Euljiro tonkatsu with green onion kimchi refills and solo seats: Hunta

Hunta Euljiro opening hours

I saved Hunta Euljiro's opening hours in the photos of the store's notice.

Why I chose Hunta Euljiro for an Euljiro office lunch

Hunta Euljiro (훈타 을지로) is a tonkatsu place inside the Fastfive building in Euljiro. I found it by chance while wondering what to eat for lunch. After one visit, my first thought was that I wanted to come back. Being inside the Fastfive building makes it easy to reach and comfortable for office workers, so it was easy to see why so many people come at lunchtime. My strongest impression was a place that sticks to the basics of the food rather than flashy promotion.

Is Hunta Euljiro comfortable for eating alone?

Yes. Hunta Euljiro has seats set aside for solo diners, so eating alone is easy. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was how clean it was. Every table was tidy, and the open kitchen was kept spotless, which built trust before I even ate. I especially loved that there are separate solo seats. The mood is not awkward at all for people eating alone, so it works well for office workers at lunch. Plenty of other diners were eating solo too, and I could enjoy the meal in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

The owner's thoughtful care showed everywhere. From managing the store to clearing dishes to serving customers, the attention to detail was impressive, and the owner kindly checked first whether we needed anything, which kept me in a good mood throughout the meal. It reminded me again that small touches like these are what make you want to return to a restaurant.

How was the tonkatsu at Hunta Euljiro?

I ordered the signature tonkatsu that day. The coating was thin and crisp, and the inside was juicy. The first thing that caught my ear as soon as the plate arrived was the sound of the crunch. The coating was so good that I could hear a "crunch" the moment I bit in. Thin and crisp outside, moist and full of juices inside, so the contrast in texture was unmistakable. Even though the cut of meat was thick, it wasn't tough and chewed tender, so I could really enjoy the true flavor of tonkatsu.

The coating didn't soak up too much oil, so it never felt greasy right to the end, and it was just thick enough not to overpower the flavor of the meat, which made it even better. The sauce matched the cutlet well too, with a nice balance of sweetness and savory depth, so I enjoyed it down to the last piece. You can tell this is a tonkatsu with solid fundamentals, no fancy toppings needed.

Is the kimchi jjigae at Hunta Euljiro more than a side?

The kimchi jjigae served with the tonkatsu was so well made it could pass as a main dish. It was better than I expected. At tonkatsu places the soup is often just a side, but Hunta Euljiro's kimchi jjigae was different. The broth was rich with real depth, and it was simmered down to a slightly thick, not-too-watery level that goes really well with rice.

Above all, the big chunks of pork stood out. It wasn't just kimchi in broth: the savory flavor of the meat had melted fully into the soup, so I kept reaching for the spoon. The kimchi's mild tang and the deep pork flavor came together into a spicy yet rich broth, and alternating it with the crisp tonkatsu was the perfect combination.

Enjoying the nutty richness of the tonkatsu, then taking a spoonful of kimchi jjigae to reset my mouth, then going back to the crisp cutlet, was a really good rhythm. It wasn't harsh but still had deep flavor, so it was a filling lunch, and the satisfaction lasted long after the meal.

Why I recommend Hunta Euljiro for tonkatsu lunch in Euljiro

I felt Hunta Euljiro is not just a place with tasty tonkatsu, but a restaurant polished in both space and service. Seating that is comfortable even alone, a clean store, an owner who kindly looks after customers, and food true to the basics: I had no complaints at all.

If you're looking for proper tonkatsu in Euljiro, I'd definitely recommend Hunta Euljiro. Cutlets that are unbelievably crisp outside and juicy inside, kimchi jjigae with a deep, rich broth and plenty of pork, and a relaxed space for eating alone: it satisfies on every count. After one visit, it's easy to understand why it has so many regulars, and the meal was satisfying enough that I want to try other dishes next time. If you need a filling lunch or a no-fail tonkatsu spot in Euljiro, I recommend it with confidence.

The surprise kicker: Hunta Euljiro's green onion kimchi

This green onion kimchi (pa-kimchi) was the unexpected kicker.... If you love pa-kimchi, get refills and eat plenty!