Amsa-dong tonkatsu restaurant Tonka: salt and wasabi first, ₩15,000

A visit to Tonka, an Amsa-dong tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant that's perfect to stop by after a Han River walk. Check out the crispy, juicy loin and tenderloin in a Japanese-restaurant atmosphere — a great date course!

Why we walked to Tonka near Amsa Station after the Han River

The weather's been so nice lately for a stroll that I went out for a light walk along the Han River and finally made it to Tonka, a place I'd been wanting to try for ages — famous as an Amsa-dong tonkatsu restaurant. It's so well known as an Amsa Station favorite that I was really looking forward to it even before I arrived.

Tonka's location in Amsa-dong and opening hours

• Address: 78 Sangam-ro 5-gil, 1st floor, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11:00 – 20:30
• Break time: 15:00 – 17:00
• Last order: 14:30, 20:00
• Closed: every Monday

The storefront wasn't over-the-top — just tidy and clean — and I loved it from first sight. It's exactly the kind of place to stop into casually after a neighborhood stroll or a small Han River date.

Bar seats facing Tonka's open kitchen

Walking into Tonka, the bar-style (datchi) table seating caught my eye right away, giving off that clean, calm feel typical of a proper Japanese tonkatsu restaurant. It's a small space, but the open kitchen lets you watch the entire cooking process up close, which was reassuring — you can tell it's run hygienically and cleanly.

Ordering is done smartly via a QR code on the table, and there were thoughtful hooks on the wall for bags and coats — a nice touch showing the owner's attention to detail.

Tonka's menu and prices: what ₩15,000 gets you

• Tonkatsu ₩15,000 — a set combining the rich juiciness of loin with the tenderness of tenderloin on one plate
• Special loin katsu ₩18,000 (limited quantity) — made with specially selected loin cuts
• Sasami katsu ₩14,000 (limited quantity) — light chicken breast fried crispy for a clean, refreshing bite

We ordered the signature 'tonkatsu (₩15,000)' plus a drink. I liked that it's an assorted set letting you enjoy the loin's rich juiciness and the tenderloin's softness on one plate.

They start frying fresh as soon as you order, and there was a little fun in watching the cooking process unfold right across the bar table.

Before long, the food arrived plated neatly and beautifully — I gasped the moment I saw it. True to its reputation as an Amsa-dong tonkatsu favorite, the crispiness of the breading and the rosy pink of the meat looked like a work of art.

Loin vs tenderloin katsu at Tonka: how they taste different

I first took a bite of the tenderloin katsu — the breading cracked with a crisp, lively snap, then the rosy pink meat gave way soft and smooth without any resistance.

There was no dryness at all — it just melted in my mouth, and the texture was seriously incredible.

Juicy moisture packed into the center of the meat burst out, filling my mouth with a clean, savory meaty aroma.

Next I tried the loin katsu — the firm, savory chew of the lean part and the chewiness of the fat layer on top came together in perfect harmony.

The distinctive savory richness of the fat combined with a deep meaty aroma gave it a different, more indulgent charm compared to the lean tenderloin.

What stood out most was how thin the breading was, with the oil well drained off, so it stayed light and never felt greasy all the way through.

Salt and wasabi first: how to eat Tonka's tonkatsu

At Tonka, salt, wasabi, and tonkatsu sauce all come as basic condiments — I'd recommend taking the first bite with just a touch of salt or wasabi to really taste the meat's natural juices first!

With crunchy cabbage salad, neatly served rice, warm doenjang soup (soybean paste soup), and savory pickled pepper leaves alongside, it was a complete meal with no chance of getting tired of it, right up to the last bite.

I got to taste proper, well-made Japanese-style katsu, and I know I'll be back soon — I'd definitely recommend Tonka, an Amsa-dong tonkatsu favorite, for a Han River outing or date course!