Samjeon Station katsu: fish katsu and homegrown basil salt, Pine Katsu

What kind of tonkatsu restaurant is Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch?

Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch is a tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant near Hagwon intersection by Samjeon Station, and I went because I heard it's popular with students. I was looking for a good tonkatsu place in Jamsil when someone told me about it. I like tonkatsu and try lots of places, and this time I kept hearing it was popular with students, so I got curious.

Getting there from Samjeon Station

Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch is a little way in from Hagwon intersection and you can walk there from Samjeon Station. It was easy to reach, and a comfortable place to visit at lunch or dinner.

There are lots of cram schools (hagwon) and apartment blocks out front, so after going myself I understood why families and students looking for a Jamsil tonkatsu spot left such good reviews.

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

The shop has bright lighting and wood-tone interiors, with generous spacing between its tables for 2 and 4. The first thing I noticed on walking in was how clean it was. The bright lights and wood tones made it feel relaxed, and the roomy tables made eating comfortable. It wouldn't feel awkward to come alone, and it looked fine for friends or family too.

Tank aging and basil grown in the shop

Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch says it ages its meat in a tank, and it grows its own basil in the shop. Looking over the menu at my seat, I got the feeling they put real effort into ingredients and aging. You can see explanations about the aging all around the shop.

Honestly, I don't know the details of the aging method, but seeing the tank made me trust it. And yes, they really do grow the basil right in the shop.

Does the cheese katsu stretch?

The cheese katsu at Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch had plump cheese, and when I bit in, it stretched long. After hearing it was a great Jamsil tonkatsu place, the cheese katsu was the dish I was looking forward to most.

In one bite, the crispy coating, tender meat and rich cheese came together naturally. The cheese didn't overpower the meat, so I could finish it without feeling it was too much. If you like cheese katsu, I think it's worth ordering at least once.

Is the fish katsu fishy?

The fish katsu at Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch was crispy outside and mild inside, with almost no fishy smell. The fish katsu we ordered alongside is memorable too. I don't usually eat fish katsu much, but I was curious about this one, so I ordered it.

It was fried crisp outside, and the light texture inside really came through. It was mild but had a subtle savoriness, so I kept reaching for more, which surprised me. It has a different charm from the pork katsu, so it was fun to alternate between them.

Is the curry udon worth ordering too?

The curry udon at Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch had a rich curry aroma without being harsh, and the noodles and sauce were spicy enough to go well with the katsu. I don't think this place is known as a Jamsil tonkatsu spot just for the cutlets. The curry udon served alongside was quite impressive too.

The curry aroma was strong but not harsh, and it blended well with the udon noodles. The noodles and sauce were spicy, so eating them with the tonkatsu made a nice combination. It's a good add-on when one dish feels like not enough.

Open kitchen and basil salt

Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch has an open kitchen where you can see the cooking area, and it serves basil salt made from the basil grown in the shop alongside the katsu. Being able to see where the food is cooked made me trust the hygiene and felt like confidence in the food. The tidy kitchen was impressive too, and the staff were careful with service even while busy.

With tonkatsu, the taste changes depending on the salt or sauce, and here you get basil salt made from homegrown basil. It felt a bit unfamiliar at first, but eaten with the meat, the fragrant aroma added something different. It was special compared with the tonkatsu I usually eat.

Side dish: kkakdugi

The kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) served as the side dish went well with the food. When you're eating rich, oily dishes, a side that resets your palate matters, and this was a good one to eat along the way.

Is Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch worth going back to?

Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch cares about the space and service as well as the food, so I wanted to visit again. On the way out after eating, I looked around the shop once more, and maybe that's why I could stay comfortably the whole meal.

If you're looking for a good Jamsil tonkatsu place, Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch is worth a visit. My impression was that it isn't a place that only stresses a crispy coating, but one that cares about the texture and flavor of the meat itself.

I got to enjoy the richness of the cheese katsu, the mildness of the premium fish katsu and the spiciness of the curry udon. If you're looking for a Jamsil tonkatsu place, I recommend dropping by for a meal. Next time I'd like to go back and try the tenderloin or loin dishes!