Experience the Essence of Sapporo-style Jingisukan at Huam-dong Lamb Chop Restaurant, Yasunoya Main Branch

'Yasunoya', a Sapporo-style Lamb Chop Restaurant Frequently Seen on Instagram

Hello! I'm Mina, a 27-year-old office worker. I finally visited 'Yasunoya', a Sapporo-style lamb chop specialty restaurant that I've been seeing a lot on Instagram lately. To be honest, I used to avoid lamb due to its distinctive smell, but a friend strongly recommended 'Yasunoya', saying it has no gamey smell, making it enjoyable even for first-timers. So, out of curiosity, I decided to visit.

On a chilly autumn day when I was craving warm meat, I headed to the Yasunoya main branch with a friend after work. This restaurant, which was also featured in Sung Si-kyung's 'Meokultende', had me excited to see if its reputation was true!

Finding a Hidden Gem in the Alleys of Huam-dong

The Yasunoya main branch is located on the first floor at 81 Huam-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. It's easy to find as it's near Yongsan Middle and High School. I understood why Huam-dong is called a food paradise these days. Even though it was a weekend and we arrived just before the 5 PM opening, there was already a line at the door.

The business hours are from 17:00 to 22:00 daily (last order at 20:30), and reservations can be made through Catch Table, but it's quite popular, so booking isn't easy. Luckily, we managed to get a seat after a 30-minute wait.

A Unique Interior with a Japanese Izakaya Vibe

As soon as we entered, the atmosphere of a Japanese izakaya was palpable. What was particularly impressive was the 'ㄷ'-shaped bar seating arrangement. You can comfortably enjoy your meal as the staff in the center grill the meat for you.

There's a wooden locker at the entrance to store clothes and belongings, which would be especially useful in winter when wearing thick coats. The table setting was sophisticated, with chopsticks placed on peanuts and wasabi and salt beautifully arranged.

Sapporo-style Jingisukan Lamb Chops and Special Menu Items

The menu included a variety of lamb dishes such as the signature fresh lamb chops (33,000 won), fresh lamb chops (30,000 won), fresh lamb loin (30,000 won), and special cuts like rib fingers and chuck flap tail (29,000 won). There were also side dishes like Sapporo soup curry (25,000 won), homemade lamb sausage (23,000 won), and grilled pollack roe (24,000 won).

When we asked the staff for recommendations, they suggested the 'signature fresh lamb chops', 'special cuts', and 'Sapporo soup curry'. After some deliberation, we ordered the signature fresh lamb chops, the chuck flap tail from the special cuts, garlic rice (3,000 won), and Sapporo soup curry.

A Special Service of Grilled Meat by the Staff and the Amazing Taste of Lamb Chops

The unique aspect of Yasunoya is that the meat is grilled for you! We just sat comfortably and chatted while the staff grilled the meat perfectly and served it on our plates. Each team had a dedicated staff member grilling for them, so the service was excellent.

The first dish, the special cut chuck flap tail, had a chewy texture that was delightful. There was almost no gamey smell typical of lamb, and the savory taste was more pronounced. The staff recommended pairing it with wasabi and salt, which turned out to be a fantastic combination! Especially with a hint of wasabi, the aromatic flavor was enhanced, making it truly delicious.

The Secret Behind the Special Taste of Signature Fresh Lamb Chops

Finally, the long-awaited signature fresh lamb chops arrived! The staff explained that this dish uses the highest quality part of the lamb, the French rack, and undergoes a special marination process with olive oil infused with herbs and vegetables for five hours.

From the first bite... wow, this is what lamb chops should taste like. The tender texture, savory flavor, and umami from the marinade made it truly exceptional. My friend also kept exclaiming that they could eat lamb often if it tasted like this. The lack of the typical lamb smell makes it accessible even for first-timers.

Special Side Dishes, Sapporo Soup Curry, and Garlic Rice

While enjoying the lamb chops, the Sapporo soup curry also arrived. Soup curry is a special curry from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, known for its richer taste and deeper flavor compared to regular curry. At first, I wondered if lamb chops and curry would go well together, but to my surprise, dipping the meat in the curry offered a whole new taste.

The garlic rice, with its subtle garlic aroma, paired excellently with the soup curry. When the lamb chops started to feel a bit heavy, a spoonful of soup curry and garlic rice refreshed the palate. I think we made excellent choices with the side dishes!

Finishing Touches with Stir-fried Bean Sprouts and Vanilla Ice Cream

After finishing the meat, we received a surprise service! They stir-fried bean sprouts on the grill used for the meat. The bean sprouts, infused with the lamb's oil and aroma, had a crispy texture and were a real delicacy. Eating this made me understand why people fall in love with Yasunoya.

And the dessert that concluded the meal was vanilla ice cream. It had a touch of salt, and this sweet-salty combination felt like it cleansed the palate of any greasiness. It was the perfect dessert after a lamb meal.

Value for Money and Revisit Intentions: A Price Range Suitable for Special Occasions

The meal cost around 90,000 won in total, with the signature fresh lamb chops at 33,000 won, special cut chuck flap tail at 29,000 won, Sapporo soup curry at 25,000 won, and garlic rice at 3,000 won. It was a bit much for two people, but we were quite full.

Honestly, it's a bit more expensive than a regular dining out price, but considering the quality of the lamb, the service of grilling by the staff, and the special taste, I think it's a worthwhile price. It's a great price range for occasional visits as a reward on payday!

Conclusion: A Taste Even Non-Lamb Lovers Will Fall For, Yasunoya Main Branch

Initially, I was worried about the typical lamb smell, but Yasunoya's lamb chops were so clean and delicious that such worries were unnecessary. Especially the signature fresh lamb chops were so good that I could call them a life-changing meat experience.

With the service of grilling by the staff, unique interior, and most importantly, the delicious lamb chops, it was a restaurant I'd love to visit again. I highly recommend it to both lamb lovers and those trying lamb for the first time!

Next time I visit, I definitely want to try other special cuts. I heard the rib fingers are also delicious, so I'll have to order that next time. And while I had soju this time, I'd like to pair it with Sapporo draft beer next time!