Packed late-dinner tonkatsu in Ssangam-dong, Gwangju: Jeongseong Katsu

Where is Jeongseong Katsu Cheomdan Branch, and when is it open?

Jeongseong Katsu, Cheomdan Branch (정성카츠 첨단점) is at Units 118 and 119, 674-1 Ssangam-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and it's open 10:00–21:00. Parking support is available at CMC Tower, and the restaurant bills itself as a heartfelt, sincere Japanese-style tonkatsu spot.

I'd been looking for a good tonkatsu place in Cheomdan, and this is where I ended up.

Is Jeongseong Katsu crowded late in the evening?

I got there well after dinner time and it was still almost full. I'd expected it to be quiet, so that surprised me. Delivery and takeout orders kept coming in while I ate, and I couldn't help thinking, "Why did I only find out about this place now?"

(A photo of the restaurant taken right before closing, after all the customers had left)

What to order at Jeongseong Katsu Cheomdan Branch

It isn't only a tonkatsu place. The menu also has cream pasta, kimchi nabe (kimchi hot pot) and cold soba (buckwheat noodles), so it's easy to please whoever you bring along. I liked that you can pick regular or spicy sauce for the katsu, and the sets come with rice and curry, so a meal here is really filling.

This time I ordered the hire katsu set (tenderloin cutlet), the Jeongseong mixed katsu set and cold soba.

Does cold soba go well with tonkatsu?

Yes. The cold soba's chilled broth pairs really well with the katsu. It cuts through the greasiness of the fried food neatly, so it's a great combination alongside a set.

Jeongseong mixed katsu set: the jumbo fried shrimp is the highlight

The biggest plus of the Jeongseong mixed katsu set is that you get to try several kinds of cutlet in one go.

The big jumbo fried shrimp was crispy outside and springy inside, and so good~!!

The texture changes a little from cut to cut, which makes it fun to eat. This is my personal recommendation!

Hire katsu set: juicy, tender tenderloin

The hire katsu was so moist that the moment I bit into it, I could feel the juices were still locked in.

I liked the coating too. It isn't thick; it keeps the crunch while letting you taste the meat itself. The cabbage salad was fresh, and eating it with the sauce cut the richness and worked as a palate cleanser between bites. The warm, clean-tasting soup served alongside balanced out the meal nicely.

It wasn't dry at all, and the texture was so soft that I think kids would eat it without any trouble. The thick cut was satisfying to chew, and the meat's flavor really came through, so this was the dish that impressed me most.

Can you get extra curry with the set?

The curry that comes with the sets can also be ordered as an extra. And it turned out to be the surprise hidden star. I'd assumed it was just a freebie, but the deep, rich flavor was really impressive~! Mixing it into my rice, I started thinking, "I want a separate order of just this curry." (And you actually can~!!)

With such a generous spread, I felt I got a lot for the price.

Overall verdict on Jeongseong Katsu Cheomdan Branch

After visiting in person, I understood why there were almost no empty seats and delivery and takeout orders kept coming, even way past mealtime. Considering the price, the portions are generous, so it's a satisfying meal, and the atmosphere works for a family dinner or a date, and it's no pressure for dining solo either.

I'm curious about the other dishes too. Next time I want to order the cream pasta and kimchi nabe as well. With a wide menu, good tonkatsu and generous sets, it's a place I'd go back to when I want a proper meal.

You can use the CMC parking tower in the same building, so coming by car is no hassle. If you're looking for good tonkatsu or cold soba in Cheomdan, I'd definitely recommend Jeongseong Katsu Cheomdan Branch~!!