Tablet-order tonkatsu in Yeonnam-dong, cheese katsu: Katsu Monster

What's the weekday lunch vibe at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch?

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch (카츠몬스터 연남본점) is the tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) spot I went to when I wanted crispy katsu in Yeonnam-dong. Even at weekday lunch, delivery orders kept coming in, so it seems the place is already well known around here. Here's my Yeonnam-dong tonkatsu recommendation!

There are tables outside too, so you can eat out there. If you want tonkatsu with that Yeonnam-dong open-air pub feel, eating outside might not be bad at all.

Is Katsu Monster okay for eating alone?

The inside isn't huge, but I actually like the cozy atmosphere. The tables aren't cramped either, so it's set up in a way that going alone feels totally comfortable.

It really was a good atmosphere for solo diners to eat quietly.

The tidy interior made it easy to focus on the meal, and everything felt well kept. For your bags, there are baskets on the floor so you can store them comfortably.

On the wall you can preview descriptions and the different kinds of katsu. Everything looked so good that choosing was hard.

How ordering works and what's on the table

You order from your seat on a tablet. You can browse the menu with photos and even finish paying on it. I ordered the cheese katsu and the fillet katsu.

I was also happy that every table has sauce, salt and wasabi! It's a hassle to ask for a refill when the sauce runs a bit short, but with it right there on the table you can take as much as you need. Lucky.

Cheese katsu for ₩17,000: how much cheese?

The cheese katsu is listed as 17.0 on the menu (₩17,000). It's described as a 100% handmade cheese tonkatsu with thick, chewy natural mozzarella packed whole into Korean hanDon pork loin.

Honestly, the cheese katsu overwhelms you with its looks. You can see in the photo how much cheese is in there; they really don't skimp.

Doesn't that long cheese pull grab your eyes?! The cheese katsu looks delicious even in photos, but seeing the cheese stretch right in front of you is even more exciting. One bite and the crispy coating is full of rich, nutty cheese. Seriously amazing.

Fillet katsu for ₩16,000: how was the texture?

The fillet katsu (hire katsu) is listed as 16.0 on the menu (₩16,000). It's a lean cut with no fat layer, said to be tender and mild, with plenty of juice and pork aroma.

The tender texture is the best part of the fillet katsu. The meat stayed moist, and as you chew it's soft inside and crispy outside. The coating isn't overly thick either, so it doesn't get in the way of the meat's texture. Personally I liked that the fillet lets you taste the ingredient itself more.

Sharing one cheese katsu and one fillet katsu

We ordered one cheese katsu and one fillet katsu and shared them. Switching back and forth, I never got tired of either and could finish it all. It was just plain delicious.

The rich flavor of the cheese went well with the tonkatsu, and it tasted more nutty than greasy, I'd say? Just look at that cheese oozing out.

Dipped in the sauce, it's fantastic! The doneness was just right, so it was really tender to chew. The outside is fried so crispy that you have to watch the roof of your mouth. It's a crunch you can't imitate at home.

Salad, sauces and seasoning combos

Salad dressing is set out next to the salad, so you can pour it on to taste, which is nice. And of course you can't skip the salad. Crunchy vegetables and a fresh dressing cut the richness for a perfect balance. Thanks to that, I could enjoy the meal to the end without feeling heavy.

I put salt, pepper, shichimi (Japanese chili spice blend) and wasabi on a plate, one of each, and tried them in different ways.

For the fillet katsu, personally the wasabi and salt combo suited it best!

Would I go back to Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch?

Next time I want a hearty meal in Yeonnam-dong, I'd like to visit Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch again~! The cheese katsu is really good, so if you're heading to Yeonnam-dong, definitely try it.