Busan tonkatsu lunch with spicy meat curry: Hets Jeonpo

Hets Jeonpo Branch was packed even at weekday lunch

Hets Jeonpo Branch, a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot I’d been wanting to try and had saved on Naver Place✨ I finally had some time, so I visited with my boyfriend on a Jeonpo date. We stopped by during weekday lunch and I was surprised by how busy it was. I was nervous because I absolutely wanted to try the limited-quantity special loin katsu!

Hets Jeonpo Branch is a popular Jeonpo tonkatsu spot with Catch Table reservations and evening waits✨ Since it was lunchtime, the shop was lovely with sunlight pouring in. I also liked that the waiting chairs were neat and tidy. The staff welcomed us kindly as soon as we entered, which put me in a good mood. There’s also a roomy clothing rack, so it’s easy to visit even in winter.

Bar seating that works for solo meals and dates

Hets Jeonpo Branch is a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot with an open kitchen and bar-style seating✨ I noticed lots of people comfortably eating alone here, too. There’s a restroom inside and a high chair available, so those thoughtful details stood out. They also sell merchandise, so I had a look around. Police officers, national merit recipients, military personnel, firefighters, high school seniors taking college entrance exams, and pregnant customers can receive benefits, so keep that in mind!

Sadly, the Jeju black pork special loin katsu was sold out on the day I visited. The staff explained it right away when we sat down, so we could quickly choose another menu item. At every seat at Hets Jeonpo Branch, a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot✨ there were black pepper, salad dressing, truffle oil, wasabi, a water bottle, and cutlery. You can even write down and submit a song request, so it’s a great place for a Jeonpo date, too.

Rice and soup refills, plus Pepsi Zero

Pepsi Zero (₩2,000) First, they brought cubed radish kimchi and sauces while preparing our order at Hets Jeonpo Branch, a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot✨ I ordered one drink, and I loved that it came in an insulated cup filled with ice. Rice and soup came first as well, and you can get refills if you need more. They also proactively told us to let them know if we wanted silbi kimchi, a very spicy kimchi. I’m weak with spicy food, so I didn’t ask for it, but if you love spicy food, definitely try it with your meal!

Meat curry with an appealing gentle kick

Meat curry (₩3,000) I ordered it because this is a place with great meat, and the slight spiciness of Hets Jeonpo Branch’s meat curry was so appealing✨ The pieces of meat in it were tender and delicious, and this alone could make me finish a whole bowl of rice in no time. I really love tonkatsu restaurants that do curry well, and Hets made me decide I have to come back. Next time, I’m absolutely ordering one curry per person.

Assorted katsu with both loin and tenderloin

Jeju black pork assorted katsu (₩18,000) The Jeju black pork assorted katsu my boyfriend ordered at Hets Jeonpo Branch, a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot✨ It comes with loin katsu and hire katsu (pork tenderloin cutlet), making it a good choice for a first visit. We picked it instead because the special loin katsu was unavailable, and it came with salt and mustard sauce, which kept everything clean-tasting. Each table has an assortment of sauces, so it was easy to eat it however we liked.

The loin katsu felt shorter and firmer than the special loin katsu. If you like tender tonkatsu, I recommend the special loin katsu with gabrisal, the pork collar cut. The hire katsu was delicious—pure tender, moist pork tenderloin. The coating was seriously crisp but not thick, so Hets Jeonpo Branch’s tonkatsu was easy to enjoy without feeling heavy✨

YBD special loin katsu with pork collar attached

YBD special loin katsu (₩16,000) The YBD special loin katsu at Hets Jeonpo Branch, a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot, was what I ordered after the Jeju black pork special loin katsu had sold out✨ With gabrisal attached, it’s a little more tender than regular loin katsu. The Yorkshire Berkshire Duroc pork had such a distinctive flavor. I insist on ordering special loin katsu everywhere I go, and at Hets Jeonpo Branch, even the quality of the meat felt different. It was packed with juices—such a completely happy flavor.

At Hets Jeonpo Branch, a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot✨ I was busy trying every single one: salt, mustard sauce, pepper, truffle oil, wasabi, and tonkatsu sauce. Each one was delicious and paired so well that I was truly happy. The wasabi was labeled as quite spicy, but I actually liked how neatly it cut through the meat. Of course, it did make my eyes water a little. I vowed that I’ll definitely eat the Jeju black pork special loin katsu next time. Both the fat and lean meat were incredibly tender and delicious.

Hets Jeonpo Branch, a Jeonpo tonkatsu spot, even gives you a cute candy when you pay✨ They gave us a coupon, too, so I’m going to collect them diligently and make sure I try the one-person katsu set meal. All the staff were kind, and most of all, the food was really delicious. I highly recommend Hets Jeonpo Branch to anyone looking for a great place for a solo meal or date in Jeonpo. There are lots of pretty cafés and little lifestyle shops nearby, so be sure to stop by those, too!