Yeonnam-dong katsu and chicken karaage under ₩30,000: Katsu Monster

Today I'm sharing an honest review of a delicious meal at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a go-to spot near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong!

Where is Katsu Monster in Yeonnam-dong, and how far is it from Hongik University Station?

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a favorite near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong, sits about a 10-minute walk from Hongdae Station, tucked inside an alley — great for getting there by public transit.

1. Outside Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch

Several storefronts sit side by side and it's one of them, set back in the alley, so it might be a bit tricky to find — but just look for the Katsu Monster sign.

There's a menu board outside so you can check it before going in, which is nice.

2. Inside: 5-6 tables, counter seats and a baby chair

The inside is a decent size with about 5-6 tables, plus counter seating, which makes it good for solo dining too.

There's also a baby chair, so it seems like a good spot for family visits.

3. What is on the Katsu Monster menu?

There's a good variety of tonkatsu types, along with soba and katsu nabe (hot pot), and set menus work out cheaper.

Seeing the menu photos from Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a go-to spot near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong, just makes you want to eat more, right?

The interior is cute too.

Each seat has sauces and utensils laid out neatly for enjoying with the tonkatsu.

Triple katsu and chicken karaage: a full table for ₩29,000

• Triple katsu ₩21,000
• Chicken karaage ₩8,000

A full spread like this for around ₩20,000-something is honestly great value, right?

The katsu is set on a rack so the oil can drain off, so it doesn't feel too greasy to eat.

The cabbage salad that comes as a basic side dish is tasty too.

Instead of plain rice, it comes topped with seaweed flakes, which is a nice touch.

4. Triple katsu compared: cheese, loin and fillet

Several pieces of different tonkatsu types come out, and each piece is quite large.

The cheese katsu's cheese stretched so much I could really enjoy a proper cheese katsu experience.

The cheese katsu at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a favorite near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong, is the real deal.

The loin katsu and fillet katsu also come in several pieces each — I personally love fillet katsu, and it's so tender it's delicious even plain, while the loin katsu is much juicier than usual and not dry at all, so it's easy to eat.

The fillet katsu at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a go-to spot near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong, is so good I think next time I'd be happy just ordering fillet katsu alone.

The fillet katsu at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a favorite near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong, is seriously so good~~~~

I tried it dipped in salt, in wasabi, and in the tonkatsu sauce — however you eat it, Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a go-to spot near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong, delivers.

Chicken karaage at ₩8,000: how big are the pieces?

On top of that, I also ordered the chicken karaage, and wow… I've never seen karaage this huge before. It looked like 5-6 times the size of a regular restaurant's karaage.

It's not just big — it's properly crispy outside and juicy inside, and it doesn't seem store-bought at all; it looks and tastes like it's made in-house at Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a favorite near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong.

The inside seems to be made entirely of chicken thigh meat — so moist and tender it's delicious plain, and just as good dipped in sauce.

It even came with a sweet rice snack for dessert, so I got a nice sweet finish.

Great taste, generous portions, good prices, and a friendly owner — there's not a single reason not to go back. I'm so satisfied with Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch, a go-to spot near Hongdae Station / in Yeonnam-dong, that I recommend it to anyone looking for good Hongdae food or Yeonnam-dong tonkatsu.