Yangjae Station tonkatsu, cold soba and San Miguel: Yangjae Katsu

I was out in Seoul with a friend for the first time in a while, and as evening rolled around we got hungry. That's exactly when tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and a glass of beer come to mind!

We went to Yangjae Katsu (양재카츠), which has a name as a tasty tonkatsu spot in Yangjae. I never knew katsu and cold soba (buckwheat noodles) would go so well together in summer. It's a place I'd come back to. My friend said it was delicious and that they'd stop by again whenever they're near Yangjae Katsu, haha.

What is Yangjae Katsu like inside?

I found Yangjae Katsu while wondering where to eat near Yangjae Station. The name alone tells you it's a tonkatsu specialist.

Inside, the space is bigger than I expected. Wooden furniture and a dark-toned interior feel modern yet comfortable, and sunlight comes in nicely by the windows, so it would be good for daytime visits too. There are plenty of tables, enough for groups, and the lighting isn't dim, so it's easy to eat in.

What caught my eye most was the open kitchen. Being able to watch the chefs cook somehow made me trust the place more. Each table has a kiosk, so ordering was convenient too.

How do Yangjae Katsu's tenderloin and loin katsu taste?

That day at Yangjae Katsu we ordered tenderloin katsu, loin katsu, cold soba, perilla oil soba and San Miguel beer.

Tenderloin katsu: pink inside and tender

My friend's tenderloin katsu was golden and fried outside, pink inside, and quite juicy.

I shared a bite, and it wasn't tough at all, just tender to chew. I immediately understood why so many people around me order tenderloin, haha.

Loin katsu: a good chew and crunch that lasts

The loin katsu I ordered had more chew than the tenderloin, and the breadcrumb coating was thick, so the crunch lasted quite a while after each bite. It was nicely savory too, good enough to dip in just salt without sauce. The cabbage salad, sauce and wasabi that came with it were neatly set out as well.

Honestly, I had no idea a glass of San Miguel beer would go this well with katsu!

Yangjae Katsu cold soba: hard to beat in summer

The cold soba at Yangjae Katsu comes topped with scallion, shredded seaweed and grated radish, with broth poured in until the noodles are just covered. I went for the tonkatsu, but the cold soba impressed me all over again.

I sipped the broth with a spoon and it was richer than I expected. This is exactly what you'd want on a hot day.

The noodles were thin and springy and slurped down easily, and mixing in a little wasabi at a time made it sharper and even more refreshing.

My friend's perilla oil soba (noodles tossed in perilla oil) was the ultimate in nutty richness too! Haha. Adding soba to a katsu set like this is definitely a combination worth considering!!

Yangjae Katsu at a glance

• Both the tenderloin and loin katsu had their own texture and flavor.
• The cold soba broth was rich and clean, a great summer side.
• The open kitchen and modern interior make the place feel trustworthy.

We stopped by Yangjae Katsu during a Seoul outing after a long time apart, and it made for a delicious dinner I felt good about. If you're deciding where to eat near Yangjae Station, I hope you'll drop by.