Friday solo gyukatsu and small draft beer at Seoul Station: Ichigyu

Today I'm bringing you a review of a spot near Seoul Station that gave me the perfect after-work healing session: Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch. You know that feeling at the end of a long day when all you want is good meat and a cold beer? This place let me enjoy a neat, satisfying meal solo without any awkwardness — I was really happy with it!

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch: address, hours and the Friday evening wait

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a gyukatsu specialty restaurant in the underground mall at Seoul Station, at 서울 중구 후암로 98 지하1층 B116호. I went on a Friday evening and got in with no wait, but by the time I left every table was full!

Is Ichigyu Seoul Station comfortable for eating alone?

The moment you step into Ichigyu Seoul Station, the warm, neat wood-tone interior puts you at ease.

Every table has its own neat little mini brazier, and the seats are spaced comfortably, so it's a genuinely perfect setup for enjoying a meal alone without worrying about anyone's eyes. Even coming straight from work by myself, it felt like a cozy space where I could fully enjoy my own time without any awkwardness.

What's on the menu at Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch

• Gyukatsu set: the signature dish — beef with bright red juices intact, coated in a crispy batter, grilled to your own taste on the individual brazier
• Steak rice bowl & curry: hearty Japanese meals loaded with fresh ingredients
• Alcohol & drinks: cold draft beer and highballs to blow away your after-work stress

Ordering the gyukatsu set and a small draft beer

Today's main event! I ordered the gorgeously colored gyukatsu set along with a small draft beer that looked refreshing just to look at.

They also give you shrimp tempura if you leave a receipt review first!!

There's a how-to-eat guide on the table too, so take a good look before you dig in!

The gyukatsu came out beautifully arranged on a tray — crispy and savory on the outside, with the bright red, moist meat still intact inside. It passed the visual test right away.

And here's this place's special point! It comes with packaged premium French Isigny butter (Isigny Ste Mère).

Cabbage and matching sauces came out too, to cut through the richness of the gyukatsu.

Four ways to eat gyukatsu at Ichigyu

1. Grill it in Isigny butter for a nutty finish 🧈

Melt a piece of Isigny butter on the heated individual brazier, then lay the gyukatsu on top. With a sizzle, the butter's savory flavor soaks right into the meat, doubling the flavor! It's genuinely fun grilling it fresh and warm to exactly the doneness you want.

2. Dip it lightly in salt for a clean bite 🧂

Try your first well-cooked bite dipped lightly in plain salt. The meat's rich juices and tender texture burst in your mouth!

3. Add a dab of sharp fresh wasabi 🌿

Right as it starts to feel a bit rich, put a dab of fresh wasabi on top of the meat — it gives a clean, sharp kick that lifts the flavor even more.

4. Finish with a cold draft beer 🍺

Take a bite of golden, well-grilled gyukatsu, then follow it with a sip of cold, soft-foamed beer... and honestly, the fatigue and stress from the whole day just melted away! Since the beer comes in a light, small size, it was perfect for a casual after-work drink.

Why Ichigyu works for a solo dinner at Seoul Station

The fun of grilling it exactly to my taste on the brazier, the rich flavor of the luxurious Isigny butter, and the variety of seasoning combos — nothing was missing from this satisfying meal. Above all, being able to relax and grill meat by myself without worrying about anyone's eyes, with a beer on the side, makes me want to strongly recommend this as a solo-dining spot near Seoul Station. Whether it's a treat for yourself after work or you're just looking for a proper Japanese gyukatsu place near Seoul Station, definitely stop by.