Magok tonkatsu 3 ways: salt, wasabi & sauce on tenderloin, Katsuryun

You know those days in Magok when you wonder what to have for lunch and don't want to settle for something boring again, haha? I found the perfect place for that. Today's spot is the Magok tonkatsu restaurant Katsuryun (카츠륜)!

What's the atmosphere at Katsuryun like? Is it okay for eating alone?

Katsuryun sits right on the lunch route of Magok office workers, so it's quite easy to get to. The first thing I felt when I walked in was "nice atmosphere" haha.

Big windows show the outside, and with the leafy green trees it feels oddly healing even though you're in the city. Eating alone is easy too. The tables aren't crammed together and the mood is quiet, so there's no pressure at all about coming solo.

At lunchtime you actually see quite a few office workers who came alone. So it's perfect when you're busy but still want a quality meal on your own haha.

Overall it's quiet and cozy, great for a short breather at lunchtime.

What did I order at Katsuryun?

After some thought I ordered tenderloin, sirloin and draft beer. With that combo, you're done haha.

Katsuryun sirloin tonkatsu

First, the sirloin katsu: one bite and I thought, "good quality meat!" The plating is neat too, so you feel good before you even eat. The cutlet slices come out evenly spaced and the cabbage salad is fresh, so everything feels well put together.

The salad dressing in particular isn't heavy (it was a yuja citron sauce), so it's no burden eaten alongside the tonkatsu and works nicely as a palate cleanser in between.

No gamey smell at all, clean-tasting yet still juicy. Crispy outside, moist inside, and well balanced overall.

It feels true to the basics, and I understood why Katsuryun gets recommended as a tonkatsu lunch for Magok office workers.

Wow, this finished at this price? (I attached the menu and prices at the very bottom of the post.)

How should you dip the tonkatsu at Katsuryun?

You can eat Katsuryun's tonkatsu three ways, with salt, wasabi or tonkatsu sauce, which made it more fun. With just salt, the natural flavor of the meat really comes alive. I recommend it to anyone who likes a clean, light taste.

With wasabi on top, a slight kick rises up and cuts the richness, so you keep eating. This pairing really works.

Lastly, the tonkatsu sauce is sweet and savory, the most crowd-pleasing style. Eating it all three ways, you never get tired of it and enjoy it to the end.

Does the draft beer at Katsuryun go with tonkatsu?

The real surprise at Katsuryun was the draft beer. I didn't expect much from a tonkatsu place, but why is this so good? It's really cold and clean, and a great match for tonkatsu. One bite, one sip, and the combo is complete haha.

So if you come to Katsuryun in Magok, definitely have a draft beer too. The price is better than I expected, so it's no burden for a work lunch, and it's nice when you want to treat yourself now and then.

Tenderloin or sirloin: which do I recommend at Katsuryun?

I really recommend the Katsuryun tenderloin!!!!!!!!! It's softer than the sirloin and the juiciness is insane. It melts the moment it hits your mouth.

The rice and soup are also better than basic, so it feels like a complete meal. These little details add up and raise the overall satisfaction.

It's seriously juicy, but juicy alone isn't everything: too much juice can get greasy or soggy, so balancing that is the key, and

Katsuryun must be a true tonkatsu master. It's so exquisitely delicious... Personally I was more satisfied with the tenderloin than the sirloin. So for first-timers, I recommend going with the tenderloin!!!

Katsuryun at a glance

The atmosphere is good enough even for eating alone, so I'd definitely come back.

• Atmosphere: big-window view + quiet space, a healing feel
• Taste: sirloin has solid basics, tenderloin is the juiciest, and the taste was so moving I was surprised

This isn't just a tonkatsu place for a quick lunch. It's a katsu spot that really does tonkatsu properly. So good. Go when you want quality tonkatsu at lunch, or a choice that won't fail you! Add it to your Magok office lunch list haha. I strongly recommend it as a Magok lunch. Please try it.