Euljiro-ipgu tonkatsu restaurant: 19,000-won mixed katsu, Hunta

Lunchtime tonkatsu at Hunta Euljiro near Euljiro-ipgu Station

Hey everyone!! :D Today I finally made it to Hunta Euljiro near Euljiro-ipgu Station for lunch! Ever since I searched for restaurants near Euljiro-ipgu Station and kept hearing this was THE tonkatsu spot in Euljiro, I'd been dying to try it! It happened to be lunchtime too, so it felt like the perfect Euljiro lunch spot, and I walked in with my heart racing!

The tonkatsu I ordered finally arrived, and the visual alone was overwhelming! The golden batter, crispy outside and moist inside, looked absolutely delicious! The moment I bit into the loin katsu, the meat's juices spread through my mouth — no dryness at all, just a soft, wonderful bite! Zero greasiness, just a savory flavor that kept me reaching for more! The freshness and quality of the pork itself really came through in the taste!

The refreshing salad dressing that came with it, plus the side dishes of kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and miso soup, all paired beautifully with the main dish so I never got tired of it! The glossy rice was also a perfect match with the tonkatsu!

The inside of the restaurant was clean and cozy, making for a comfortable meal! Even though it was a busy lunch crowd, the staff were friendly and attentive, which made the whole meal pleasant! I was impressed by how organized the service stayed even during the rush! I could totally see why so many people consider this a top lunch spot in Euljiro!

Thanks to the delicious tonkatsu, I had a really satisfying lunch! Hunta Euljiro truly lives up to its reputation as a must-visit restaurant near Euljiro-ipgu Station and a genuine Euljiro tonkatsu favorite! Next time I'm craving tonkatsu in Euljiro, I'm definitely coming back! Highly recommend giving it a try!

Hunta Euljiro hours and how to find it

• Hours: Weekdays 11:00–20:30
• Closed weekends
• Location: 106, 1F Fastfive, 24 Namdaemun-ro 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

What the Hunta Euljiro entrance looks like

Arriving at Hunta Euljiro, the clean exterior caught my eye first! The black-framed floor-to-ceiling windows gave off such a modern vibe! You could peek inside a little, so it looked like it would stay comfortable even during the busy lunch rush! I liked that the business hours and break time were clearly posted next to the door too!

The menu photos visible through the glass looked so appetizing! As you'd expect from a top Euljiro tonkatsu restaurant, the katsu dishes really caught my attention! Next to the door was a standing sign for the Hunta pork cutlet and kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) set! The neatly plated tonkatsu and kimchi jjigae combo looked really filling! A solid, satisfying lunch option near Euljiro-ipgu Station!

Inside Hunta Euljiro: tablet ordering and solo bar seats

Opening the door, a modern yet cozy space unfolded! The dark-toned tables and chairs added a clean feel overall! Wooden pendant lamps scattered around created a warm atmosphere! Ordering was easy with the tablet installed at each table!

There were also plenty of bar table seats, great for solo dining! I could see the open kitchen further in, which added to my trust in the place! The window-side bench seating felt open and airy! It seemed like you could eat comfortably even during peak lunch hours! You could really tell they put thought into the interior, as befits a top restaurant near Euljiro-ipgu Station!

Window bench seats and how the table supplies are kept

Stepping inside, the warm yet stylish interior caught my eye! The table seats with a clear view of the outside would be great for group visits! Since it was daytime, sunlight filled the space and made the whole restaurant feel even brighter! There were also neatly arranged bar seats for solo diners!

I liked that each table had a tablet for easy ordering! The basic supplies — water bottles, cups, tissues — were all kept neat and tidy! Efficient, comfortable use of space, just as you'd expect from a top Euljiro lunch spot! It felt like you could eat comfortably no matter where you sat! Overall it gave off a really clean, well-managed impression!

