Songpa tonkatsu with spice levels and beer: Matsumi

Every now and then, you know those days when you’re especially craving something that wakes up your appetite, like hot, crispy food straight out of the fryer?

So I decided I needed proper tonkatsu and started looking around—then I heard there was a tonkatsu place where you could even choose the level of spice to suit your taste, so I rushed right over haha.

Matsumi Seokchon Lake Main Branch near Seokchon Gobun Station

The place I visited was Matsumi Seokchon Lake Main Branch (마츠미 석촌호수본점), near Seokchon Gobun Station. Apparently it’s popular as a Seokchon Lake date-course spot and as a lunch place near Seokchon Gobun Station, so I was dying to finish work and get there already haha.

As soon as I stepped inside, the whole place was so neatly and cozily decorated!

The seating layout was impressive too: there were group tables that were great for dining together, of course, but also comfortable counter seats where you could eat alone without feeling self-conscious at all.

It was really the perfect setup for anyone going out for a solo meal without any pressure.

And throughout the restaurant, I could feel the thoughtful consideration for guests.

They had hair ties ready so your hair wouldn’t fall into your meal, plus candies to freshen up your mouth on the way out after eating. The owner’s overflowing sense made me smile without even trying haha.

Spicy Cheddar Tonkatsu with a chosen spice level

My goal that day was to try the Spicy Cheddar Tonkatsu, which had apparently come out as a new menu item at Matsumi!

Looking at the menu, I saw that you could choose the spice intensity yourself. It was divided into four levels: Standard, Beginner, Expert, and Maepsin.

I used to have so much pride in being able to eat spicy food, but my stomach has gotten much weaker these days, so I played it safe and ordered the Standard level haha.

Before long, my Spicy Cheddar Tonkatsu arrived, and the visual alone was seriously overwhelming hahaha. The yellow cheddar cheese sauce was poured all over the tonkatsu, and just looking at it got my mouth watering properly.

I’m sure everyone has had that slightly disappointing experience of not having enough sauce with tonkatsu at least once. Here, though, they were so generous with it that there was sauce everywhere—I even mixed all the leftover sauce into my rice at the end. They gave you such a plentiful amount that I absolutely loved it hahaha.

Above all, the quality of the meat—the heart of tonkatsu—was insane hahaha. The lean meat inside that crispy coating was so tender that it just melted away in my mouth the moment I took a bite haha.

The crispy exterior and tender meat came together with cheddar cheese sauce that was spicy, nutty, and smooth, and the savoriness just exploded all over my mouth, I’m telling you???

Since I chose the Standard level, it wasn’t overwhelmingly spicy—just pleasantly tingly and smooth, so I never got tired of it and kept eating hahaha.

A meal paired with Asahi beer

I saw Asahi beer on the menu too, so I ordered it alongside the meal—and it was truly an excellent choice haha.

After a bite of the rich, crispy tonkatsu and spicy cheddar cheese sauce, a sip of cold Asahi beer completely reset my palate. The combination was an absolute perfect match.

It completely cut through the richness and brought up the flavor—approved as the best pairing!

For anyone looking for a delicious Jamsil tonkatsu specialist, or a great Seokchon Lake date restaurant to visit with your partner, Matsumi Seokchon Lake Main Branch will leave your stomach incredibly full and your taste buds very happy! Hahaha.

For a satisfying lunch near Seokchon Gobun Station, be sure to try the combination of Spicy Cheddar Tonkatsu and a cold glass of beer at least once haha.