Wabi Sabi

Sobre el lugar

Popular Japanese lunch spot and evening izakaya near Centerfield in Yeoksam, known for crispy tonkatsu, cold soba, and mozzarella-stuffed cheese roll katsu.

Tucked behind Centerfield in Gangnam’s Yeoksam corporate corridor, Wabi Sabi operates a high-tempo lunch rush that draws steady lines of local office workers. While the evening transforms the polished interior into an izakaya serving sashimi, sushi, and draft beer, daytime is all about Japanese comfort staples executed with crisp precision. Due to the high foot traffic, orders and payments are often taken right at the door while queuing, allowing food to land on tables almost immediately after seating. The dining room balances larger group tables with smaller setups suited for solo diners, including seats along windows that offer open street views. The kitchen’s hallmark is tonkatsu fried in light, delicate batter that shatters crisply on the first bite without overwhelming the meat beneath. A prime draw is the Cheese Roll Katsu, wrapping thin layers of pork around a dense core of melted mozzarella that stretches effortlessly. For broad variety, the Modum (Assorted) Katsu Set provides an expansive spread featuring juicy hire (pork tenderloin), crisp ebi (shrimp), and fish katsu alongside shredded cabbage, rice, kimchi, and tartare sauce. Alternative pairings match different seasons and appetites. The cold soba sets feature bowls filled with chilled, ice-flecked broth paired with either hire, roast (pork loin), or shrimp katsu. Those seeking a richer plate often opt for the Curry Katsu, served over rice with potatoes and carrots cut as large as gnocchi, stewed until they melt instantly on the tongue. Tabletop pink salt and house tonkatsu sauce let diners alternate seasonings, while a clean, savory miso soup cuts through each bite. The menu further extends into soothing kake udon capped with fried shrimp, and a sweet-savory beef gyudon over rice. Fast, structured, and generous, it remains a reliable pillar of the Teheran-ro lunch circuit.