What I ordered: 19,000-won mixed katsu plus loin and chicken add-ons

• Mixed katsu ₩19,000
• Loin katsu add-on ₩4,000
• Chicken katsu add-on ₩4,000

The mixed katsu set finally landed on the table! I was surprised by how generously packed the whole spread was! Plates full of tonkatsu in different forms greeted me! The loin katsu in particular had such a moist, pink center — it looked amazing! It seemed like it would be crispy outside and tender inside! On top of the cheese katsu, melted cheese oozed out generously — such a happy sight! Even a sprinkle of parsley flakes made it look even better!

The fresh cabbage salad, hot miso soup, and glossy rice rounded it out perfectly! With tonkatsu sauce, wasabi, and salt all on the table, I could season it however I liked! The kkakdugi came along too, perfect for alternating bites with the katsu! A hearty spread that lived up to being a top Euljiro lunch spot!

The freshly fried katsu pieces looked crispy at first glance! The loin katsu was perfectly cooked with a bright pink color! It was sliced into easy bite-sized pieces! The round cheese katsu had melted cheese inside that built up anticipation! The mound of cabbage salad on the side of the plate looked like it would add a nice tang! The tonkatsu sauce and fine salt for dipping were neatly arranged too! There was even another little dish of sauce, so I could enjoy a variety of flavors! I especially loved being able to try the katsu in so many different combinations!

Cheese katsu cross-section and the side dishes

I was especially curious about the inside of the thickly rolled cheese katsu! Underneath the crispy batter was a soft, cheesy filling packed all the way through! The sprinkle of parsley on top added a fresh accent! The sauces and side dishes next to it were also neatly arranged! Spicy kkakdugi, the basic tonkatsu sauce, and clean salt too! I really liked being able to mix and match flavors to my own taste!

How was the extra chicken katsu?

Picking up a piece of chicken katsu with my chopsticks, I could feel the crispy batter and the thick meat inside right away! The cross-section showed pale meat and pink-tinged flesh blending together, looking even more delicious! The outside was fried to a golden color, and the inside seemed to hold plenty of juicy moisture! Dipping it deep into the special sauce that came with it made the savory flavor even richer! The pink loin katsu visible in the background also looked like it would be so tender!

The katsu on the main plate also had that lively, generous look to the batter! The moment I bit in, the juiciness of the meat and the crispness of the batter were fantastic together! It felt like the freshness of the meat met great frying technique to deliver the best possible flavor! I could immediately see why this place has such a strong reputation as a top Euljiro tonkatsu restaurant!

Changing the flavor with gaba pepper and shichimi

Gaba pepper was provided to boost the tonkatsu's flavor even more! There was something fun about sprinkling the pepper myself over the freshly fried, still-warm tonkatsu! As the pepper scattered over it, a savory aroma seemed to brush past my nose! The sharp kick of the pepper on top of the moist meat and crispy batter made me even more excited to eat! The mound of refreshing cabbage salad on the side was great for whetting the appetite too! Adding the crunchy kkakdugi meant I could keep enjoying the tonkatsu without ever getting tired of it! You could really feel the attention to small details, just as you'd expect from a top spot near Euljiro-ipgu Station! I loved the thoughtfulness behind letting you enjoy freshly made tonkatsu in so many different ways!

Splitting the golden-fried tonkatsu in half revealed the beautifully cooked pink center! That perfect doneness was truly a work of art! I got to experience the juices of the thick, tender loin spreading through my mouth! The cheese katsu that came with it was also packed with savory cheese inside — absolutely dreamy!

One secret to enjoying it deliciously all the way to the end without ever getting tired of it was this shichimi! Sprinkling the shichimi provided at each table added a whole new layer of enjoyment! Beyond the basic sauce, being able to enjoy such varied flavors with this special seasoning made the meal even more satisfying! Thanks to food made with real care and thoughtful little touches, it was such a happy meal!

If you're looking for a restaurant near Euljiro-ipgu Station, you have to try Hunta! I really want to come back — it's seriously the best!