Yeonnam-dong tonkatsu 1.5-person set with handmade soba: Katsu Monster

[ Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch ] - Address: 1F, 101, 42-6 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch - Hours: Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun 10:30-23:00 / Wed, Thu 10:30-21:00 - Signature menu: Hire katsu (₩16,000) / Premium loin katsu (₩16,000) / Cheese katsu (₩17,000)

I've been busy and worn out lately, kind of down in the dumps, but a genuinely delicious solo-dining set fixed that mood completely. All thanks to Katsu Monster, a Yeonnam-dong favorite and their premium loin katsu. I had no idea there was a tonkatsu place this good in Yeonnam-dong... (I really was wandering around Hongdae for nothing all this time!)

Where is Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch? 5 minutes from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3

About a 5-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 3 — very close to the station, but tucked away in an alley — this is Katsu Monster, a hidden gem in Yeonnam-dong.

Inside Katsu Monster: counter seats made for solo diners

Inside Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch felt pleasantly relaxed when I got there, but that's because I arrived a bit early. Right after that, customers came pouring in, so I guess I got lucky!

I'd imagine the wait gets pretty long during lunch/dinner peak hours or on weekends.

The interior has a cozy, snug feel. There are tables for four or more too, so it can accommodate group customers as well.

There are also tons of counter (dachi) seats, so this Yeonnam-dong favorite is perfect for solo diners or students grabbing lunch.

Every little decoration is full of Japanese vibes — it kind of feels like an old-school neighborhood tonkatsu shop long loved by locals in a Japanese residential area... that kind of atmosphere.

Seasoning sauces, the menu QR video and baby chairs at Katsu Monster

Gabanhwacheu shichimi, known for its great flavor, plus salt, wasabi, yuzu sauce, and more — there's a whole seasoning station set up to enjoy your tonkatsu to the fullest. I'm someone who likes eating katsu with the salt-plus-wasabi combo, so being able to help myself as much as I like is another appealing part.

Another impressive thing about this Yeonnam-dong favorite is that the menu has a QR video — there's a YouTube video in Korean, English, and Chinese showing you how to best enjoy Katsu Monster's tonkatsu haha. And even though this is a famous Yeonnam-dong spot for the neighborhood's young crowd, they still had baby chairs ready — such a thoughtful touch.

What comes in the premium loin katsu 1.5-person set for 22,000 won?

After a bit of a wait, my freshly fried premium loin katsu arrived!! I ordered the 1.5-person set (₩22,000), which comes with cabbage salad, napa cabbage soybean paste soup, warm kelp-and-arrowroot rice, and soba noodles (udon can be substituted) — a really solid, filling composition. Even big eaters would be totally satisfied with this perfect lineup.

It's really thick and big, and the chewy texture is astounding, huhu — the loin katsu.

The breading was fried crisp so well, and the balance between the fat and lean meat parts was insane... one bite and I was moved by the deep, savory meaty flavor that spread through my mouth.

Napa cabbage soybean paste soup and handmade cold soba

I was surprised at how refreshing and savory the napa cabbage soybean paste soup at this Yeonnam-dong favorite was... one bowl of this soup and you could probably finish a whole pot of rice (it even has a generous amount of pork in it).

The cold soba that comes as a side is also incredibly generous in portion.

Honestly, I didn't expect much since it was just a side dish, but the umami of the refreshingly clean soba broth that opens up all the way to your chest + the springy texture of the handmade soba noodles made in-house — absolutely top-tier flavor!!

Gangjeong rice-cracker dessert and the final verdict

After finishing off with a rice cracker dessert as a palate cleanser, I found mints and mouthwash ready at the counter to freshen up my mouth. Such a thoughtful touch that really moved me...

It had been an especially exhausting and gloomy day, but this felt like giving myself a gift — and with that, I'll wrap up this review of the loin katsu at Katsu Monster, my Yeonnam-dong favorite!