Gangdong tonkatsu with Signature Trio and half-and-half fry: Riae

I was craving proper tonkatsu, so after some searching I made my way to Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch, a tonkatsu restaurant near Olympic Park in Gangdong. There were more customers than I expected when I visited — I spotted foreign visitors, families, and couples all eating together. I was happy to be able to try several kinds of Japanese-style tonkatsu in one sitting.

Where is Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch, and when is it open?

• 📍 46 Seongnae-ro 18-gil, 1st floor, Unit 1-1, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🕙 Daily 11:00–20:00 (break time 15:00–16:00)
• 💡 Parking, separate men's/women's restrooms, delivery

Was there a wait at Riae Premium?

I went outside typical lunch hours, so there was no wait for me. That said, the place stayed steadily busy, so I'd recommend booking ahead if you're going during a meal time. Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch is also easy to reach from Olympic Park Station and Dunchon-dong Station, so it's a good stop before or after a walk around the park.

Inside Riae Premium: exterior, atmosphere and seating

Riae is a Japanese-style tonkatsu restaurant run on know-how built up over years of studying tonkatsu. Their philosophy is that tonkatsu isn't just something you fry — it's a balance of good meat, proper aging, and frying technique.

The interior was bright and clean overall. The tables ranged from single seats to tables for four, so it looked comfortable whether you're eating solo, out with family, or on a date. During my visit I saw a real mix of ages enjoying their meals, and foreign customers stood out too.

What is on the Riae Premium menu?

Ordering and payment are done through the tablet on the table.

Riae's menu includes aged tonkatsu along with tenderloin katsu, minced meat katsu (menchi katsu), and more. Enjoying one dish properly is great, but if it's your first visit, I'd say the signature half-and-half combos or the trio menu — where you get to try several things — are a smart pick. Beyond tonkatsu there's also cold soba and curry, so there's plenty of variety.

Signature Trio: tenderloin katsu, menchi katsu and fried shrimp

Since I wanted to try a bit of everything, I ordered both menus as signature half-and-half combos.

The first dish that arrived was the Riae Signature Trio — tenderloin katsu, menchi katsu, and fried shrimp, all on one plate.

Each item came as a single piece, so I liked being able to compare the different textures and flavors side by side.

Which sauces come with the tonkatsu?

One thing I really liked about Riae was the range of sauces served depending on the dish. There was a tangy soy-based sauce, truffle oil, and tartar sauce, so I could mix and match to my taste.

The menchi katsu came with a curry sauce for a different twist, while I paired the tonkatsu with the classic tonkatsu sauce. Even the same fried dish tasted noticeably different depending on the sauce, which made mixing and matching fun.

The sakana (fish) and ebi (shrimp) fry combo

For my second order I got the sakana (fish) and ebi (shrimp) fry combo — three pieces of fried fish and one piece of fried shrimp.

Getting to try crispy fried fish and shrimp together gave a completely different feel from the tonkatsu. Ordering several kinds of fried dishes made the table feel much more abundant, which was satisfying.

The crispy breading was the most memorable part

What I was most impressed by was the crispiness of the breading. With the first bite, the outside stayed crisp and still felt right for each ingredient.

The fried shrimp and fried fish both delivered that same satisfying crunch, and pairing them with tartar sauce worked really well. Sticking to just one menu item might have felt a bit lacking, but ordering several kinds meant I got to enjoy the variety, which I really liked. If you love variety, I'd recommend the Signature Trio or one of the half-and-half combos.

Is Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch worth a visit?

If you're looking for a hearty meal before or after a walk around Olympic Park, Riae Premium — a tonkatsu restaurant near Olympic Park that comes to mind first — is worth a visit. I got to try tenderloin katsu, menchi katsu, fried shrimp, and fried fish, and the crispy breading is what stayed with me most. It's a place I'd recommend for a family meal, a date, or simply a meal after visiting Olympic Park. If, like me, you have trouble choosing just one dish or want to try a bit of everything, I'd recommend the Signature Trio and the half-and-half combo sets.