Summer tonkatsu and icy cold soba in Yangjae-dong: Yangjae Katsu

Where is Yangjae Katsu and when is it open?

Yangjae Katsu is a tonkatsu restaurant at 1F, 56 Nonhyeon-ro 31-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, about 650m from Exit 8 of Yangjae Station (Line 3, Sinbundang Line). It's open 11:00–21:00, with last order at 20:30. Wi-Fi is available and takeout is possible.

A "life katsu" found while searching for Yangjae-dong tonkatsu

For a few days I had been craving crispy tonkatsu. So I searched for good tonkatsu in Yangjae-dong and found Yangjae Katsu (양재카츠), and went. I like tonkatsu and have been to just about every decent place, but Yangjae Katsu was so satisfying that I'd honestly call it my life katsu.

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

The interior is clean and modern, and the warm lighting makes it feel cozy. The tables are spaced widely, so I could eat comfortably. The menu had lots of tonkatsu options, and after some deliberating I ordered the most popular one, plus cold soba, which suits a brutally hot summer like this.

What did I order? Two hire katsu, cheese katsu and cold soba

I ordered two hire katsu, a cheese katsu and cold soba (naengmomil), a nicely balanced spread. I also joined the review event and got a curry, and it was packed with minced meat and so good!

How was the hire katsu at Yangjae Katsu?

The main katsu looked amazing, with thick meat and a crispy-looking coating. The moment I bit in, the crunch of the coating came with a mouthful of juicy meat. The pink cross-section seemed to show how fresh the pork was, and I was already marveling before the first bite.

Why you should order cold soba with it in summer

The cold soba came in a broth floating with ice shards, topped with plenty of seaweed flakes and scallions. It cooled me down just by looking at it, and it was better than I expected. Enjoying the crunchy katsu and then taking a bite of cold soba cleans up your mouth perfectly, the best combination.

I especially loved the salt and wasabi that come with the katsu, plus the tidy side dishes and the soba broth. The salad had a generous, moist dressing and was so good that I finished every bit.

Service and overall impression of Yangjae Katsu

It's not only the food; the service was really kind too. The staff greeted us with smiles every time, so the meal felt pleasant, and the neatly arranged set made me feel well looked after. Above all, I was impressed by the cooking style that brings out the natural flavor of the ingredients.

Overall, Yangjae Katsu was satisfying in both food and atmosphere. It seems perfect for anyone stuck deciding on lunch near Yangjae Station. I don't think I'll ever forget the crunch of the katsu and the juicy meat.

Good for a solo meal or after a walk along Yangjaecheon?

It looked good for eating alone too, and I think it's a no-regrets choice for office workers nearby or anyone wanting a hearty meal after a walk along Yangjaecheon (stream). Looking around again as I left, the tidy atmosphere of Yangjae Katsu stayed with me. Good food puts me in a good mood, and today was exactly that kind of day.

In an area with so many restaurants, I was really proud to find a place that sticks to the basics and serves clean, well-made food. I ended the meal already planning to come back, and I want to try the other dishes I missed today. If you're looking for a tonkatsu place in Yangjae that won't let you down, definitely stop by. I recommend Yangjae Katsu~~