Family dinner with kids at Kosi, a Konkuk Univ. katsu restaurant

We were in Seongsu-dong and it was getting close to dinnertime, so I was trying to figure out where to go when my kid suddenly said they wanted cheese katsu. That sent us heading toward Konkuk University. Looking for somewhere we could all eat comfortably together, we ended up at Kosi Konkuk University Branch.

Location and parking

• Parking: available in front of or behind the building

There are so many restaurants around Konkuk University that I was torn about where to go at first. Since we were eating with a kid, taste mattered, but so did whether the place would be too cramped or uncomfortable.

Inside: a dining room easy to sit in with a kid

Once we actually walked in, the space was bigger and cleaner than I expected, a good atmosphere for eating comfortably with a child. It really had the feel of an Osaka rice restaurant.

The first thing I noticed walking in was how much roomier it felt than I'd anticipated. When you're eating with a kid, cramped tables or uncomfortable chairs are the kind of thing that quietly gets on your nerves, so I liked that Kosi Konkuk University Branch had a relaxed feel where we could sit comfortably.

The place was also kept clean overall, so there was no stress about bringing a child along. It seems like a fine spot for friends or couples eating near Konkuk University too, but for families like us hunting for a kid-friendly Konkuk restaurant, it felt like an easy place to visit.

What we ordered: cheese katsu + udon set, karaage-don

That day we ordered a cheese katsu + udon set and a karaage-don.

The cheese katsu that my kid had asked for turned out to be, unsurprisingly, their favorite dish of the meal. The combination of katsu and cheese made it easy for a kid to eat, and with the udon that came alongside it, it was a hearty full meal.

We'd come specifically because my kid wanted katsu, and once the food arrived, it looked appetizing enough to build up my expectations even further.

The katsu had a nice balance of crispy coating and tender meat inside, and my kid ate it up happily. When you eat out with a child, no matter how good the food is, it's a little disappointing if they don't eat well — but this time my kid ate so well that it put me in a good mood too.

The udon we ordered alongside it paired well with the katsu too. Katsu alone can get a bit heavy, but having warm udon with it made the meal feel much more complete. And the noodles were really something else.

I was looking for something besides katsu and spotted the karaage-don (fried chicken rice bowl), so I gave it a try — and it was satisfying. Having rice and chicken together made it hearty, and every dish overall was reliably tasty, making it good for sharing across the family.

Kindness as memorable as the food

What I liked most, though, was how thoughtful the staff were. When we mentioned we were dining with a child, they brought out a separate kid-sized fork and small plate. That kind of thing doesn't stand out the way flavor does, but when you've dined out with a kid before, you know how genuinely grateful it makes you feel.

It felt like they really cared about guests visiting with kids, and that put me in a good mood even before the meal started.

When you visit with a child, all sorts of little requests tend to come up at a restaurant, but the staff handled everything kindly and without a hint of annoyance, which let us eat comfortably.

Looking for a restaurant near Konkuk University Station to bring your kid to?

We ended up at Kosi Konkuk University Branch just because of one comment from my kid while we were out in Seongsu-dong, and it turned into a more satisfying dinner than I expected. Turns out it's actually the udon spot that was featured on the show Human Documentary Master's Life (생활의 달인).

The dining room was spacious and clean, and being able to sit comfortably with my kid was a big plus. The cheese katsu udon set and the chicken rice bowl were both tasty overall too.

But what stuck with me most was the thoughtfulness of a separate fork and plate for the kid, the friendly way the owner treated us, and the generous handful of vitamins they gave my child at the end.

Good food matters, but a meal with family feels a lot more satisfying when it comes with a relaxed atmosphere and kind service. This time we came because my kid wanted to, but if I'm ever near Konkuk University again, I'd happily stop by once more.

Kosi Konkuk University Branch, found while hunting for a good Konkuk restaurant to bring my kid to — I'm keeping it in mind as a place to return to next time I'm in the area. Next time, I'm definitely trying the udon on its own.