Yeonnam-dong hanu sukiyaki restaurant: lunch set for 2 with gyudon, Io

I was hunting for a Korean restaurant in Yeonnam-dong with a nice atmosphere that serves hanu (Korean beef) sukiyaki, and ended up at Io Hanu Gui Sukiyaki Yeonnam (이오 한우구이 스키야키 연남). The clean interior suits Yeonnam-dong's artsy vibe, and you get sukiyaki made with top-grade 1++ hanu, so it worked well for a date or a family meal too.

Where is Io Hanu Gui Sukiyaki Yeonnam, and what are the hours?

Io is at 93 Yeonnam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 1st floor, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Gajwa Station. You can also walk there from Hongik Univ. Station.

• Weekdays 11:30–22:00 (break time 15:00–17:00)
• Sat–Sun 11:30–22:00 (no break time)
• Closed every Tuesday
• Reservations available
• Group seating and high chairs for children
• Parking: use the nearby Yeonnam-dong public parking lot

Exterior and atmosphere of Io in Yeonnam-dong

The Yeonnam branch has a white-toned exterior that stands out even as you walk past. The sign is simple and fits the Yeonnam-dong feel, and the whole place came across as stylish and upscale. I thought it would be a really nice spot for a date.

Big windows and generously spaced tables

Step inside and the first thing you notice is the large panoramic window. The light was lovely and warm during the day, and the tables are spaced widely, so eating was comfortable.

Potted plants and small decor pieces here and there make it feel tidy yet cozy. On one side there's a refrigerated showcase holding fresh vegetables and ingredients, so you can see they care about how they handle their produce!

Menu at Io Hanu Gui Sukiyaki Yeonnam

Io sells grilled dishes, sukiyaki and shabu-shabu made with top-grade 1++ hanu. On weekday lunchtimes there's a lunch set, so you can enjoy it at a more reasonable price!

They also have a range of drinks like wine, whisky and sake, so it looked like a good place for dinner with a drink too.

Hanu sukiyaki lunch set for 2 + gyudon rice bowl (₩35,000)

What I ordered at Io was the hanu sukiyaki lunch set for 2, and I chose a gyudon (beef rice bowl) to finish. Besides the sukiyaki you can also pick udon noodles, so you can tailor it to your taste. If the meat isn't enough, you can order more, so it's easy to eat your fill.

An induction burner is set up on the table by default.

They give you eggs for dipping too!

What goes into the sukiyaki

Io's hanu sukiyaki comes generously loaded with napa cabbage, bok choy, shiitake, enoki and oyster mushrooms, konjac noodles, fish cake, naruto-maki (swirled fish cake) and more, and each person also gets a fresh raw egg.

Staff help with the broth and the first cooking

At Io a staff member adjusts the broth for you and helps with the first round of cooking, which made the meal much easier. The broth combines soy sauce and kelp stock, so it has deep savory flavor without being too salty and was easy to keep eating. I also liked that you can add more broth to adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Early on, staff came by now and then to check how the meat was cooking and how to eat it.

How did the 1++ hanu sukiyaki taste?

I dipped a well-cooked piece of hanu lightly in raw egg, and the way it melted softly in my mouth was really impressive. The richness of the egg brought out the beef's flavor even more.

The vegetables soaked up the broth and turned sweet, and the mushroom aroma was strong, so the overall balance was really good. Be sure to let the vegetables simmer long enough!!

Finishing with gyudon soaked in hanu broth

To finish the sukiyaki meal I made gyudon, and the rice soaked up the rich hanu broth where the vegetables had simmered, so I could enjoy it to the very last bite. It was a filling meal that never felt heavy.

Overall verdict on Io Hanu Gui Sukiyaki Yeonnam

Io Hanu Gui Sukiyaki Yeonnam was a Yeonnam-dong restaurant that satisfied on atmosphere, food and service. I got top-grade hanu at a reasonable price, and since the staff help with the cooking, even first-time sukiyaki eaters should feel at ease.

If you're looking for a date spot in Yeonnam-dong or a good place to eat with your parents, I'm happy to recommend it. It's great for special days, and the weekday lunch was very satisfying too.