Hongdae pork cutlet restaurant for triple katsu: Katsu Monster

I had an errand nearby, so I stopped by Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a great restaurant in Hongdae. It is a pork cutlet spot tucked among Yeonnam-dong’s characterful little side streets :)”

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch: Location and Hours

⏰ Hours | 10:00–23:00 (until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays) ✔️ Last order | Up to 30 minutes before closing 📍 Location | 1F, 42-6 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

A Yeonnam-dong Pork Cutlet Spot for Dates and Solo Meals

Katsu Monster is a fantastic Hongdae pork cutlet restaurant with warm wood-toned interiors and modern lighting that feel both cozy and polished!! Its two- and four-person tables are generously arranged, making it just right for a date or a small get-together with friends. The tables are suitably spaced apart, and the outdoor terrace gives the room an airy feel too, which I loved.

There is bar seating too, so anyone who has felt awkward about eating alone in Yeonnam-dong can enjoy a solo meal comfortably haha.

There are all sorts of sauces ready on the table, so just enjoy them however you like.

Katsu Monster Menu

• [Pork cutlets] Loin katsu, tenderloin katsu, premium loin katsu, cheese katsu, assorted katsu (loin + tenderloin), Mix Katsu A (loin + cheese), Mix Katsu B (tenderloin + cheese), Triple Katsu (loin + tenderloin + cheese)
• [Noodles/rice] Cold soba, cold udon, spicy fish cake udon, bonito fish cake udon, kimchi katsu nabe, pork cutlet curry rice/udon, chicken curry rice/udon
• [Sides] Chicken karaage, menchi katsu, spicy curry

A Solo Set with Triple Katsu and Cold Udon

One huge advantage of Katsu Monster is its varied lineup, from individual katsu dishes to great-value set meals. This time, I ordered the “solo set,” which lets you try Katsu Monster’s signature katsu lineup in one colorful spread :) I chose triple katsu and cold udon for my solo set. It seems like such a great choice when you are really hungry or have a big appetite.

This is the set, haha.

Loin, Tenderloin, and Cheese Katsu

Triple katsu comes with loin katsu, tenderloin katsu, and cheese katsu.

The nutty, savory flavor of the cheese worked beautifully with the richness of the meat, making both the texture and flavor excellent. Since the cheese can firm up once it cools, I recommend eating this one first :)”

The more I chewed, the more the loin’s characteristic springy texture and nutty flavor filled my mouth. Lean meat alone can be a little dry, but the flavorful fat balanced it out and made it even more delicious.

There was no off smell at all, and I could really taste the tenderloin’s clean, deep meatiness.

Cold Udon That Was Chewier Than Expected

Honestly, I was not expecting that much, but it was wonderfully chewy. The broth was also clean and refreshing, creating the perfect balance by cutting through the richness of the fried food :)”

The doenjang-guk (soybean paste soup) was another memorable part! They even put meat in it. A lot of pork cutlet places serve soup without much in it, but they were wonderfully generous with the ingredients here.

There was even yanggaeng (sweet red bean jelly) for dessert at the end! The owner thoughtfully took care of every detail through to the finish :) It was such a fun, varied meal, haha. Highly, highly recommended for solo meals or dates around Hongdae and Yeonnam!