Katsu curry bowl and soba set in Oncheonjang, Busan at Gatjidong

Today I want to recommend a place I think of as an Oncheonjang favorite: Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch.

What kind of restaurant is Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch?

This isn't a place that only does one thing well — you can get tonkatsu, salmon, soba, pasta and curry all in one spot, which made it perfect for a family meal or a hangout with friends. Even when everyone wants something different, there's enough variety that everyone leaves happy. 🤍

The first thing I loved was that parking is free. Around Oncheonjang, parking is usually a headache, but at Gatjidong you can park easily and eat without any stress about it.

What's unlimited at the self-service bar?

At Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch, the self-service bar offers unlimited soup, broth, rice and side dishes. It was really well stocked, so I never felt like anything was missing. Portions are already generous, but being able to freely grab extra rice or sides on top made it even more satisfying.

Is it comfortable for solo diners and families with kids?

Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch has both solo seats and baby chairs ready. The interior was also spacious and clean.

There were solo seats set up for people dining alone, plus baby chairs, so I saw plenty of families with kids around too.

In fact, everyone from solo diners to families and friend groups was there, so it felt like a place anyone could feel comfortable in.

How was the tomato cheonggyul salmon udon?

This time I ordered tomato cheonggyul (green citrus) salmon udon, whole mentaiko pasta, and the katsu curry rice bowl + soba set.

I started with the dish I was most curious about, the tomato cheonggyul salmon udon. I really love salmon, but a cold salmon udon combo was a first for me, so I was extra excited.

It looked refreshing right away, and the first bite was even better than expected. The tomato and green citrus added a tangy note that cut through the salmon's richness cleanly, so it never got heavy even to the last bite. 🍅🍊 The salmon itself was, needless to say, fresh and tender, and it paired nicely with the chewy udon noodles. This felt like exactly the kind of dish you'd crave in summer.

What noodles and sauce make up the whole mentaiko pasta?

Next up was the whole mentaiko pasta. I'd heard it's one of Gatjidong's signature dishes, so I ordered it with high expectations — and it clearly earned its popularity. I usually prefer thin-noodle pasta, and this hit exactly my taste.

The sauce was thick and creamy while the savory, salty flavor of the mentaiko (pollock roe) really came through, and it coated the noodles well enough that every bite to the last one was delicious. There was plenty of mentaiko too, so I got that pop of texture with every mouthful. 🍝 If you like mentaiko pasta, this is one to try at least once.

How generous is the katsu curry rice bowl + soba set?

Last was the katsu curry rice bowl + soba set. I was surprised at how much food came out at first — perfect for anyone wanting a really filling meal. The tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) was crispy outside and juicy inside, great texture, and it went even better paired with the curry.

The curry wasn't too intense either, with a mild, smooth flavor that seemed like it would please just about anyone, young or old.

On top of that, the cold soba (buckwheat noodles) that came with the set made the whole meal feel really substantial. On a hot day, the cold soba cleaned the palate and paired really well with the tonkatsu.

After trying all these dishes, I understood why Gatjidong is so popular. The menu is genuinely varied, so whoever you come with can pick something that suits their own taste, and each dish was satisfying on its own. Add in free parking and the self-service bar, and it felt like really good value overall.

Who would I recommend this to

• Anyone looking for a good restaurant in Oncheonjang
• Anyone who wants tonkatsu and soba together
• Anyone who loves mentaiko pasta
• Anyone who loves salmon dishes
• Anyone looking for a restaurant good for both family meals and solo dining
• Anyone looking for a restaurant with free parking

If you want to enjoy a wide variety of menu items in one visit in Oncheonjang, I'd recommend Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch. 🍱 From tonkatsu to salmon udon, mentaiko pasta, curry and soba, everything was satisfying, and the generous portions plus the unlimited self-service bar made the meal even more filling. Whoever you visit with, there's something to suit their taste, so this is an Oncheonjang restaurant I'd want to come back to.