Busanjin tonkatsu restaurant: Katsu Gimseondo’s mixed set

I visited Katsu Gimseondo (카츠김선도), which had moved to a larger location. I had wanted to try it for some time, and at the expanded space I ordered the mixed tonkatsu set and the gaburi pork loin tonkatsu set. The meat’s tender texture and the seating layout, which looked comfortable even for dining alone, stayed with me.

Where is Katsu Gimseondo, and is parking available?

The address is 16 Seojeon-ro 47beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea (부산 부산진구 서전로47번길 16 1층). The hours listed in the original post are 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, with a break from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

As there was no dedicated parking lot, I parked at a nearby public parking lot. It is close to Jeonpo Station, so I thought it would also be a good place to reach by subway or choose as a meeting spot.

Is there seating suitable for solo dining?

Inside, there were bar seats, two-person tables, and four-person tables. The atmosphere was pleasant and tidy, so I felt it would not be uncomfortable to come alone.

It has an open kitchen, so I could also see the cooking process. Although I came after the lunch rush, there were still several groups, including office workers and solo diners.

What tonkatsu menu items and prices are available?

You can choose pork loin or tenderloin individually, or order a mixed set with both cuts. The main menu prices listed in the original post are as follows.

• Pork loin tonkatsu set: ₩13,000
• Tenderloin tonkatsu set: ₩14,000
• Mixed tonkatsu set: ₩15,000
• Gaburi pork loin tonkatsu set: ₩16,000
• Katsu sando (tonkatsu sandwich): ₩9,000
• Side curry: ₩3,000
• Fried shrimp: ₩3,000
• Add-on soft-boiled fried egg: ₩2,000
• Potato croquette: ₩2,500
• Add-on tenderloin katsu: ₩4,000
• Cass draft beer, 300 ml: ₩3,000

The Gimseondo set includes pork loin, tenderloin, fried shrimp, and a soft-boiled fried egg with a house tare sauce. The original post lists two prices consecutively, so I have not included a confirmed price.

How do you eat the salt and sauces with the tonkatsu?

The restaurant displayed Wi-Fi information and instructions for eating the tonkatsu. The suggested method is to grind pink salt onto the black plate and dip the tonkatsu in it with fresh wasabi, or mix wasabi and mustard into the sauce.

Each table had pepper and pink salt, and when the staff brought the tonkatsu, they explained the suggested way to eat it again.

What were the mixed and gaburi pork loin sets like?

My companion ordered the mixed tonkatsu set for ₩15,000, and I ordered the gaburi pork loin tonkatsu set for ₩16,000.

The mixed tonkatsu set let us try both pork loin and tenderloin at once. It was a good choice when you want to enjoy the difference between the two cuts, and my companion said both the tenderloin and pork loin were tender.

I usually like pork loin, especially premium loin katsu, so I chose the gaburi pork loin tonkatsu set. It combines pork loin with gaburi meat and was described as having a rich meaty aroma and a chewy texture. When I tried it, the fatty part was springy while the lean meat was tender.

The cabbage salad was refreshing with dressing, making it nice to eat before the meal. I also appreciated that the staff kept checking whether we needed more sauce or side dishes.

As instructed, I ground pink salt and dipped the tonkatsu in it, and it was good even without tonkatsu sauce. I tried it with wasabi too, but I liked it best with salt alone.

We both finished the meal satisfied with the meat’s tender texture. It is a place I would think of when looking for tonkatsu to eat alone or with company in Jeonpo.