Yangju tonkatsu that won over a hire katsu fan: Himawari in Okjeong

I used to only like fillet cutlet, but ever since I got hooked on loin tonkatsu, I've been having so much fun hunting down tonkatsu spots haha. While looking for a good tonkatsu place in Okjeong, I heard there was a premium tonkatsu specialty restaurant, so I went to check it out!

What kind of restaurant is Himawari in Okjeong-dong?

Today's spot is Himawari, a tonkatsu restaurant in Okjeong. It's a premium tonkatsu specialty restaurant located in Okjeong-dong, Yangju, Gyeonggi.

They say it's based on Japanese-style tonkatsu but developed with Korean tastes in mind!

They aim to reduce the greasiness of fried food while keeping the signature crispiness of tonkatsu haha.

A great place to visit if you're looking for a tonkatsu spot or just a good restaurant in Okjeong!

Inside Himawari: interior and seating

Himawari has a warm feel overall.

The wood-toned interior adds a cozy, comfortable feeling! The place isn't very big, with about

• 3 two-top tables
• 3 four-top tables

worth of seating.

Since there aren't many tables, I'd recommend making a reservation if you want to avoid waiting! We were lucky to get seated right away without a wait haha. It's a quiet, cozy atmosphere, so it's a good Okjeong tonkatsu spot for a date or a meal for two!

Himawari's menu and prices

Himawari has a variety of menu items centered around tonkatsu.

• Rosu katsu set (loin cutlet)
• Hire katsu set (fillet cutlet)
• Fish katsu set
• Chicken katsu set
• Katsu curry

There's also Himawari's Assorted A/B/C, letting you try several kinds of katsu at once! They also have a variety of side dishes,

• Crab croquette
• Fried shrimp (ebi fry)
• Cheese katsu
• Skewer udon
• Soba

so you can add on whatever suits your taste!

What we ordered at Himawari and what it cost

• Rosu katsu set ₩13,000
• Kimchi nabe set ₩13,000
• Cold soba ₩8,000

Grinding your own sesame for Himawari's tonkatsu sauce

After ordering, sesame seeds are set on the table first! While waiting for the tonkatsu, you grind the sesame diligently haha.

Once the sesame is well ground, you scoop the tonkatsu sauce from the jar and mix it evenly with the sesame — done! Adding a little mustard to the sauce brings a sharp kick that pairs even better with the tonkatsu 🤤

Making the sauce myself this way was kind of fun even before eating, honestly haha.

How was the rosu katsu (loin cutlet) set?

This was the dish I was most looking forward to that day! Ever since I got into loin tonkatsu, I eat rosu katsu often, and Himawari's rosu katsu had a bright pink cross-section that looked delicious just visually. They use the back part of the loin, giving it a soft, nutty style of flavor!

The batter wasn't too thick either, so the crispy texture of the tonkatsu really came through.

Adding a bit of salt or wasabi let you taste the meat itself, which was great haha. If you're like me — used to loving only fillet cutlet but now falling for rosu katsu — this one's worth trying! If you're on the hunt for an Okjeong tonkatsu spot and you love rosu katsu, this place is worth a visit!

Why cold soba is the summer pairing at Himawari

In summer, you can't skip the cold soba combo when eating tonkatsu haha. Eating cool cold soba alongside really complemented the nutty, crispy flavor of the tonkatsu! Especially taking bites of cold soba in between bites of tonkatsu cleansed the palate nicely.

It was much lighter than eating tonkatsu on its own the whole time. Personally, I recommend the tonkatsu-cold soba combo!

How does Himawari's kimchi nabe set taste?

Kimchi nabe was a great order for when you want something with a warm broth! The kimchi makes the broth slightly spicy, and it pairs well with the nutty flavor of the tonkatsu. Especially eating rice with the broth — the rice just kept going in haha. If you're craving a warm soup dish, I recommend the kimchi nabe set too!

Himawari: the verdict

Himawari — a spot I visited while looking for a good Okjeong tonkatsu place! I got to enjoy crispy tonkatsu in a warm, cozy atmosphere.

• Warm, cozy atmosphere
• Various tonkatsu menu options
• Soft, nutty rosu katsu
• Hand-ground sesame sauce
• Recommended: cold soba with tonkatsu combo
• Variety of menus down to kimchi nabe set

The place isn't very large, so if you plan to visit, I'd recommend making a reservation. And if you're like me — falling for the charm of rosu katsu on top of fillet cutlet — this is worth a visit as an Okjeong tonkatsu spot! Especially in summer, I recommend the tonkatsu and cold soba combo 🤍

Who Himawari is best for

• Anyone looking for a tonkatsu spot in Okjeong
• Anyone looking for a good restaurant in Okjeong
• Anyone looking for tonkatsu in Okjeong-dong
• Anyone looking for a tonkatsu spot in Yangju
• Anyone looking for a good restaurant in Yangju
• Anyone looking for a great rosu katsu spot
• Anyone looking for premium tonkatsu
• Anyone who loves the cold soba and tonkatsu combo
• Anyone looking for a cozy tonkatsu restaurant

Himawari hours and parking

• Wed–Mon 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:55)
• Closed Tuesdays
• Parking available