Myeonmok tonkatsu restaurant for solo dining: Katsu Monster Myeonmok

I'd taken a half-day off work and was heading home when, since it was a quiet weekday afternoon, I felt like treating myself to a relaxed solo lunch. I searched for tonkatsu near Myeonmok Station and that's how I found Katsu Monster Myeonmok!

You just walk straight from Exit 2 of Myeonmok Station and turn — that's it! It had a lot of reviews and good ratings, so I trusted it. I'd been craving crispy tonkatsu, so I went in full of expectations!

Where is Katsu Monster Myeonmok, and what are its hours?

Katsu Monster Myeonmok is at 25 Sangbong-ro, 1st floor, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, an 11-minute walk from Exit 2 of Myeonmok Station. It's open daily from 10:30 to 21:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 16:00. Group dining, takeout, delivery, and reservations are all available.

When I arrived, there was a menu posted outside too, so I could browse what to order even before going in!

Stepping inside, the place felt compact and clean overall~

There were menu illustrations on the outer wall, so I could decide what I wanted the moment I saw them, haha

Counter seats for solo diners: is there space at a weekday lunch?

Katsu Monster Myeonmok is mostly counter (dachi) seating, so even going alone, I didn't feel awkward at all and felt right at home~ I went during a later lunch hour and there was room, but apparently on weekday lunches there usually aren't many empty seats.

Delivery notifications kept going off while I was ordering. Clearly a lot of people order takeout and delivery too, so I understood why it's known as a tonkatsu spot near Myeonmok Station, haha

I sat facing the open kitchen, and a sign hanging there caught my eye!

Without sweat, nothing can be achieved

I could feel the owner's determination, so I couldn't help but snap a photo, haha

What's on the menu at Katsu Monster Myeonmok?

You can order comfortably right from your seat. There was a variety of tonkatsu types — loin katsu, fillet katsu, cheese katsu, assorted katsu — plus noodle dishes like udon and cold soba, and lots of side options too! The set menus were well put together, which looked especially good for anyone who wants to enjoy tonkatsu and noodles together~

The one-person set: loin katsu and cold soba for 19,000 won

After some deliberation, I went with one of the best-menu picks, the solo set! The solo set is a tonkatsu + big noodle dish combo, and my chosen option — loin katsu + cold soba — came to ₩19,000.

I picked the loin katsu and cold soba combo, and it turned out to be perfect for solo dining. The price wasn't too heavy either, so it was just right for a weekday lunch~! What I liked most was being able to swap the options to fit my own taste.

Not long after ordering, the loin katsu solo set was set right down in front of me!!

How does the loin katsu taste?

The freshly-made loin katsu was so hot I could still feel the warmth!! I bit into it and the outside was crispy while the inside was juicy — my hand just kept reaching for more...!

The batter wasn't too thick and the meat had real thickness, so it had a satisfying chew too. It was the kind of tonkatsu you keep eating without ever feeling greasy. Living up to its reputation as a great tonkatsu spot near Myeonmok Station, the basics were clearly solid.

The cold soba, cabbage salad and rice on the side

The cold soba that came with it was surprisingly bigger than I expected! The buckwheat noodles in the chilled broth were chewy, and eating a bite between bites of tonkatsu cleansed my palate. Tonkatsu alone can get greasy, but thanks to the cold soba I could eat all the way through without getting tired of it~~

They also gave a generous serving of cabbage salad, so I got my vegetables in too, and the rice bowl was filled to the brim, which was touching, ㅠㅠ

On the table there were chopsticks, the usual Western-style tonkatsu sauce, wasabi, and Himalayan salt! And an oriental dressing sauce was provided for the salad~

Ah! Tissues and a water dispenser are set up on the side, just so you know~

By the time I finished the loin katsu, cold soba, and rice, I was genuinely stuffed. Even eating alone, the portion was far from lacking — actually, I got way~~ too full!!

Is Katsu Monster Myeonmok worth it for a solo meal?

Katsu Monster Myeonmok, a place I dropped into by chance on my half-day off — the loin katsu was crispy and the cold soba refreshing, leaving nothing to be desired even eating solo. The portions are generous and the counter seating makes it comfortable, so I'd highly recommend it not just for families and couples but for solo diners too~~

Next time I visit, I want to try the cheese katsu or the assorted katsu! Maybe even the spicy tonkotsu ramen~~? haha If you're looking for tonkatsu near Myeonmok Station, give Katsu Monster Myeonmok a try!