Office lunch in Naju: pork cutlet kimchi nabe in broth at Jinsim Wang

A Naju restaurant recommendation: my story of the brothy, simmering donkkaseu (pork cutlet) kimchi nabe at Jinsim Wang Donkkaseu Naju Innovation Branch (진심왕돈까스 나주혁신점).

Is parking easy at Jinsim Wang Naju Innovation Branch?

Jinsim Wang Naju Innovation Branch has its own parking lot, so it's easy to come by car even in Naju Innovation City, and you can register your parking yourself on the way out. I was looking for a lunch spot in Naju Innovation City and ended up here. The lot is big, so driving there was easy. Parking in the Innovation City at midday is a real nightmare T_T, so having a dedicated lot was a huge relief, and you do the parking registration yourself after eating~

Lunchtime atmosphere and seating

Jinsim Wang Naju Innovation Branch had lots of office workers from nearby at lunchtime, but the place is big enough that it didn't feel cramped. I went at lunch, and it seems to be a known lunch spot among local workers, because it was quite busy. Still, the space is large and well kept, so the first impression as soon as I walked in was good.

There's a variety of seating, such as tables for 2 and for 4, and baby chairs too, so it looks comfortable for eating alone, as a pair, or with family.

Leftovers go in the self-service packing station

One side of Jinsim Wang Naju Innovation Branch has a self-service packing station stocked with takeout boxes and utensils. The portions are generous, so a lot of customers seemed to pack up their leftovers. With the station set up on its own, you can box up what's left without feeling awkward, and that was surprisingly handy.

What's at the self-serve bar?

The self-serve bar at Jinsim Wang Naju Innovation Branch has basic sides like lettuce, pickled radish and kimchi, plus hot soup and jangguk (clear soup). The bar was well run too. Besides the basic sides, there was hot soup and jangguk, and you could help yourself to as much as you wanted.

Sipping a bowl of soup before the cutlet arrived made me feel even more fortified. The sides were neatly arranged and fully stocked, so I used it without any trouble.

Is it only donkkaseu on the menu?

The menu at Jinsim Wang Naju Innovation Branch goes beyond donkkaseu, with a fairly wide range of noodles and rice dishes. If two of you go, ordering one cutlet plus one rice or noodle dish to share looks like a good plan.

With such a wide menu, even a bigger group should be able to find something each person wants.

How did the donkkaseu kimchi nabe taste?

The donkkaseu kimchi nabe I ordered arrives bubbling in a hot pan, and rice is included. I ordered the donkkaseu kimchi nabe that day. The sight of it bubbling away in the hot pan the moment it came out was already the real deal.

Rice included is the best, haha! A bite of cutlet, a spoonful of rice, a sip of broth, and before I knew it I realized the portion was pretty big. Maybe because it's a brothy dish, it felt more filling than a regular cutlet.

Cutlet soaked in kimchi broth

In Jinsim Wang's kimchi nabe, the cutlet isn't just laid on top; it sits in the kimchi broth, which comes up around it. So the sauce and broth had soaked naturally into the cutlet.

Personally, I'm a little disappointed when the cutlet and broth in a kimchi nabe feel separate, but here the kimchi broth had soaked into the breading just the right amount, so each bite felt more harmonious.

The outside had softened a little, but the meat inside was thick and tender, and eaten with kimchi it had almost no greasiness.

The combo of kimchi, egg and scallions

The kimchi in the donkkaseu kimchi nabe wasn't too sour or harsh, so it went well with the broth. The kimchi itself was tasty and good alongside the cutlet.

Egg was gently stirred in on top, which made the broth milder and nuttier. Scallions were on top too, and their aroma suited it well.

Verdict: is Jinsim Wang a good lunch in Naju Innovation City?

Jinsim Wang Naju Innovation Branch has easy parking, a big dining room, a well-run self-serve bar and a wide menu, which makes it a great place for lunch. I could see why so many office workers come.

It's good for cutlet lovers, and also for anyone who wants rice or noodle dishes alongside, and it looked fine for solo meals or family outings too. Next time I come with one other person, I'd like to order a basic cutlet plus one rice or noodle dish and share.

The donkkaseu kimchi nabe I had this time was hot and filling, a proper lunch.