# Yeonnam-dong tonkatsu 1.5-person set with handmade soba: Katsu Monster - By Soojin Baek (https://superchart.com/en/@mullae-narrow-table/) - Written Sep 14, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul - Sponsored: This is a visit record written after receiving a complimentary meal from the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@mullae-narrow-table/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@mullae-narrow-table/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/index.md) ## In short Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch is a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant hidden in a Yeonnam-dong alley in Mapo, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 3. On a tired evening, one diner ordered the premium loin katsu 1.5-person set for 22,000 won, served with cabbage salad, napa cabbage soybean paste soup, kelp and hijiki seaweed rice, and handmade soba. The thick loin katsu, the better-than-expected cold soba and the gangjeong rice-cracker dessert made Katsu Monster a genuine mood-lifter. ## Good to know - **Location**: 1F, Unit 101, 42-6 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (5-minute walk from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3) - **Hours**: Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun 10:30–23:00 / Wed, Thu 10:30–21:00 - **Signature menu**: Hire katsu (pork fillet cutlet) 16,000 won, premium loin katsu 16,000 won, cheese katsu 17,000 won - **What was ordered**: Premium loin katsu 1.5-person set, 22,000 won - **What the set includes**: Cabbage salad, napa cabbage soybean paste soup, kelp and hijiki seaweed rice, soba noodles (udon available instead) - **Seating**: Plenty of counter (dachi) seats, tables for 4 or more, baby chairs available - **Price reference**: ₩22,000 ≈ $16.5 (2026-09-15) *as written by the visitor on Sep 14, 2026* ![Premium loin katsu set meal at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-01-1cn43-1200.webp) > [ 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 ![Exterior of Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch in a Yeonnam-dong alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-02-k4em0-900.webp) ![Signage of Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch near Hongik University Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-03-133cx-900.webp) 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. ![Entrance of Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-04-1lper-900.webp) ![Alley around the entrance of Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-05-2hjk0-900.webp) ## 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. ![Cozy interior of Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-06-1icpt-900.webp) The interior has a cozy, snug feel. There are tables for four or more too, so it can accommodate group customers as well. ![Table seating for groups at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-07-phuvn-900.webp) ![Counter (dachi) seating good for solo dining at Katsu Monster](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-08-1o7j2-900.webp) There are also tons of counter (dachi) seats, so this Yeonnam-dong favorite is perfect for solo diners or students grabbing lunch. ![Interior decorated with Japanese-style props](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-09-1m83c-900.webp) ![Wall decorations at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-10-153o4-900.webp) 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 ![Tonkatsu seasoning station with shichimi and salt](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-11-1stum-900.webp) ![Sauce display with wasabi and yuzu sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-12-1s5yt-900.webp) 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. ![Menu board at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-13-17g73-900.webp) ![Menu board with QR code guide for eating tonkatsu](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-14-rlc2q-900.webp) ![Baby chair provided at the restaurant](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-15-1vqf7-900.webp) 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. ![Premium loin katsu 1.5-person set laid out on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-16-4wiw0-900.webp) ![Set spread including cabbage salad and kelp-and-arrowroot rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-17-1pazt-900.webp) ## 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. ![Thickly sliced premium loin katsu](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-18-ubthd-900.webp) It's really thick and big, and the chewy texture is astounding, huhu — the loin katsu. ![Cross-section of loin katsu with crispy breading](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-19-1lun8-900.webp) 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 with pork](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-20-l6ycd-900.webp) ![Cold soba included in the set](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-21-168g1-900.webp) ### 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!! ![Handmade soba noodles dipped in broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-22-1uj7a-900.webp) ![Rice cracker dessert served as a palate cleanser](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-23-df0yz-900.webp) ![Mints and mouthwash placed at the counter as a thoughtful touch](https://img.superchart.com/images/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set-24-1l8bi-900.webp) ## 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! ## Where it is - Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch (카츠몬스터 연남본점) - 1F, 101, 42-6 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 마포구 동교로38길 42-6 1층 101호 카츠몬스터 연남본점 - 37.5610304, 126.9255679 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%B9%B4%EC%B8%A0%EB%AA%AC%EC%8A%A4%ED%84%B0%20%EC%97%B0%EB%82%A8%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5610304,126.9255679,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@mullae-narrow-table/katsu-monster-yeonnam-special-roast-katsu-set/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt