Market Meals by the Mountains — Soyeon K.

Hyoja-dong katsu restaurant in Chuncheon: triple katsu set for 3

Jeongseong Katsu Chuncheon Hyoja Branch is a Japanese-style katsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant in Hyoja-dong, Chuncheon, near Gangwon National University. Three people ordered the Triple Mixed Katsu Set at 14,900 won, the Jeongseong Mixed Katsu Set at 13,900 won and the Pork Jowl Katsu Set at 14,900 won with the spicy option, plus a Pepsi Zero, for a total of 45,700 won, and the tenderloin, pork loin, cheese, fried shrimp and thinly fried pork jowl all came out crisp outside and juicy inside. With a spotless dining room and restroom, Jeongseong Katsu works just as well for a solo meal as for a group.

Written Sep 5, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jongno 3-ga mandu restaurant for a lunch hot pot for two: Jongga Mandu

Jongga Mandu is a Korean restaurant near Exit 15 of Jongno 3-ga Station in Jongno, Seoul, serving hot pots built around handmade mandu (dumplings). Two diners shared the half-mild, half-spicy split-broth jeongol at 14,000 won per person, loading it with vegetables, handmade meat and kimchi dumplings and a kalguksu noodle add-in, and still left food on the table. With waits at both lunch and dinner from the office crowd nearby, Jongga Mandu is a solid value pick for a shared weekday meal.

Written Sep 5, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Station gyukatsu with mochi for a QR favorite: Ichigyu lunch

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on basement level 1 at 98 Huam-ro, right beside Exit 10 of Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. At lunch the writer ordered gyukatsu at 19,500 won and the steki jeongsik (steak set) at 19,500 won, grilling each piece on a butter-coated mini brazier and eating it with a salt and wasabi combo. With mostly two-person tables set well apart, Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch suits solo diners and families alike.

Written Sep 5, 2026Sponsored