Seoul Station Japanese restaurant for weekend gyukatsu: Ichigyu

Ichigyu is so well known for its gyukatsu (Japanese breaded beef cutlet) that it is always an easy choice! On a day when I was craving gyukatsu, I visited Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch.

Getting to Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch from Seoul Station Exit 10

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is about a one-minute walk from Exit 10, so it is incredibly easy to get to. Go into the LG Seoul Station Building; there is also an outdoor staircase, which takes you straight down to B1.

This is what Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch looks like from outside! As soon as I went down the outdoor stairs, the restaurant was right there. It is famous with Seoul Station office workers, so I bet the weekday lunch wait is no joke.

If there is a wait, you can make a Catchtable reservation in front of the restaurant. There is a helpful notice explaining Catchtable reservations too, so keep that in mind! Luckily, I arrived right when weekend break time ended and was able to walk in without waiting.

A quick look at the menu before heading in~

Spacious seating and a brazier fire they keep an eye on

The interior is not huge, but it does not feel cramped either. The tables are nicely spaced out, so it never feels stuffy.

The kitchen at Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is open to view, which made the meal feel even more reassuring. The staff were so kind, and they kept checking the brazier fire, so I could eat comfortably.

Each table has its own brazier. The best thing about gyukatsu is being able to cook every piece just how you like it~ It can be a hassle when the fire keeps going out, but before I even had time to notice, a staff member came over and relit it. The best, the best!

They also have a receipt-review event! You get shrimp tempura for each review, so do not miss out on joining in!

How to enjoy Ichigyu even more deliciously: thin-sliced mochi and grill-it-yourself cheese~ We received them as a service item to try! With the various events, you can enjoy gyukatsu even more deliciously and at better value.

A full sirloin Ichigyu gyukatsu spread

Ichigyu Gyukatsu (Sirloin)

Here is the menu at Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch. If you are ordering drinks too, a set menu is better value. We did not order drinks separately and chose the sirloin gyukatsu. Ichigyu is famous as a gyukatsu specialist, but it has lots of other options too, which is great. There are soba varieties, hamburger-steak omurice, steaky-don, curry, and more. There is also a grilled steak set meal, much like gyukatsu, so choose according to your own taste~

Ichigyu Gyukatsu is described as “gyukatsu with savory sirloin, paired with Ichigyu’s special sauce distinguished by rich garlic flavor and tanginess.” It looks mouthwatering even before a bite. The portion was generous, and the salad and soup that came with it were all delicious, making it a wonderfully filling meal! It is such a neat, well-presented spread that it would be great for a Seoul Station date too.

A photo of a piece of sirloin gyukatsu picked up with chopsticks. You can tell how fresh the meat is just from the photo. A look that simply cannot be bad..

The rice arrived heaped in a bowl with a rice paddle, and they said refills are available if you need them!

How to grill each piece with butter

And this butter! It adds to the gyukatsu’s flavor. Put the butter on the brazier first, then once it melts, grill the gyukatsu over it. The meat becomes even more savory and umami-rich, and the flavor really comes alive.

Now, let’s grill the meat one piece at a time!

Watching the gyukatsu brown piece by piece can make you feel as if you have popped over to Japan for a moment. That gorgeously colored gyukatsu.. Sizzle, sizzle~ Honestly, I forgot to add the butter and put it on only after grilling one piece. Oops;;

Let’s try a perfectly grilled piece. Crisp outside, moist inside, and gyukatsu that melts in your mouth!! The distinctive beef juices and savory richness come through intensely. Above all, the meat is truly tender, making an even stronger contrast with the crisp exterior—that is gyukatsu’s magic..! It is delicious dipped in the sauce provided, and a little wasabi cuts the richness beautifully for a clean, tasty bite. I liked it best lightly dipped in salt, which lets the natural flavor shine. Then, whenever it starts to feel a little rich, add wasabi right away. * Repeat endlessly and it just keeps disappearing into your mouth.

Overall, it was a satisfying meal where the meat’s tender texture and flavor really stood out! I loved being able to adjust the doneness to my taste and dip it in sauce. With its pleasant atmosphere and neatly presented meal, it would suit a Seoul Station date or gathering too. Since there are so many workplaces around Seoul Station, not many places are open on weekends, but Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is open then as well, so I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a Seoul Station restaurant on the weekend! More than anything, it is a gyukatsu spot that brings out the cutlet’s natural flavor so well, making it well worth a visit for gyukatsu lovers. Next time, I need to try the grilled steak set meal!