Sanuki
사누끼
About
Cozy Japanese-style katsu staple right by Chang-dong Station, beloved locally for light, crisp frying and generous portions.
Just steps from Exit 2 of Chang-dong Station, Sanuki announces itself with a bold red sign reading "The House That Does Tonkatsu Well." While neighboring heavyweight Matsumura often dominates the local pork cutlet discourse, this tiny neighborhood fixture holds its own as half of Chang-dong’s cutlet duopoly. The interior is exceedingly compact—housing only about four tables that seat just over ten people—meaning lunchtime lines form almost immediately after opening. The kitchen compensates with brisk pacing, often taking orders while guests wait on the sidewalk and sending trays out swiftly from the open fry station. The menu keeps strictly to classic Japanese-style fried cutlets. The *modeum-katsu* (combination cutlet) is the crowd favorite, packing domestic pork loin (*hire*), tenderloin (*rosegatsu*), and exceptionally tender chicken katsu onto a single plate. Fresh oil is a clear priority here; the pale panko breading emerges thin, feather-light, and entirely devoid of stale grease. The pork loin carries an assertive pepper cure beneath its crust, while the chicken cutlet stands out for its pillow-soft interior. For non-meat eaters, the fish katsu offers an equally crisp, flaky alternative. Every tray arrives with miso soup, fluffy white rice, spicy pickled radish, and yellow danmuji. The tabletop ritual is central to the charm: diners are handed their own small sesame grinder to churn toasted seeds into a deep paste before pouring in the dark, slightly salty katsu sauce. Locals often keep grinding well beyond the sauce bowl, blanketing their cutlets and rice in fragrant toasted seeds. With no alcohol on the menu and evening operations shifting heavily toward takeout, Sanuki operates with the fast, unpretentious rhythm of a dedicated workday lunch counter. It draws everyone from high school students to neighborhood seniors who appreciate honest frying, fair prices, and zero pretense.
Menu
- Assorted Katsu Platter₩13,000
- Pork Loin Cutlet₩11,500
- Fish Cutlet₩13,000
- 히레(안심)카츠₩12,000
- Cheese Tonkatsu₩13,000
- Chicken Katsu₩10,000
Local tips
- Arrive near opening as the tiny 4-table dining area fills up quickly.
- Try the combo platter (모둠카츠) to taste tenderloin, sirloin, and chicken cutlets.
- Dinner hours are often takeout-only, and alcohol is not served.
Details
- Chang-dong
Opening hours
- Sunday
- —
- Monday
- 11:00–19:00
- Tuesday
- 11:00–19:00
- Wednesday
- 11:00–19:00
- Thursday
- 11:00–19:00
- Friday
- 11:00–19:00
- Saturday
- 11:00–19:00