Geomdan tonkatsu reservation tips: 5pm slot, Naver mini curry, HOKATSU

A full-on tonkatsu addict has arrived.. 🤪

As usual I was running my Incheon food radar and found a hot tonkatsu spot in Geomdan New Town! I heard it even has a Blue Ribbon mark, so I thought, "No way I'm missing this!" and ran straight over!!!

I got greedy and cleared tonkatsu + gyukatsu (beef cutlet) + ramen all in one go. Here's my honest review!! Let's start ~

HOKATSU location, reservations and the scene right after the 5pm opening

HOKATSU is at 788 Seogot-ro, Unit 128, Geomdan-gu, Incheon, right next to Matgim, where I went before! Truly, this stretch is the go-to for Geomdan meetups..✨

Seeing the Blue Ribbon stuck right on the door got me so excited!!!! ㅠㅠ Like any popular restaurant, it takes bookings through Catch Table!

Tip - Reservations are only possible at the opening times, 11am / 5pm (17:00), so keep that in mind when you plan your visit!!

I arrived at 5pm for the afternoon opening.. and apart from 3 tables it was already full, wow. Being this busy right after opening only raised my expectations, you know?!

HOKATSU parking: check the underground lot first

Ugh, there is a parking lot, but the space is really tight 🥲

Some people parked on the empty lots nearby, but they all got ticketed ㅠㅠ Be careful!!! If you're driving, check the underground lot first, and if it's full, I recommend heading straight to a nearby public parking lot!

Handmade yogurt starter and the Naver mini curry perk

✔️A thoughtful little touch at HOKATSU — you can charge your phone inside!⚡️ And the shop's signature kick! They serve handmade yogurt, and the savory depth is insane..🥹

There's honey at the bottom, so be sure to mix it well! (I wished I could have more haha)

✨Wait, a sweet perk — if you agree to "notifications" when booking on Naver, you get to try a mini curry too! Don't forget to eat the curry ~🍛

What's in HOKATSU's Signature A Set for two (46,000 won)

Signature A Set for two (3 popular katsu + 130g Hogyukatsu + tonkotsu ramen) ₩46,000

Note this!! HOKATSU doesn't fry ahead of time or bread the cutlets in advance. Everything is cooked to order, so expect to wait about 15 minutes on average!!

On top of that, they say the pork is dry-aged in handmade yogurt for a softer, cleaner flavor!! Makes me even more excited to taste it, right?!!

Brazier-grilled Hogyukatsu (beef cutlet)

Brush the pan with butter, then sizzle the meat ~

Even barely cooked, the juices burst out ㅠㅠ The basic sauce is good, but salt + wasabi is seriously the best😭 Mixing all the sauces together is perfect too!!!

Tonkotsu ramen: regular or spicy?

I was craving something spicy that day, but I can't handle heat, so I got scared and ordered the regular, non-spicy ramen🥲

I felt a bit of regret seeing the spicy ramen at the next table.. but the regular ramen's broth was deep and clean, really excellent!!

• Want something bold and spicy? → Go for the spicy ramen!
• Want to taste a deep, clean broth? → Go for the regular ramen!

Three popular katsu compared: cheese, tenderloin and loin

Today's highlight is here!! I ordered the set so I could enjoy several katsu at once!☺️

Cheese katsu

Just gorgeous!! (Yes, I'm a total cheese tonkatsu nerd ~) It's packed with cheese and the nuttiness swirls around your mouth ㅜㅜ Paired with the original tonkatsu sauce, it's the best!👍🏻

Tenderloin katsu

Amazingly, a faint truffle aroma drifts around softly, like a game of push and pull. Maybe that's why the flavor came through much better with plain salt or salt + wasabi.

Loin katsu

The meat feels really solid and full, yet it's not tough at all, just moist and tender!! No wonder.. I can't escape katsu addiction! ㅠㅠ Sauce, salt, wasabi, any combo works, an all-rounder katsu ~

Is the A Set enough for two? Final verdict

I was really happy with a set that lets you taste different kinds of tonkatsu! It's a bit much for two people, but it was so good that we finished everything and I thought my stomach would burst🤣 (Afterwards we took a long walk before heading home haha)

If you're looking for a proper Blue Ribbon tonkatsu & gyukatsu restaurant in Geomdan New Town, don't hesitate, visit HOKATSU ~

HOKATSU location, parking and opening hours at a glance

• 📍Location: 788 Seogot-ro, Unit 128, Geomdan-gu, Incheon, HOKATSU (1098-5 Dangha-dong, Geomdan-gu, Incheon)
• 🅿️Parking: 2 hours free. Follow the road beside the villa behind the Megabox building to the underground lot, and tell the staff your 4-digit plate number for 2 free hours (it's small, so you may have to use a public lot)
• ⏰Hours: Daily (Mon–Sun) 11:00–21:30, last order 15:00 / 21:00, break time 15:30–17:00