Mangwon-dong tonkatsu with free rice and soup refills: Kitto

I visited Kitto, a tonkatsu specialty restaurant in Mangwon-dong, Mapo. It's near DMC Station so it's easy to get to, and the pairing of tonkatsu with a beer felt perfect for dinner after work.

Where Kitto is in Mangwon-dong, and its opening hours

Kitto is located at 23 Maebongsan-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 1st and 2nd floors, about a 3-minute walk from Digital Media City Station Exit 9. It's open Monday to Friday from 11:10 to 21:00 and Saturday from 12:00 to 21:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00 and last order at 20:00. It's closed every Sunday.

For reservations, I'd recommend checking with the restaurant before you go!

Before the katsu even arrived, it looked prettier than I expected. Rather than just a crispy fried exterior, the inside stays moist and tender.

Special tenderloin katsu vs sirloin katsu: what's the difference?

Special tenderloin katsu at Kitto

Kitto's special tenderloin katsu (teuk-ansim katsu) is full of moist, rosy-pink juices, and the savory flavor bursts in your mouth the moment you bite in. The extreme tenderness unique to tenderloin practically melts away. A light dab of salt or wasabi lets you really taste the clean, deep meaty flavor.

Sirloin katsu at Kitto

The sirloin katsu (deungsim katsu) has thick, well-marbled meat packed inside a golden, crispy coating. The chewier texture and savory fat unique to sirloin come together nicely. Dip it lightly in sauce for a satisfying sweet-and-savory finish.

How to eat it, plus free rice and soup refills

It's nice to try the katsu plain first, then add salt, wasabi, or tonkatsu sauce afterward. Rice, soup, and side dishes can all be refilled, so it's good to know for anyone with a big appetite.

Lemon sherbet after the meal

Right as you finish the meal, a refreshing sherbet arrives to help wrap things up cleanly. Cleansing my palate with the lemon sherbet made the ending feel perfect. Kitto seems like a great spot whether you come for lunch or dinner.

What the name Kitto means, and why the cutlets take 10–15 minutes

I thought the name Kitto sounded kind of cute, and it turns out it comes from the Japanese KITTO (きっと), meaning 'certainly,' combined with KATSU (勝つ), meaning 'to win.' For reference, because the cooking method is low-temperature, it's noted that the food can take about 10–15 minutes to arrive after ordering.

Kitto's full menu and prices

Kitto's other menu offerings are quite varied too.

• Tenderloin katsu
• Sirloin katsu
• Special tenderloin katsu
• Premium sirloin katsu
• Mixed katsu
• Curry
• Fried shrimp, 1 piece
• Extra tenderloin
• Napolitan
• House-made karaage
• Katsu sando
• Cola, zero cola
• Highball, draft beer

Is Kitto good for solo dining? Seats and atmosphere

Near the window at Kitto there are bar-style seats, which looked good for solo diners. The floor-to-ceiling windows also keep the space from feeling cramped.

Soft fabric draped along the ceiling and a cozy wood-tone atmosphere suit the space well. Thanks to the calm, warm interior, it's a great place to enjoy a relaxed meal. The tables are spaced comfortably too, making it a good spot to chat with whoever you're with.

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the katsu shows a high level of craftsmanship. The cozy lighting and stylish interior let you enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere.

There are seats good for two people, as well as seats for larger groups, so it seemed like a good option for a weekday lunch with coworkers or dinner after work.

Kitto in one line

If you're looking for neat, delicious tonkatsu near Mangwon-dong in Mapo, I'd recommend stopping by Kitto.

• About 3-minute walk from DMC Station Exit 9
• Moist, tender tenderloin katsu
• Great for trying with salt, wasabi, and sauce
• Pairs nicely with a beer 🍺
• Comfortable atmosphere for solo dining, dates, or a work meal