Solo tonkatsu in Irwon-dong, skipping the Kirin draft: Sioldon

What is Sioldon Irwon Branch?

Sioldon Irwon Branch is the tonkatsu place the writer heads to whenever they want tonkatsu in Irwon-dong, and they're a regular. They love tenderloin katsu so much that their routine is to eat well at Sioldon, grab a coffee nearby, and stroll around the neighborhood. Samsung Seoul Hospital is close, and the writer says Irwon-dong is full of hidden gems, haha.

• Address: 12 Irwon-ro 9-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• 570m from Exit 4 of Daecheong Station
• Daily 11:00 - 20:30
• Break time 14:30 - 17:00
• Last order 20:00
• Delivery, takeout, parking, waiting area, group seating available

Parking and atmosphere at Sioldon Irwon Branch

You can park right in front of Sioldon Irwon Branch, so it's easy to come by car. Lots of people come back to Sioldon in Irwon-dong, and parking right out front is a big plus. Thumbs up!

Every time I visit, I notice the staff at Sioldon Irwon Branch are super friendly and the place is really, really clean. At lunchtime it's packed with hospital staff, caregivers, families and more, so I came a little off-peak.

Is Sioldon good for solo tonkatsu in Irwon-dong?

Lots of people eat solo at Sioldon Irwon Branch, so there are solo tables too. The layout makes it easy to sit down by yourself without feeling awkward.

What I ordered at Sioldon Irwon Branch

I ordered one premium sirloin katsu (a special cut) and one tenderloin katsu. These two are so, so, so good!!!!!! I love Sioldon and have tried everything except the kimchi katsu nabe (hot pot), but these two are my obsession.

You can't have tonkatsu without draft beer. But... I'd come by car, so I passed. Such a pity,, and it's Kirin, too.

How is Sioldon's 72-hour aged premium sirloin katsu made, and how does it taste?

Sioldon's premium sirloin katsu is a special-cut dish with deep flavor, made from domestic Hanhon pork that the restaurant cross-ages for 72 hours and cures in nuruk (fermented grain) salt, as they describe it. It's limited quantity, so hurry before it sells out!

The pork that's aging! You can taste this kind of care. It's springy yet tender, right?

Here it comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The premium sirloin katsu is seriously insane. The balance of fat and meat,, hahaha. One bite and the nutty richness bursts out.

This is the kicker!!!!!!!!!! Crispy, tender, nutty, packed with umami, and perfectly seasoned. Is there anything it can't do?

Best order to eat Sioldon tonkatsu: plain, pink salt, wasabi, sauce

The writer's method for Sioldon's tonkatsu is to enjoy it plain first, then with Himalayan pink salt, then wasabi, then sauce. Honestly, all three ways are delicious.

What is Sioldon's tenderloin katsu like?

Next up, my beloved tenderloin katsu! This is what juiciness looks like!

The reason I love Sioldon's tenderloin katsu is exactly this look, with the juices rising up and that moist, watery sheen!!!!!!!! You can tell the texture without even tasting it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once you fall for it, you keep ordering it.

The rice is fluffy too!

My favorite cabbage salad! Tonkatsu absolutely can't go without it! Pour on plenty of sauce and enjoy!

Wait,, this isn't slime, is it? So squishy ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I'm so excited. A bite with no salt, to eat it plain!

A bite with sauce too,, every bite is so dense you could leave teeth marks. It's not crumbly-soft but feels like it's holding onto all the juices? hahaha

Is Sioldon Irwon Branch worth a return visit?

If you're eating the mild tenderloin katsu and want some nutty richness, take a bite of the premium sirloin katsu with wasabi! Another successful day at Sioldon! There's a reason it's always loved by Samsung Seoul Hospital folks and Irwon-dong residents. The meat quality is great, and with the care that goes into aging, it's delicious every single day~! I'll be back for another solo meal in a few days!