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

- By Ari (https://superchart.com/en/@paper-bag-bowl/)
- Written Sep 16, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This post was written after a sponsored visit to the restaurant.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@paper-bag-bowl/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@paper-bag-bowl/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/index.md)

## In short

Kitto is a Japanese katsu restaurant in Mangwon-dong, Mapo in Seoul, about a 3-minute walk from Digital Media City Station Exit 9. At Kitto the special tenderloin katsu and the sirloin katsu are served with salt, wasabi and tonkatsu sauce, rice, soup and side dishes come with free refills, and a lemon sherbet closes the meal. The low-temperature cooking means a 10–15 minute wait, but with window bar seats and group tables Kitto suits solo diners, dates and after-work dinners alike.

## Good to know

- **Location**: 23 Maebongsan-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st and 2nd floors)
- **Getting there**: About a 3-minute walk from Digital Media City Station Exit 9
- **Hours**: Mon–Fri 11:10–21:00, Sat 12:00–21:00
- **Break time**: 15:00–17:00
- **Last order**: 20:00
- **Closed**: Every Sunday
- **Refills**: Rice, soup and side dishes are refillable
- **Wait time**: About 10–15 minutes after ordering, due to low-temperature cooking
- **Seating**: Window bar seats, tables for two, larger group tables
- **Menu lineup**: Tenderloin katsu, sirloin katsu, special tenderloin katsu, premium sirloin katsu, mixed katsu, curry, fried shrimp (1 pc), extra tenderloin, napolitan, house-made karaage, katsu sando, cola, zero cola, highball, draft beer

*as written by the visitor on Sep 16, 2026*

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!

![Kitto katsu set meal table setting](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-01-1h1hy-900.webp)

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

![Cross-section of Kitto's tonkatsu showing a moist interior](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-02-1snwf-1200.webp)

## 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.

![Special tenderloin katsu with rosy-pink juices](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-03-1pqn3-900.webp)

![A piece of special tenderloin katsu topped with salt and wasabi](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-04-1xh2y-900.webp)

### 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.

![Thick sirloin katsu with a crispy coating](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-05-8wzv6-900.webp)

![Sirloin katsu dipped in tonkatsu sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-06-n5rcm-900.webp)

## 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.

![Katsu set meal served with rice and soup](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-07-lxbux-900.webp)

### 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.

![Lemon sherbet served after the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-08-1908u-900.webp)

![Refreshing sherbet dessert for a clean finish](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-09-8j9l8-900.webp)

![Table with the finishing dessert](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-10-1iby7-900.webp)

## 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.

![Sign at Kitto restaurant](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-11-ze9j6-900.webp)

![Sign explaining Kitto's low-temperature cooking method](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-12-1af7m-900.webp)

![Kitto's menu board](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-13-ex5ao-900.webp)

![Chart of Kitto's katsu menu options](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-14-n2whs-900.webp)

![Kitto menu listing drinks and alcohol](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-15-1fbnk-900.webp)

## 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

![Window bar seats next to the floor-to-ceiling glass](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-16-11dbh-900.webp)

## 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.

![Kitto's interior with fabric ceiling decor and wood tones](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-17-gchup-900.webp)

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.

![Kitto's dining hall with generously spaced tables](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-18-1pvd9-900.webp)

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.

![Interior of Kitto under cozy lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-19-1tyap-900.webp)

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 seating with tables for two and larger groups](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-20-9ax95-863.webp)

![Exterior view of Kitto restaurant](https://img.superchart.com/images/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin/kitto-mangwon-dmc-tonkatsu-tenderloin-loin-21-2tuqz-900.webp)

## 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

## Where it is

- Kitto (킷토)
- 23 Maebongsan-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 마포구 매봉산로2길 23 1,2층
- 37.5782071, 126.8952444
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%ED%82%B7%ED%86%A0/@37.5782071,126.8952444,17z

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