Solo tonkatsu lunch after bowling in Yeonnam-dong: Katsu Monster

Solo tonkatsu after bowling in Yeonnam-dong: Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch (카츠몬스터 연남본점)

This morning I went bowling with my brother. He headed off to work and I was left on my own, and suddenly I really wanted Japanese food. Maybe it was the exercise, but I didn't want anything light. I wanted a proper, filling meal, haha.

While looking for a place to eat alone in Yeonnam-dong, I found Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, which seemed to have a wide range of tonkatsu. It looked easy for a solo meal and good for anyone searching for Japanese food in Yeonnam-dong, so here it is. :)

Katsu Monster Yeonnam location and opening hours

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch is at 42-6 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Unit 101, 1F, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Hours are Mon, Tue and Fri 10:30–23:00, Wed and Thu 10:30–21:00, and Sat and Sun 09:30–23:00. Last order is 30 minutes before closing.

Is Katsu Monster Yeonnam good for eating alone?

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch has dedicated solo seats, so going alone is comfortable. The menu is displayed at the entrance, so I could look it over before going in.

Inside, the place felt clean and tidy.

There were solo seats and regular tables, and I sat at a table.

With separate solo seats, I figured you could eat alone here without feeling awkward at all.

The walls have menu descriptions and photos, so even as a first-timer I found it easy to order.

Table sauces: katsu sauce mixed with wasabi

The tables at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch had a good variety of sauces.

I like mixing wasabi into katsu sauce. The kick of the wasabi cuts the richness just right, haha. With several sauces on the table, dipping each piece in something different seemed like fun too.

Katsu Monster Yeonnam menu and prices

Katsu at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch runs from ₩14,000 for loin katsu to ₩21,000 for triple katsu, and there are meals like curry, udon and soba too.

There were more choices than I expected, from basic katsu to dishes that let you try several cuts at once, so I spent a long time deciding.

• Loin katsu — ₩14,000
• Fillet katsu — ₩16,000
• Premium loin katsu — ₩16,000
• Cheese katsu — ₩17,000
• Assorted katsu — ₩18,000
• Mix katsu A — ₩19,000
• Mix katsu B — ₩19,000
• Triple katsu — ₩21,000
• 1-person set (1 katsu + 1 noodle) — ₩22,000
• 2-person set (2 katsu + 1 noodle) — ₩35,000
• Chicken curry udon — ₩12,000
• Katsu curry rice bowl or udon — ₩16,000
• Kimchi katsu nabe (hot pot) — ₩16,000
• Cold soba — ₩10,000
• Bite-size curry — ₩4,000
• Chicken karaage (3 pcs) — ₩5,500
• Menchi katsu (2 pcs) — ₩8,000
• Bonito udon — ₩10,000

Besides katsu, there are things like curry and udon, so it looks easy to pick whatever suits your taste.

How is the triple katsu? Loin, fillet and cheese on one plate

The triple katsu (₩21,000) at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch puts three kinds of katsu on one plate: loin, fillet and cheese. With so many options I got stuck deciding, then figured it was perfect for a solo meal and ordered it.

The crispy fried katsu looked really appetizing from the first glance.

Eat the cheese katsu first, while it's hot

Cheese katsu has to be eaten while hot, so I ate it first. Seeing the cheese stretch, I want it again even now while writing this post, haha. I guess this is why people order cheese katsu. The cheese hardens quickly as it cools, so I recommend eating it right when it arrives.

My favorite: the juicy pork loin katsu

The loin and fillet katsu were good too, but the loin katsu was especially my taste. It was juicy and practically melted in my mouth, so I kept reaching for more.

Since I was eating alone, I even filmed a video like a mukbang YouTuber, and it was more fun than I expected, haha.

A filling solo tonkatsu lunch in Yeonnam-dong

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch was a place where eating a Japanese meal alone felt easy. Between the tasty katsu and recording it all on video, it turned into a better day than I expected.

For people looking for a place to eat lunch alone, or who want to taste a few kinds of katsu in small amounts, the triple katsu seems especially good.

Next time I'd like to try the kimchi katsu nabe I missed this time. If you're looking for good Japanese food in Yeonnam-dong or a place to eat alone there, Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch is worth a look. Thank you for a delicious meal today! :)