Japanese restaurant in Geumjeong, Busan: tonkatsu lunch and walk

I had such a lovely, delicious lunch while looking out at the pretty sky beyond the window. Today’s stop was Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch, a great tonkatsu spot near Oncheonjang. It was one of those warm days where I enjoyed the full course: a delicious meal followed by a walk along Oncheoncheon Stream.

Getting to Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch from Oncheonjang Station

Gatjidong, a popular place to eat in Oncheonjang, is about 400 m from Oncheonjang Station Exit 5 toward Jangjeon Raemian, directly opposite the complex’s south gate.

Gatjidong Busan Jangjeon Branch is a Japanese restaurant with a varied menu, from tonkatsu and rice bowls to udon, memil (buckwheat noodles), pasta, and salmon. Time to order!

You order from the kiosk installed at each table, and I got the half-and-half tonkatsu with mini udon and the Western-style tonkatsu with mini soba.

A free self-service bar that is great with kids

Unlimited cream soup, clear soup, and white rice are free, and children get free seaweed, furikake rice, vitamins, children’s tableware, and aprons—Gatjidong really is a wonderful place to visit with kids. Once our order was in, I happily piled up side dishes, soup, clear soup, and rice from the self-service bar.

These are the things I brought from the self-service bar—aren’t they so pretty?? Hehe, the colors were so lovely~~~~^^ My appetite exploded. Haha.

Half-and-half tonkatsu with mini udon—and cheese after the timer

Gatjidong’s signature half-and-half tonkatsu was so nice because I could enjoy two charms at once: crisp-outside, tender-inside tonkatsu and a nutty whole-cheese tonkatsu.

A staff member told me the cheese tonkatsu tastes best after all the sand has run through the hourglass. It was absolutely packed with cheese, which came pouring out the instant I cut into it.

It looked so appetizing. The Western-style tonkatsu went crunch! the moment I bit in, filling my mouth with a clean, nutty flavor. Even though the meat was thick, it was not dry at all—crispy outside and tender inside.

As for the udon, what more is there to say~~~ Slurp those chewy noodles into your mouth, take a sip of the broth, and wow~~~ it’s incredible. Gatjidong’s salad dressing was so delicious too, haha. I’m someone who doesn’t usually eat vegetables, but the dressing was so good that I finished it all.

Western-style tonkatsu and buckwheat soba set

This set brings together authentic Western-style tonkatsu, crisp yet tender and made with Korean pork ribeye, with buckwheat soba. Inside the golden, crunchy coating was a generous piece of thick, tender Korean pork ribeye.

It had the clean, moist texture that is distinctive to pork ribeye. After a big bite of the mild tonkatsu, a sip of the lightly seasoned yet savory buckwheat soba broth cleared the palate beautifully, and the noodles were wonderfully springy too. I never had a moment to get tired of this combination.

I love rakgyo (pickled scallions) and danmuji (yellow pickled radish), so I ate so much of them! They made the richness disappear. My mom, who can’t eat too many rich foods either, loved that Gatjidong has kimchi to eat alongside everything.

They also sell draft beer, so I recommend enjoying your meal with a glass.

Sun-filled picture windows and solo dining seats

The full-height windows let warm natural light fill the restaurant. From a window seat, I could take in the passing scenery, blue sky, and fluffy clouds all at once while I ate—it was such a healing space.

From comfortable solo dining counter seats to the airy, spacious room, it is easy to eat without feeling cramped. It feels perfectly comfortable to visit alone, while also being great for chatting away with friends, a partner, or family.

For reference, leave a receipt review with a photo and you will receive either a soda or three vegetable croquettes.

Why I recommend Gatjidong

• Perfect tonkatsu with thick meat and a crisp texture
• A perfect set-menu pairing of tonkatsu and noodles
• Generous portions
• A cozy atmosphere with window views of sunshine and clouds
• A perfect date course that continues with a walk along Oncheoncheon Stream

With delicious food, lovely weather, and a precious walk, the whole day became a collection of happy memories. If you are craving a generous, tasty tonkatsu near Oncheonjang, visiting near Busan National University, or looking for a simple date course on a beautiful day, do stop by Gatjidong at least once~^^ On the weekend, I want to come back for a rice bowl or salmon with a draft beer—eek~~~~~~ I’ll be back, haha.