Kid-friendly pork cutlet spot in Cheomdan, Gwangju: Filling Donkatsu

Filling is my go-to donkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) spot near Cheomdan since it's close to home. I've been a regular for almost 5 years now haha. Whenever I want donkatsu in Cheomdan, this is basically the only place I go.

Once you find a place you really like, you sometimes think about trying somewhere new, but there's just no substitute for Filling in Cheomdan lol. It's genuinely a great restaurant to visit with kids in Cheomdan. It was also recently selected for a 'top donkatsu spots' list — it's the real deal.

Where is Filling Donkatsu Gwangju Cheomdan, and what are its hours?

Filling Donkatsu Gwangju Cheomdan Direct Store is at 43-10 Cheomdan-gwagi-ro 208beon-gil, Building A, 2F, Unit 207, Buk-gu, Gwangju, and it's open 11:00-20:30. There might be a wait on weekends.

• Address: 43-10 Cheomdan-gwagi-ro 208beon-gil, Building A, 2F, Unit 207, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
• Hours: 11:00 - 20:30 / Closed every Monday
• Break time: 15:00 - 17:00
• Last order: 14:30, 20:00
• Parking available
• Baby chairs available

How big is the dining room at Filling Donkatsu Cheomdan?

Is there a private room for families with kids?

The interior of Filling Donkatsu Cheomdan Direct Store is quite spacious. There's a room in the back too, so I'd recommend it for a Cheomdan lunch spot, a Cheomdan dining-out spot, or even a Cheomdan work dinner. You order via kiosk, and there are chairs for kids.

What's on the Filling Donkatsu self bar?

One reason I love this Cheomdan donkatsu spot: the self bar is seriously so well stocked,,, soup, vegetables, kimchi, pickles, rice, broth, toast, ice cream, even a coffee machine — such a perfect salad bar, I'm like, is it even allowed for a donkatsu place to have a self bar this good,,,

The three dishes ordered on this visit

Here's the menu at Filling Donkatsu, the go-to donkatsu spot in Cheomdan, Gwangju. There are various sets, so I'd recommend ordering a set for a better price. This time we ordered the 200-hour tenderloin katsu, half handmade donkatsu, and mushroom cream pasta, and all three were genuinely so good, highly recommend,,,,,, the tenderloin katsu and the mushroom pasta are must-orders for real.

Cleansing our palate with soup and salad while we wait haha. Am I the only one who feels like something's missing if I go for donkatsu and don't have soup,,haha,haha

Mushroom cream pasta: rich cream with rigatoni

Wow,, this is the best rigatoni pasta I've had in a while, the mushroom cream pasta. Honestly I didn't expect much since it's known as a donkatsu place, but it was so good ㅡㅡ hahahaha the cream sauce is genuinely rich and pairs so well with the button mushrooms

I'm o b s e s s e d

The mushrooms are finely ground so even kids who don't like mushrooms or veggies ate it up. Make me some of this too... The sauce was thick and nutty, and it went so, so well with the rigatoni noodles. A true 100 points!!

Can you see the cheese,, ah I'm drooling just writing this hahahaha. The mushroom cream pasta exceeded expectations, I'm definitely ordering it again!

200-hour tenderloin katsu with salt and wasabi

You have to try the 200-hour tenderloin katsu. It has that signature tender texture done right, with zero chewiness or dryness, seriously!!

It's delicious even just on its own, but also great with the broth, plus there's sauce, myeongi namul (wild garlic leaves), honey mustard, and wasabi shiitake mushrooms. So many different combinations that I never got tired of it.

Personally I found the Maldon salt and wasabi combo pairs so well together,,,

Trying it with so many combinations meant I never got tired of it and enjoyed every bite. It's great with salad,, great with rice too,, Filling is really the best. If you're looking for a good restaurant in Ssangam-dong, I highly recommend Filling.

Half handmade donkatsu: the right size when you're unsure

Since it's 2 adults and 2 kids, we tend to order more than 3 dishes, but a whole donkatsu felt like it'd be too much, so we got the half handmade donkatsu. Ordering a whole one felt like too much, but not ordering felt like it wouldn't be enough — that's exactly when the half handmade donkatsu is perfect.

Being 'half' didn't mean thin or lacking — the cutlet itself was thick and the taste was on point!! Perfect choice when the portion size is uncertain.

It really pairs well with the onion sauce. The combo of cabbage with mayo, corn, and soup was insane,,haha. Kind of the textbook definition of classic donkatsu.

Good for kids, dates and dogs too

Eating out with kids is great, but Filling Donkatsu Cheomdan Direct Store also has a clean, tidy vibe that makes it a good Cheomdan date spot too!! It's not just donkatsu — there's pasta, steak, bibimbap, and more, so there's plenty to choose from at this Ssangam-dong restaurant, Filling Donkatsu. By the way, it's also known as a dog-friendly restaurant in Cheomdan, so I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a place to eat with their dog in Cheomdan.