Split-egg mix katsu-don at a Yeonnam-dong donburi bar: Jongno Donburi
In short
Jongno Donburi Yeonnam is a Japanese rice bowl (donburi) restaurant on the basement floor of 9 Donggyo-ro 46-gil in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station, opened by the donburi restaurant long loved in Jongno. Eating alone at the bar table, the writer ordered the mix katsu-don, where the egg white sits on the cutlet and the yolk on the rice — an unusual pairing — and finished the rich soup served before the main even arrived. Jongno Donburi Yeonnam is a good pick when you want a calm room and a generous rice bowl that is not too salty.
Good to know
- Location
- 9 Donggyo-ro 46-gil, B1, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Hongik Univ. Station, Yeonnam-dong)
- Ordered
- Mix katsu-don (shrimp tempura + pork cutlet)
- Seating
- Tables for two and four, plus a bar (counter) table that is good for solo dining
- Visit tip
- Book on Naver and visit by September 30 to earn 1,000 won, plus another 1,000 won for writing a review (2,000 won total)
- Complimentary
- Barley tea and a soup served before the main dish
- Price reference
- ₩1,000 ≈ $0.7 · ₩2,000 ≈ $1.4 (2026-09-20)
as written by the visitor on Sep 19, 2026
I heard the donburi restaurant that's been loved in Jongno for a long time opened a branch in Yeonnam-dong! I love Japanese rice bowls, so while looking for good Japanese food near Hongik Univ. Station, I stopped by.
The place I'm introducing today is 'Jongno Donburi Yeonnam'~!
Where is Jongno Donburi Yeonnam, and what should you know before going?
Jongno Donburi Yeonnam is on the basement level (B1) at 9 Donggyo-ro 46-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, in Yeonnam-dong close to Hongik Univ. Station. One tip: book through Naver Reservation and visit by September 30 to earn ₩1,000 in points~
Writing a review earns another ₩1,000, so you can get ₩2,000 total — worth keeping in mind.
What does the basement entrance look like?
From the entrance alone, Jongno Donburi Yeonnam felt clean and stylish.
The soft lighting spills out gently, so I imagine it feels even better at dinner time.
There's also a menu board outside~~
Inside Jongno Donburi Yeonnam
The interior was just as well-designed as the exterior. The wood-toned tables and chairs gave it a comfortable feel.
Along with 2-top and 4-top tables, there's a bar table that's great for solo dining. It's a calm, cozy atmosphere whether you come alone, with friends, a partner, or family.
The staff greeted me kindly too, so I settled in comfortably. Even the restroom had a nice vibe~~
What's on the menu at Jongno Donburi Yeonnam?
This place specializes in various Japanese rice bowls. From sake-don (aged salmon bowl) to thick katsu-don, the menu had a wide range of options.
Today's order: the mix katsu-don
Since I wanted to try both kinds of tempura, I went with the mix katsu-don, which comes with both shrimp tempura and pork cutlet.
Bar table setting and the soup served first
Once you sit at the bar table, this is the setup you see. Barley tea is love❤️
The soup served before the main dish was really impressive.
It was so rich that I finished it before the rice bowl even arrived.
How does the mix katsu-don taste?
The mix katsu-don's hearty presentation was satisfying. The combo of egg white on the cutlet and yolk on the rice was pretty unique.
The shrimp was thick too! Just one piece, but it felt substantial.
The soy-pickled onions layered under the rice kept the umami going till the last bite.
The portion was almost too much, and the seasoning wasn't salty at all — just right.
Is Jongno Donburi Yeonnam worth it for solo dining?
★★★★★ (5.0 / 5.0)
Enjoying a tasty rice bowl in a calm atmosphere made for a satisfying visit. Next time, I definitely want to try the sake-don too. 😉 If you're craving good Japanese rice bowls in Yeonnam-dong, definitely check this place out!❤️
Where it is
9 Donggyo-ro 46-gil, B1, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 마포구 동교로46길 9 B1
