Katsu sauce on the side in Gwanpyeong-dong, Daejeon: Choi Dining

I'd heard there was a Japanese restaurant getting buzz in Gwanpyeong-dong these days, so I got curious and went to check it out! It's Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong, known for its Japanese fusion menu, so I visited with equal parts anticipation and excitement 😊 Here's my totally satisfying meal review!

Where is Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong, and what are the hours and parking?

Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong is located at 20 Gwandeul 4-gil, 1F, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, and is open 11:00–21:00 (break time 15:00–17:00, last order 14:15 and 20:15). Parking includes 3 free spaces in front of the store plus space beside the building, and Naver Reservation is available.

• 🏠 Name: Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong
• 📍 Address: 20 Gwandeul 4-gil, 1F, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
• ⏰ Hours: 11:00–21:00 (break time 15:00–17:00, last order 14:15, 20:15)
• 🚗 Parking: 3 free spaces in front of the store + space beside the building! If full, park at Gwanpyeong-dong 1175 public parking lot and head toward Daecheong Eolkeun Ojingeojip — you'll see the restaurant
• 📅 Reservation: Naver Reservation available ✅

💡 Location tip: You can find it easily by heading toward the building behind Myeongpum Hanwoone and Auto Oasis, or behind Sigolgil, Norang Mulgogi, and Jongno Maekga. It's about a 10-minute walk from the Hyundai Outlet, so it's also a good stop while out and about! 👍

At the entrance there were signboards with various menu items and events! I liked that you can try several different menu items instead of just one.

There was no wait when I visited, but even if there is one, you can look over the menu outside while you wait. I checked the menu board before going in and got my mouth watering haha.

Inside Choi Dining: seating and kid-friendly extras

Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong is mostly 4-seat tables with wide spacing between them, so it's comfortable for families with kids as well as couples. Kids' chairs and disposable aprons are also provided.

🏠 Atmosphere & interior. The moment I stepped inside, what struck me was the cute, clean interior! There were several 4-seat tables, making it perfect for family groups or a couple's date course. The tables were spaced generously too, so it never felt cramped and stayed pleasant.

In one corner, some cute little props caught my eye. Amenities like kids' chairs and disposable aprons were well prepared, so families with young children should feel comfortable visiting too 👶

Another plus: the menu ranges from rice dishes to pasta, futomaki, and sides, so there's plenty to choose from based on taste. The set menu also looked substantial, so I want to try a set next time.

How do the aged salmon futomaki and bone-in pork katsu taste?

On this visit, we ordered two dishes at Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong: aged salmon futomaki and Choi's bone-in pork katsu. My companion isn't a fan of noodle dishes, so we kept it simple with these two.

🍣 Aged salmon futomaki with truffle mayo and wasabi

The visual alone set it apart! It looked so delicious... Packed with salmon and fresh vegetables, I loved the healthy ingredient makeup. For someone like me watching what I eat these days, this felt like the perfect choice 😆

The portion was really large and generous — enough to fill you up on this alone! And the kicker here is the truffle mayo sauce. Dip it in, add a little wasabi on top, and... that combo is insane 🔥 I think it's that combination that kept me reaching for more.

🍖 Choi's bone-in pork katsu: sauce poured over or served on the side

For the bone-in pork katsu, you can choose to have the sauce poured on or served separately, so we had it on the side. This was my first time trying bone-in katsu, and the sight of the bone still attached was novel and fun!

It was crispy outside, tender inside, through and through. The exterior was genuinely crunchy enough to enjoy even without sauce, but even when the sauce was poured on generously it wasn't salty — the seasoning was just right, so I thought next time I'd enjoy trying it poured on. In the end we just dunked it straight into the sauce, and it was nice being able to enjoy it however we liked.

And once we ordered, they brought over tongs and scissors together, which made it really easy to eat! Little details like this made me feel the care put into taking care of guests ✨

While eating, I spotted the owner pouring draft beer up front..! Ah, futomaki with draft beer... isn't this basically Japan...? If I hadn't driven, I honestly couldn't have resisted ordering one....

Portion size, price and service at Choi Dining

💰 Price & portions. The amount was truly generous — more than enough for two to eat, to the point that we had to leave a bit of the katsu behind. Considering how full we walked out, I felt it was great value for money.

🙋 Service & staff. The interior was clean and the tables spaced generously, so we could eat in a pleasant atmosphere. It was nice that things like kids' chairs and disposable aprons were thoughtfully prepared, and the staff took care to bring over the tools we needed (tongs, scissors) without us asking, which made for a comfortable experience 😊

Who should eat at Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong?

⭐ Overall verdict & who it's for. Choi Dining Daejeon Gwanpyeong was a spot where I could properly enjoy a Japanese fusion menu, even among the many restaurants in Gwanpyeong-dong. Both the futomaki made with fresh ingredients and the crispy bone-in katsu were highly satisfying, and with its clean interior I'd recommend it as a spot for a date or family gathering.

• ✅ Anyone looking for a Japanese restaurant in Gwanpyeong-dong
• ✅ Couples deciding on a date course
• ✅ Families looking for a dining spot with kids in tow
• ✅ Anyone wanting a hearty meal made with healthy ingredients

Highly recommend 👍