Jeonpo tonkatsu dinner: Katsu Gimsundo's pork cuts

At around 8 p.m. on Monday, I went to Katsu Gimsundo (카츠김선도) in Jeonpo with my girlfriend for dinner. We visited without a reservation and got in without waiting that day. We ordered a gabi loin set and a tenderloin tonkatsu set, and the rich, savory flavor of the gabi loin, which I was trying for the first time, stayed with me most.

Where is Katsu Gimsundo, and is parking available?

The restaurant is on the first floor of a new building at 16 Seojeon-ro 47beon-gil, in a Jeonpo alley in Busanjin-gu, Busan. We walked there while exploring Jeonpo. Its location also made it easy to look around the nearby alleys or stop by a café after dinner.

There is no dedicated parking lot, and I could not confirm any separate parking support. If you drive, it would be best to look into a nearby public or paid parking lot beforehand.

The hours listed in the original post are 11:30–21:00, with a break from 15:00–17:00 and last order at 20:00. The restaurant is closed every Tuesday, and takeout is available. Check the hours and closing day once more on Naver Map before visiting.

What is the atmosphere like for dinner for two?

The interior was arranged with wooden tables and calm colors. It was clean and comfortable, and the generous spacing between seats kept it from feeling cramped during the meal.

There were counter seats facing the kitchen as well as regular tables. Both solo dining and visits for two looked comfortable, and we found it suitable for a casual dinner date.

Pink salt and pepper were set on the tables, so we could enjoy the tonkatsu with them according to our preference.

What did we order, and how much did it cost?

The menu included loin, tenderloin, half-and-half tonkatsu, the Gimsundo set, and the gabi loin set. Gabi loin is a cut where gabi pork is attached to the loin, and it is a limited menu served in small quantities each day. I was also curious about the Gimsundo set, which lets you try several types at once, but it was already sold out that day, so we could not order it.

That day, we ordered the following:

• Gabi loin set ₩16,000
• Tenderloin tonkatsu set ₩14,000
• One glass of Cass draft beer ₩3,000; we ordered two glasses

Draft beer was ₩3,000 per glass, so it was easy to add to the meal. We ordered two kinds of tonkatsu and two glasses of draft beer, which made a satisfying meal for two.

How long did the food take after ordering?

There was no wait to enter, but the food took about 15–20 minutes to arrive. It seemed they started frying after we ordered, and the tonkatsu came out freshly fried. We were happy to wait at a relaxed pace, but if you need to finish a meal quickly, it is worth allowing for the cooking time.

How did the gabi loin and tenderloin differ?

What were the gabi loin's texture and flavor like?

The gabi loin set I ordered was ₩16,000. The tonkatsu came as a set with rice, soup, cabbage salad, pickles, and sauce.

It was my first time trying gabi loin, and it had a deep, savory richness with plenty of moisture left in the meat. I could taste both the flavor of the loin and the nuttier richness of the gabi portion.

Although it was thick, it was not tough and had a tender texture. I also liked the contrast between the crisp breading and moist meat. Of the two dishes we had that day, the gabi loin suited my taste better. It is a limited-quantity menu, though, so it may sell out.

Was the tenderloin tonkatsu mild and tender?

My girlfriend ordered the ₩14,000 tenderloin tonkatsu set. It came in rounded, thick pieces, and the inside was moist and tender when I tried it.

Where the gabi loin stood out for its rich savoriness and juiciness, the tenderloin was mild and easy to eat. My girlfriend also enjoyed it and ate well.

Since the two dishes tasted different, ordering one of each and sharing would work well. If you like a rich, savory flavor, the gabi loin may suit you; if you prefer a leaner and softer cut, the tenderloin may be a better fit.

What went well with the tonkatsu?

At first, I ate it with pink salt and fresh wasabi. This let me taste the meat's own richness and juiciness, and it paired especially well with the gabi loin.

Next, I mixed mustard and wasabi into the tonkatsu sauce and dipped the meat in it. The slightly sweet sauce gained a sharp flavor that helped cut through the richness. When I wanted to taste the meat first, salt and fresh wasabi worked well; when I wanted something deeper and sharper, I preferred the sauce combination.

Were the set meal and portion enough?

The tonkatsu came with rice, soup, cabbage salad, and pickles, so the meal felt complete. There was also plenty of cabbage to eat between bites of tonkatsu.

The tonkatsu was thick, and eating it with the standard sides left me quite full. The portion was not small for me, and my girlfriend also finished the meal feeling satisfied.

Considering the flavor and portion we had that day, I felt that the ₩16,000 gabi loin set and ₩14,000 tenderloin set were reasonable prices.

What was disappointing, and why would I return?

It was disappointing that there was no dedicated parking lot and that the Gimsundo set I was curious about was sold out. The food also took about 15–20 minutes after ordering.

Still, the comfortable spacing between seats and the gabi loin's rich savoriness and tender texture stayed with me, so I would like to return. Next time, I want to go a little earlier and try the Gimsundo set. Like us, you could also pair the meal with a date exploring Jeonpo's alleys and café street afterward.