Songjeong, Busan pork cutlet with tender salad and chili paste: Deli

The weather has been so nice lately that we took a drive out to Songjeong beach — and honestly, do I even need to say how refreshing that beach is? My husband, our baby and I drove around and walked for ages enjoying the autumn air, and by the end we were starving.

We didn't even have to think about what to eat — we'd already decided in advance we were going to Deli Donkatsu. By the time we got there it was almost dinnertime, and the vintage, classic exterior caught my eye right away. So let me tell you about our visit to Deli Donkatsu, a Songjeong, Busan restaurant.

Where is Deli Donkatsu in Songjeong, and what are the hours and parking?

Deli Donkatsu is located at 146, 1st floor, Songjeong-jungang-ro 9beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan. Parking is available, it's open Monday through Sunday, break time is 16:00–17:00, and it's closed on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month.

• Address: 146, 1st floor, Songjeong-jungang-ro 9beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
• Parking: Available
• Hours: Mon–Sun
• Break time: 16:00–17:00
• Regular closed days: 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month

I'd been wanting to visit ever since I passed by and was struck by the retro red-brick exterior. Their signature classic pork cutlet is only ₩9,500, making it a great value lunch spot in Songjeong, Busan that's easy to drop into without a second thought. The vibe outside and the vibe once you step inside are actually quite different, though!

What is the interior of Deli Donkatsu like?

Once we stepped inside Deli Donkatsu, the warm wood-toned interior and classic little props gave the whole space a cozy vibe. It felt like a place perfect for a date, but just as comfortable for a family visit — genuinely a perfect East Busan restaurant, if you ask me :) The retro music playing in the background was a really nice touch too.

The kitchen is open-style, and even though Deli Donkatsu is small, everything felt well set up.

Every single little decorative piece was so cute and antique-feeling.

What we ordered at Deli Donkatsu: classic pork cutlet and iron-plate kimchi fried rice

We ordered Deli Donkatsu's signature classic pork cutlet along with the sweet-and-spicy sizzling kimchi fried rice.

They were thoughtful enough to bring out a kids' tray with yogurt too. Our baby was thrilled, going 'mine, mine!'

A dinner roll and soup came out as a starter, and the soup had that unforgettable classic-style pork cutlet flavor you never forget.

How does the 9,500 won classic pork cutlet taste, and will a toddler eat it?

The classic pork cutlet I'd been looking forward to most kept all its freshly-fried crispiness intact. It came generously topped with a sweet, savory, homemade-tasting special sauce, and the meat itself was so tender it was a pleasure to chew.

It wasn't overpowering at all — it had that nostalgic, upscale flavor you remember from old-school classic cutlet restaurants, the kind of taste anyone, of any age, would love. Our baby clearly loved it too, because she finished my entire portion by herself. Even with a full belly, she ate down to the very last bite and finished off the leftover dinner roll too. When a kid eats like that, you know it's a good restaurant.

Iron-plate kimchi fried rice with cheongyang chili paste

The sizzling kimchi fried rice, served on a hot iron plate, did a great job balancing out the slight richness of the cutlet. The spiciness of the well-cooked kimchi, the perfectly fried rice, and popping the egg yolk on top and mixing it all together — it was seriously delicious.

A bite of cutlet, then a bite of kimchi fried rice — that combo was fantastic. I really recommend ordering both together. Oh, and!!! Definitely ask for the cheongyang chili paste (청양다대기) and spicy sauce. That's the real secret. The cheongyang chili peppers refresh your palate right when the cutlet starts to feel a bit rich.

The tender salad you get through Naver alerts

This is the tender salad we received by signing up for Naver alerts — crisp, fresh vegetables that made everything taste bright and refreshing. Definitely!! Set up the alert before you go so you can get the salad too ^^

Deli Donkatsu in Songjeong, Busan: final thoughts

With its striking red-brick exterior and cozy retro vibe, this place was great for Instagram-worthy photos too. The nostalgic, crispy classic pork cutlet and the sweet-spicy sizzling kimchi fried rice were both excellent. And the retro music playing in the store? Absolutely the best!!!!

If you're looking for a good meal alongside a Songjeong drive, or a great-value restaurant in Songjeong, Busan, Deli Donkatsu nails both the vibe and the flavor — definitely worth a visit ^^