Ilwon-dong tonkatsu lunch of 72-hour aged sirloin katsu: Sioldon

I was craving tonkatsu, so I searched for a good spot and ended up at Sioldon Ilwon Branch, a favorite near Samsung Seoul Hospital :) Let me introduce their tonkatsu made with aged Korean pork, plus the kimchi nabe (kimchi hot pot) I love :)

Where is Sioldon Ilwon Branch, and what are its hours and parking?

Sioldon Ilwon Branch is at 12 Ilwon-ro 9-gil, 1st floor, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, open daily 11:00–20:30. Break time is 14:30–17:00, and last order is 20:00.

There are 2 free parking spots in front of the restaurant.

This Ilwon-dong tonkatsu favorite, Sioldon, is about a 9-minute walk from Daecheong Station Exit 4, near Samsung Seoul Hospital.

Inside Sioldon Ilwon Branch: seating and solo dining

The interior of this Samsung Seoul Hospital-area favorite is decorated cleanly in wood tones and ivory, giving it a warm, calm overall mood. The tables have some separation between them, so you can eat comfortably without worrying too much about the next table.

By the window there are bar-style seats too, which look good for sitting side by side or for a solo visit.

Hair ties, toothpicks, and mouthwash were thoughtfully provided as well.

You check the menu and order through a kiosk.

What is on the menu at Sioldon Ilwon Branch?

The menu at this Ilwon-dong tonkatsu spot ranges from a value set to sirloin katsu, tenderloin katsu, cheese katsu, premium sirloin katsu, and an assorted katsu platter — plenty of variety. Beyond tonkatsu, there are also meal options like katsudon and kimchi nabe, so there's something for every taste.

There's also a Naver receipt review event. If you write a Naver receipt review mentioning Samsung Seoul Hospital, Ilwon-dong, tonkatsu, and so on, you can get a free canned drink at random.

Sirloin katsu set + mini cold soba, and kimchi nabe. That's what we ordered.

Sirloin katsu set, 12,900 won: 72-hour cross-aged Korean pork

• Sirloin katsu set – ₩12,900
• Mini cold soba – ₩3,000

Sioldon's sirloin katsu is made from domestic Korean pork cross-aged for 72 hours and brined with nuruk (fermentation starter) salt for deep flavor. The sirloin katsu came with cabbage salad, rice, diced radish kimchi, tonkatsu sauce, wholegrain mustard, wasabi, and Himalayan pink salt.

This Samsung Seoul Hospital-area favorite uses Dodram Hanwoo and Sunjin Pork, two leading domestic Korean pork brands, plus Sioldon's own aging method: kept at a specific temperature in a dedicated aging chamber and cross-aged for 72 hours.

Using carefully aged Korean pork, the meat was soft and moist, with a mild yet savory flavor that came through more the more I chewed.

The breading was crispy but not thick, so the meat's tender texture really came through, and the pairing of the mild meat with the crunchy coating worked well together.

With tonkatsu sauce, wholegrain mustard, wasabi, and Himalayan pink salt all on offer, you can enjoy it in different ways depending on your taste. Personally, I like the wasabi, which adds a bit of a kick to the meat's natural mild flavor, and the Himalayan pink salt, which adds more savory depth :)

Mini cold soba, 3,000 won: how it pairs with tonkatsu

The mini cold soba can be added for ₩3,000. It came piled with scallions, seaweed flakes, and bonito flakes, and had bits of ice floating in it, making it really refreshing.

The broth was clean but savory-salty, with a subtle umami from the bonito flakes, and pairing it with the tonkatsu helped cut through the richness nicely.

Kimchi nabe, 13,900 won: tonkatsu soaked in spicy broth

The kimchi nabe (kimchi hot pot) at Sioldon Ilwon Branch is ₩13,900. It's a hearty, spicy hot pot simmering deep-flavored kimchi with rich tonkatsu — Sioldon's kimchi katsu nabe — served with cabbage salad, rice, and udon broth.

I love kimchi nabe, so the moment I saw it on the menu, I ordered it without a second thought. The mild tonkatsu paired with the spicy, tangy flavor of the kimchi is great for perking up your appetite.

Inside the kimchi nabe was a thick cut of tonkatsu. The broth soaked into the tonkatsu, making it soft and moist — a different, juicy texture compared to the crispy version, which made for a nice change.

The kimchi nabe broth had the savory depth of the tonkatsu added in, so it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy — more of a clean, sharp kick that went well with the tonkatsu. Kimchi nabe really is delicious ~ :)

Do check out this Ilwon-dong tonkatsu spot / Samsung Seoul Hospital favorite, Sioldon Ilwon Branch :)