Seoul Station gyukatsu restaurant with no 6pm wait: Ichigyu

Where is Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch?

It's at B116, basement level 1, 98 Huam-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 101m from Exit 10 of Seoul Station. Hours are 11:00–21:30, break time is 15:00–17:00, and last order is at 14:00 and 20:30.

Underground parking and walking in at 6pm with no wait

There's a parking lot underground! But there's no parking fee support! I paid ₩5,000 for an hour! In Myeongdong, everywhere starts at ₩5,000 an hour no matter where you go... haha

I came around 6pm and there was no wait! But there were a lot of people inside! I feel like there would definitely be a wait at lunch... haha

Ordering two basic gyukatsu at 19,500 won each

It was so nice to be able to see the menu setup from outside while deciding!

I ordered the gyukatsu basic, ₩19,500 × 2. There was a review event where you get shrimp for free! I didn't bother participating since it was too much of a hassle.

Does Ichigyu feel like a gyukatsu shop in Japan?

Right when you walk in, this big piece of meat is hanging there and totally steals your attention... It looks like real meat but it's a prop! It really does look like real meat... Everyone who walks by asks, 'is that real?'

Doesn't this look exactly like a real Japanese gyukatsu restaurant?

Grilling gyukatsu with Izny butter and wasabi

The rice is totally Japanese-local style too... firm and chewy, a perfect match with gyukatsu!

I love Izny butter, and it's Izny butter!!!!! Since they use good butter from the start, my expectations were really high.

They melt the butter carefully so it doesn't burn! But apparently they don't use butter in Japan, so Korean gyukatsu must be different!

Cabbage kimchi? The setup consists of chili sauce, salt, Izny butter, cabbage, sauce, wasabi, and broth.

Not much oil came out, which I think is why they give you Izny butter! If Japan is all sizzling oily richness, Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch feels more like a clean, light flavor.

It wasn't quite the gyukatsu flavor I expected, but I really, really wanted beef. I was so happy just thinking about eating tons of beef.

I absolutely love this cabbage kimchi. I had it twice! It cuts through the richness completely.

Two people share one brazier!

The flame kept going out, but the staff stayed on standby and relit it right away! The AC blows really cold air, which keeps putting the brazier out!

Later on, since I couldn't be bothered, I just grilled a whole bunch at once!

I'm totally team wasabi! I even got a refill without hesitation. Personally, loading up on wasabi with the sauce combo is great, and the plain salt combo is also so good! Chili wasn't my thing, so I only tried it once haha

I came here after searching for good restaurants near Seoul Station, and I'm so satisfied 🥰. I normally love gyukatsu a lot. It's even better with a cold beer haha. Eating gyukatsu makes me feel like I've had a solid, filling meal.

It was a bit disappointing that there's no parking fee support, but well, you all know Myeongdong land prices, right?? Parking starts at ₩5,000 an hour wherever you go. I understand where the owner's coming from haha. If you want gyukatsu right now but going to Japan feels like too much of a hassle and too far, I recommend Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch. From the atmosphere to the taste, it's completely like being in Japan.