Yeonnam-dong restaurant for cold soba and katsu: Katsu Monster

While looking for good donkatsu (Japanese-style pork cutlet) in Yeonnam-dong, I visited Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch. It would be nice to make a relaxed outing of it: browse the cafés and little gift shops tucked around Yeonnam-dong’s alleys, stroll along Yeontral Park, then sit down for a meal. I thought it would make a decent date course, too.

But I was alone,, and Yeonnam-dong has so many good restaurants that choosing one can be hard. This time, though, I was craving a thick pork cutlet, so that is how I ended up here.

Yeonnam-dong pork cutlets an easy walk from Hongik University Station

It is about 400 m from Hongik University Station Exit 3, so getting there by subway was easy enough. It is close enough to reach quickly while walking through the alleys of Yeonnam-dong, which also makes it nice for a casual stroll.

I ordered the solo set (1 katsu + 1 noodle dish). I paid an extra ₩2,000 to switch the katsu to tenderloin, and chose refreshing cold soba for the noodles.

Thick tenderloin katsu: crisp outside, juicy inside

As soon as the katsu arrived, the thickness was the first thing that caught my eye! It was seriously thick, and looked filling just sitting there. One bite in, the exterior was crisp while the inside was moist and full of juices, which I really enjoyed.

I wanted to taste the clean flavor of the meat itself, so I tried it with salt and pepper and with pork-cutlet sauce too; each had its own appeal. It was good plain and good with sauce, so you can enjoy it in different ways depending on your preference.

The portion of katsu was especially generous, so the solo set alone made for a filling meal. The jangguk (clear soup) served with the set was tastier than expected too, and was nice to have between bites of katsu. It had a kind of kimchi-jangguk flavor?? and went well with the katsu.

Refreshing cold soba that paired beautifully with katsu

And the katsu pairing has to be cold soba!

The cold soba was truly refreshing, and its broth was clean and delicious. The noodles had a great texture too. After the thick, savory katsu, a sip of the cold-soba broth felt like it cleared my palate, so the two worked very well together.

Katsu content via the QR code on the table

I was curious about the QR code on the table labeled “How to enjoy katsu deliciously,” so I scanned it, and up came content related to Katsu Monster. If you are curious about ways to enjoy katsu even more, it might be fun to browse when you have a moment.

A relaxed setting for solo meals and date meals alike

The atmosphere did not feel intimidating, so it was fine for eating alone, and it also felt comfortable for two people having a meal together. It seems like a good place to stop by when you want a filling meal while on a date in Yeonnam-dong.

Parking and takeout information

There is no on-site parking. If you visit by car, I was advised to use Dongjin Parking Lot (Dongjin Juchajang), about 200 m from the restaurant.

Service starts at 10:30 a.m., and takeout is available, so it would be nice to take it away on days when dining in is difficult. I visited at lunchtime, and there were quite a lot of orders too. It really is known as a good pork-cutlet spot in Yeonnam-dong.

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch was a great Yeonnam-dong spot where I could enjoy thick katsu and refreshing cold soba together. If you are looking for a pork-cutlet restaurant that is easy to visit whether you are dining alone or on a date, it may be worth stopping by. There is plenty to see nearby after your meal too, so I definitely recommend it.