Jeonpo tonkatsu tasted sauce-free before salt and wasabi: Hets, Busan

I was trying to decide where to grab lunch in Jeonpo, and that day I really wanted tonkatsu, so I headed to Hets Jeonpo Branch.

There are so many good restaurants around Jeonpo Station that picking a lunch spot is oddly stressful. That day I wasn't in the mood for a crispy tonkatsu — I wanted one where the meat itself was soft and juicy. Looking around, a katsu made with Jeju black pork caught my eye, so I went to the Jeonpo branch during lunchtime.

Where is Hets Jeonpo Branch, and what are the hours?

Hets Jeonpo Branch is on the 2nd floor of Gyeongmu Building at 225 Jeonpo-daero, Busanjin-gu. The current posted hours are 11:10–20:30, with a break time from 15:30 to 17:00.

Menu and prices at Hets, a tonkatsu spot near Jeonpo Station

Once I sat down, I checked the menu first. What I ordered that day was the Jeju black pork loin katsu at ₩14,000 and the Jeju black pork assorted katsu at ₩18,000

— two dishes. The menu described the Jeju black pork loin katsu, made from the loin cut, as having a chewy texture, savory depth, and a hint of char. The assorted katsu comes with the loin katsu plus one piece of tenderloin, so you get to try two cuts at once. On the current menu, the Jeju black pork loin katsu is still ₩14,000 and the Jeju black pork assorted katsu is ₩18,000

On a first visit, I always debate whether to just order one dish, but that day I wanted to compare the loin and the tenderloin side by side, so I added the assorted katsu too.

Jeju black pork loin katsu: softer than expected

After a short wait, the tonkatsu arrived, plated neatly and looking great.

When I cut into a piece, the meat was fairly thick, and above all, the inside looked juicy.

When people think of tonkatsu, they usually picture a crispy coating first, but with the Jeju black pork loin katsu at Hets, it was the soft texture of the meat, more than the crunch of the batter, that stuck with me. In the first bite, the meat wasn't tough at all — it was juicy, and the flavor came through more with each chew. There was also just the right amount of fat typical of loin katsu, so it never felt dry.

It's tasty dipped in sauce too, but trying it sauce-free first wasn't bad either. Tasting the meat's own flavor first, then adding salt or wasabi, gave a completely different impression.

Two textures in the Jeju black pork assorted katsu

Next up was the Jeju black pork assorted katsu. I personally love this kind of set because you get to eat loin katsu and tenderloin (hire) katsu together. Loin has that savory, chewy bite, while tenderloin, being a leaner cut, feels much softer. Trying them side by side, the difference between the two cuts was clear.

What I liked most that day was that the meat was soft and juicy all the way through. With tonkatsu, you sometimes get a crispy outside but a slightly dry inside — Hets's tonkatsu had much less of that. So even though it was a full lunch, I didn't feel weighed down; it felt satisfying and filling in a good way.

How to eat the tonkatsu at Hets: sauce-free, salt, then wasabi

The menu at Hets also had tips on how to best enjoy the tonkatsu. It suggested trying it sauce-free first, then adding wasabi and salt, or using truffle oil depending on preference.

I tried several methods, one piece at a time, and personally I liked eating it plain the best. The tonkatsu itself was juicy and soft enough that it tasted great without adding much else. And with rice, soup, and side dishes served alongside, it was more than enough for a full lunch.

Worth it when you crave tonkatsu in Jeonpo, Busan?

Jeonpo has plenty of cafés and restaurants, but choosing what to eat for lunch is never that easy. That day I wanted a proper tonkatsu, and both the Jeju black pork loin katsu and the assorted katsu were satisfying. I especially like tonkatsu that's soft and juicy, so the texture of the meat here really worked for me.

If you're on your first visit and can't decide, the Jeju black pork assorted katsu, which lets you try both loin and tenderloin, is a good choice. If you prefer the savory, chewy bite of loin, the Jeju black pork loin katsu on its own is a solid pick too.

If you're looking for a lunch spot near Jeonpo Station, or hunting for a good tonkatsu restaurant in Jeonpo, this place is worth a visit. I went for lunch this time, but I'm curious about the other katsu options, so I'd like to come back again. It was a lunch spent enjoying soft, juicy tonkatsu made with Jeju black pork.