Euljiro tonkatsu after work, no wait: 3-katsu set + corn sauce, Hunta

If you love tonkatsu, you've probably heard of Hunta, the place near Kkachisan Station famous for its long waits. Well, Hunta has finally opened in Euljiro too, so I went! I've been totally obsessed with tonkatsu lately, haha, so the second I heard the news I headed over for dinner after work.

It's quickly becoming a go-to lunch spot for office workers around here, so I'll share my honest review after actually eating there, plus tips for avoiding the wait.

Hunta Euljiro opening hours and parking

• Address: 24 Namdaemun-ro 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Fast Five building, 1st floor, Unit 106
• Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–20:30 (last order 19:40)
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Closed: every Saturday and Sunday
• Parking: paid building parking lot, ₩3,000 per 30 minutes

Hunta from Kkachisan opens a branch in Euljiro

Hunta Euljiro is the Euljiro branch of Hunta, famous for its Kkachisan original, and on a weekday evening you can eat far more comfortably than at lunch. The Kkachisan main shop always had such a long line that I never dared to go, so having one nearby in Euljiro makes me overwhelmingly grateful...

I gather it opened only recently, but word has clearly already spread, and apparently it's popular with nearby office workers at lunch. It really does seem to have become a Euljiro lunch favorite!! I skipped the fierce lunch peak and went in the evening, which was much more relaxed. The interior is clean and pleasant with no fuss, perfect for a comfortable meal after work.

How to get to Hunta Euljiro and what it's like inside

Hunta Euljiro is 200m from Exit 1-1 of Euljiro-ipgu Station, on the ground floor of the Fast Five building. I walked from Gwanghwamun Station and it took about 15 minutes. It's also close to Jonggak Station and City Hall Station, so it's easy to reach.

Hunta Euljiro is right there as soon as you enter the building. There are two entrances: this one, and a door from the back alley that leads straight into the restaurant!

Inside, it feels clean, and the dark interior with soft lighting made me feel like I was at a stylish Japanese dining spot. The tables, with 2-person and 4-person seats plus a bar counter, are laid out efficiently to fit as many people as possible even at the lunch peak.

The solo seats for eating alone were just as tidy.

The aging fridge caught my eye. Hunta reportedly uses a variety of black pork breeds so you can taste rich fat and juicy meat. I can't even imagine how good it must be.

Hunta Euljiro menu: what did I order?

At Hunta Euljiro you check the menu and order at a kiosk 🪄 I ordered the mixed katsu set: loin, fillet and cheese. At katsu places I just can't pick only one. I want to try everything~ 🤍 So I always order the mixed one, haha.

Sang-loin katsu, which only proper tonkatsu spots have! It's limited in quantity and, of course, sold out, which was a shame. Hold on, here's a mini dictionary for anyone unfamiliar with sang-loin katsu.

Which cut is sang-loin katsu, and how is it different from loin katsu?

Sang-loin is a special cut that comes in tiny amounts from each pig: a premium loin cut with gabrisal (pork neck/shoulder-loin muscle) attached to the loin. Compared with regular loin katsu, it has a stronger meaty aroma and extra fat, making it richer and nuttier!

Hunta is also famous for its kimchi stew, and the tonkatsu and kimchi stew set sold only at lunchtime looked really tempting. What a combination.. 😋

The food took about 10–15 minutes after ordering and was brought to my seat. Cooking starts once the order goes in, so keep in mind that it takes a little time.

How did the three cutlets in Hunta's mixed katsu set taste?

The mixed katsu set at Hunta Euljiro lets you try the popular items all at once. With loin, fillet and cheese katsu plus salad, beef radish soup, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), green onion kimchi and sauce, it was a really generous spread.

Fillet katsu

Hunta's fillet katsu is medium-well with a slightly rosy center, and the moment I bit in, the trapped juices burst out 🎉 The meat is so tender it melts away after just a few chews.

Cheese katsu

They must use good cheese, because the moment I picked it up with my chopsticks, the cheese stretched on and on. The nutty, salty cheese, thin wrap of meat and crispy coating were so well balanced that I enjoyed it without it feeling heavy.

Loin katsu

Hunta's loin katsu had the heartiest flavor of the three, with a nutty layer of fat mixed in that gave it great depth. The owner told me it's even better with a little pepper sprinkled on the fat, so I tried it, and sure enough it was less greasy and the savory flavor came alive.

The fat was especially chewy, so even I, who normally can't handle soft, squishy textures, cleaned it all up happily. It also goes well with the green onion kimchi, so try them together.

Cabbage salad with handmade corn sauce

And the kicker at Hunta Euljiro! It looks like the most ordinary cabbage salad, but the sauce is anything but ordinary! The handmade corn sauce is sweet and so yummy 🤍 You can get refills at the kiosk too, so be sure to try it.

When to go to Hunta Euljiro to avoid the wait

Hunta Euljiro is in an office district, so a wait is almost a given from 11:30 to 12:30 at lunch, while in the evening I was seated right away with no wait. It varies a lot by time of day.

• Lunch (difficulty: high): Assume a wait is almost certain from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you're going at lunch, the tip is to arrive right at opening at 11:00, or aim for after 1 p.m. once the peak has passed.
• Evening (recommended!): The evening when I went was relatively quiet compared with lunch and tables turned over quickly, so I was seated right away with no wait. If you want to relax after work with a light drink alongside your meal, I recommend an evening visit.

Hunta Euljiro: final verdict

From the quality of the meat to the crispness of the batter, I could see why it made the Daedonyeoji top 100 list. The atmosphere is clean and the staff were friendly, so I left feeling good. If you're looking for a proper tonkatsu restaurant in Euljiro, go once before it gets even hotter and lines start forming in the evening too!