Sweet potato cheese katsu with mini udon set at Iksan's Wonkwang Katsu

Wonkwang Katsu in Iksan: hours and where to park

Wonkwang Katsu Iksan Wonkwang University branch is a tonkatsu restaurant right in front of Wonkwang University in Iksan, open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. Break time runs 15:00–16:30, and last order is at 19:40.

Since I was already in Iksan, I wanted a good lunch, and while looking around I found that Wonkwang Katsu Iksan Wonkwang University branch was famous as an Iksan tonkatsu favorite, so I decided to visit. There turned out to be tons of parking. The east gate lot in front of Wonkwang University's culture and sports center, just 3 minutes away, offers free parking 24/7 year-round, and Bugil Elementary School, 1 minute away, also has an open free parking lot. On top of that, you can apparently park along the white line right in front of the restaurant.

What is a weekday lunch like at Wonkwang Katsu?

I visited on a weekday for lunch and there were so many customers! Since it's right in front of Wonkwang University, I expected mostly students, but there were more family groups than I thought. I guess weekdays bring in Wonkwang University students, and weekends bring in families.

The self-bar: pickles, kkakdugi and free soup

Wonkwang Katsu Iksan Wonkwang University branch, an Iksan tonkatsu favorite, has a self-bar. Here you can take as much as you want of side dishes that pair well with tonkatsu, like pickled radish, pickles, and kkakdugi. Best of all, there's also soup!! It was warm, smooth, rich and so tasty. Dipping the katsu into the soup is one of my own favorite ways to eat it.

Ordering cheese katsu and the sweet potato cheese katsu + udon set

The dishes we ordered arrived. Here's what we got:

• Cheese katsu
• Sweet potato cheese katsu + udon

That's the lineup.

How is the cheese katsu?

They say the cheese katsu is the textbook example of cheese katsu, backed by a one-track tonkatsu career going back to 2006. Can you see it?? That cheese pull? The katsu is packed with cheese inside, and there's no way that isn't delicious. It's crispy on the outside but full of nutty, soft cheese — so good.

Sweet potato cheese katsu with mini udon

Sweet potato cheese katsu and udon set.

The udon (Japanese-style wheat noodle soup) portion was bigger than I expected, too. Even in the mini size, it was pretty filling. The flavor and size were just right to pair with the katsu.

Wasabi or salt: the best way to eat the katsu

Putting wasabi on the katsu cuts through the greasiness completely and gives it a refreshing kick. I think katsu and wasabi is the best combination. For a cleaner bite, go with salt! The saltiness pairs well with the cheese too, and it let me taste the nutty flavor and the katsu itself even more clearly.

Would I go back to Wonkwang Katsu?

I left feeling completely full, and it looked like Wonkwang Katsu Iksan Wonkwang University branch was running several events. It seems like a great place to eat well and join in on the events too. The staff and the owner were all kind, and the restaurant was clean and pleasant, so if you're looking for a great tonkatsu spot or just a great meal in Iksan, I recommend Wonkwang Katsu Iksan Wonkwang University branch.