Tonkatsu near Bulgwang Station: solo cold udon set, Insaeng Donkatsu

Why tonkatsu for a solo dinner near Bulgwang Station?

For a weekday-evening solo meal, I headed to Insaeng Donkatsu Bulgwang branch (인생돈카츠 불광본점), near NC Department Store by Bulgwang Station in Eunpyeong. When I eat alone, my mind often goes straight to tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet). There are plenty of great solo-meal options out there, but somehow it's always tonkatsu that comes to mind.

Tonkatsu runs from old-style Western-diner versions to Japanese-style ones, and you can pick the cut of pork and the sides, so it's easy to choose what you feel like eating that day. It also fills you up with protein and carbs, which is a big part of the appeal. So the place I want to introduce this time is Insaeng Donkatsu Bulgwang branch, near NC Department Store by Bulgwang Station in Eunpyeong!

Insaeng Donkatsu Bulgwang branch: location and opening hours

• Location: 12-10 Tongil-ro 65-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, 1st floor
• Hours: 10:20 AM – 9:00 PM
• Parking: Not available

Insaeng Donkatsu Bulgwang branch is near Exit 4 of Bulgwang Station, behind NC Department Store. It's a fairly large two-story restaurant, neatly divided: the 1st floor is for ordering and takeout, and the 2nd floor is for eating.

Ordering on the 1st floor, with takeout available

The 1st floor is where you choose your menu and order. You can take your food out or eat in the restaurant.

I didn't know this, but Insaeng Donkatsu Bulgwang branch holds a number of certifications, including Recognized Store, Good Restaurant, Model Restaurant, and Win-Win Store. It seems they don't just sell tonkatsu but also take part in various community activities.

Self-service dining on the 2nd floor, with phone chargers

The 2nd floor is the dining area. You serve yourself and clear your own table, and even so, the place was kept nice and clean.

There are also chargers with phone stands here and there around the restaurant, so it's thoughtful for anyone who wants to watch YouTube while eating.

Insaeng Donkatsu menu: lunchboxes and rice bowls

Insaeng Donkatsu Bulgwang branch sells a variety of dishes, mainly lunchboxes and rice bowls (donburi).

What comes in the tonkatsu and cold udon set?

I ordered the tonkatsu and cold udon set, and it came with a very generous choice of sauces: salt, wasabi, and two kinds of tonkatsu sauce. Since it comes as a lunchbox, it's easy to take away, and it was very easy to clear up after eating in the restaurant.

Maybe because it feels a little like an unmanned shop, there was no pressure at all about sitting quietly and eating alone.

Two-pork tonkatsu that needs only salt or wasabi

The tonkatsu here mixes two kinds of meat inside, which seemed to nail both texture and flavor. Even with no sauce, just wasabi or salt, you could taste the meat, so it's well made.

Cold udon that's more than a side dish

When eating only tonkatsu gets a bit dull, having the cold udon (thick wheat noodles) alongside made it feel like a properly nice meal. It wasn't a half-hearted side: rich cold udon broth and springy noodles made it a fully satisfying side dish.

Worth a return for a solo dinner or takeout in Bulgwang?

I was very happy with my weekday-evening meal at Insaeng Donkatsu Bulgwang branch. The food came out quickly, and because you can see what you're getting on the 1st floor, I trusted the food even more.

It's great for eating alone, and as a lunchbox it's super easy to take home on the way back, so I think I'd use it often when I have no dinner plan after work. Both the taste and the price were good. If you're visiting NC Department Store or passing Bulgwang Station, it's worth stopping by for lunch or dinner.