Seomyeon tonkatsu solo meal with a katsu sando to go: Katsu Gimseondo

Today's post is about a tonkatsu place I've genuinely, truly loved since my Jeonpo days! It used to be close to my house, but once they relocated it got a bit further away, so I hadn't been able to go for a while — until I had some business nearby and ran straight over without hesitation haha.

Katsu Gimseondo / Weekdays 11:30–21:00 (closed Tuesdays) / Break time 15:00–17:00 / Wi-Fi, takeout, group seating, easy payment

Katsu Gimseondo moved from Jeonpo to Seomyeon: what the new space is like

Let me write an honest, thorough revisit review of Katsu Gimseondo, the Seomyeon tonkatsu spot that tasted just like before — no, even better, and it genuinely moved me. It's been quite a while since they relocated, but visiting again after so long, the space looked so much more polished and pretty!

The reason I loved this place most since the Jeonpo days was that unmatched thickness and crunch, plus the savory richness of the meat juices haha. There are plenty of other famous katsu places and great restaurants out there, but only Katsu Gimseondo has that distinctive delicious flavor, and I'd always missed it haha.

Is eating alone at Katsu Gimseondo comfortable?

Even going alone, the atmosphere at Katsu Gimseondo felt so, so comfortable. Even after a long absence, the flavor was still the same, and I was so happy about that! Visiting after a while, the place had clearly gotten a lot more popular — it was truly, truly packed with customers! Interestingly there were a lot of male customers, along with couples on dates and families too!

The owner didn't make me feel awkward at all for coming alone — if anything, I felt extra cared for and looked after, which touched me and let me eat comfortably.

Truly a Seomyeon tonkatsu spot that gets full marks even for service!

What comes in the Gimseondo set: loin, tenderloin, fried shrimp and a soft-boiled fried egg

Once I got a seat, after so long I ordered generously: the Gimseondo set, a katsu sando, and even a zero-calorie cola!

The Gimseondo set felt like a perfect gift box with everything included — loin, tenderloin, fried shrimp, and a soft-boiled fried egg haha.

I especially love soft tenderloin, and this one was so moist and tender it just melted in my mouth!

As for the loin, no need to say more — the savory flavor properly exploded haha.

The crispy fried shrimp dipped in the special sauce was the best, and popping the soft-boiled fried egg over the rice and mixing it all up felt exactly like eating a savory tendon (tempura rice bowl) — amazing!

The accompanying broth and sides were so satisfying I inhaled them! While enjoying the fried food, taking a sip of the ice-filled zero-calorie cola completely cut through the richness and reset my palate!

The katsu sando at Katsu Gimseondo, and why one went home in a takeout box

It really lets you start fresh from the beginning haha. And then at the end the katsu sando arrived and I tried it — actually, this was the very first time in my life I'd ever eaten a katsu sando!

But wow, it was so delicious I couldn't help but exclaim out loud! The thick katsu tucked between the bread was so crispy, and the sweetness of the bread and sauce together just wrapped around my mouth perfectly! It's now a must-add side every single time I come haha. It was so good I packed one to take home, and when I gave it to my husband, he raved about how thick and delicious it was too!

Katsu Gimseondo revisit: the verdict

• Still amazing flavor — thick, crispy, savory katsu, unchanged as ever!
• Satisfying set composition — tenderloin, loin, shrimp, and soft-boiled egg all included!
• Comfortable solo dining space — no awkwardness, plenty of kindness!
• Katsu sando highly recommended — sweet and crispy enough to win over my husband!

It was my trusted go-to since the Jeonpo days, and even after relocating, Katsu Gimseondo still moved me with a visit that felt truly like the real deal — the Seomyeon tonkatsu restaurant to beat. If you want to properly enjoy delicious tonkatsu and katsu sando, don't hesitate — I highly recommend visiting haha.