original flagship location specializing in gyukatsu, grilled rare and finished to your liking at a personal mini stove
• A refined, satisfying high-end Japanese meat set for under ₩20,000
• A perfect combo — crispy-outside, juicy-inside gyukatsu plus the clean, juicy gyusteki set
• Located basement level 1 of the Royal Building at Gwanghwamun Station Exit 1, with Naver reservations for a comfortable visit

Where is Hurato Sikdang Gyeongbokgung Main Branch, and what is it like inside?

Hurato Sikdang Gyeongbokgung Main Branch sits right by Gwanghwamun Station Exit 1 (Line 5), basement level 1, Unit 63 of the Royal Building arcade. Come out Exit 1, head down into the basement of the Royal Building arcade right in front of you, and you'll spot the clean Hurato Sikdang sign right away.

This was the original Gyeongbokgung branch! There are tons of Hurato Sikdang locations everywhere now.

The interior is done in warm wood tones with soft lighting, giving it a calm, cozy atmosphere. Every table has its own personal mini grill set up — perfect for a couple's date, a coworker lunch, or a gathering!

If you're coming as a larger group, I'd recommend reserving ahead! You can book in advance through Naver ✅

Hurato Sikdang menu and prices

Hurato Sikdang Gyeongbokgung Main Branch centers its menu on gyukatsu and steak, alongside a variety of Japanese dishes. You order everything from your phone!

Alongside the signature gyukatsu and gyusteki sets, there's a solid lineup including a sweet-savory gyusteki rice bowl, woo-samgyeop (thin beef belly) rice bowl, crispy shrimp katsu-don, and fluffy Japanese-style omurice!

The rice bowls and katsu-don dishes are priced in the low-to-mid ₩10,000s, making the whole menu quite affordable in the ₩10,000–20,000 range — great for a refined, satisfying Japanese-food date.

Honest review of the gyukatsu set and gyusteki set

🍽️ Today's order — Gyukatsu set (₩19,500), Gyusteki set (₩19,500)

We ordered Hurato Sikdang's two best-known signature dishes — the 'gyukatsu set' and the 'gyusteki set' — and shared them! A really tidy, generous spread arrived..✨

A personal mini stove set up for each of us! 🔥

Gyukatsu set (19,500 won)

Fresh beef coated in a thin layer of breading and fried just enough to crisp the outside, leaving the inside rare!

Look at that gorgeous marbling on the cross-section..✨ Once you place the meat on the gently heated mini stove, it sizzles and a savory aroma rises up.

Grill it lightly on both sides to your taste, dip it in tangy wasabi, chili sauce, or the special soy sauce, and the crispy outside melts into a soft, juicy center in your mouth..🥹

Gyusteki set (19,500 won)

A yakiniku-style grilled beef set, cooked rare and juicy on the outside only!

Lightly grilled on the stove and taken with one bite, this has no breading — just clean, mellow beef flavor with its own juices and a savory richness spreading through your mouth.

Topped with a bit of salty salt or wasabi over rice, it's an absolute rice thief — so satisfying 💗

What happens when the grill plate burns or cools down?

If the grill plate burns or cools while you're cooking, just tell a staff member and they'll kindly swap in a fresh grill plate and solid fuel! Cabbage is provided in between to cleanse your palate ✨

Final verdict: is Hurato Sikdang a good Japanese date spot in Gwanghwamun?

Hurato Sikdang Gyeongbokgung Main Branch delivered on every front — the fun of grilling your own meat at a personal mini stove, the crispy-outside, juicy-inside gyukatsu, the refined juicy gyusteki set, and reasonable prices in the high ₩10,000s. It's a top Japanese restaurant near Gwanghwamun!

If you're looking for an atmospheric Japanese-food date course near Gwanghwamun Station or Gyeongbokgung, or want to try proper crispy-outside, juicy-inside gyukatsu, I'd highly recommend Hurato Sikdang Gyeongbokgung Main Branch ✨ End of this satisfying Gwanghwamun food diary!