Seoul Katsu
서울카츠
About
Cozy second-floor tonkatsu spot near Chungmuro Station serving Japanese-style aged pork cutlets, gyukatsu, and classic nostalgic king cutlets.
Tucked away just steps from Chungmuro Station, Seoul Katsu sits on the second floor of a quiet alley building, accessed via a narrow staircase. Inside, soft lighting and warm wood furnishings create the cozy atmosphere of a hideaway attic, with broad second-story windows that lend a welcome sense of openness. Operating since 2019, the kitchen focuses on grade-1 Han-don pork, utilizing wave-aging and specialty brining techniques to deliver comforting cutlets that span both Japanese and old-school Korean styles. Tablets at each table keep ordering simple, presenting a diverse roster of cuts. The tenderloin katsu (anshim-katsu) arrives with a delicate crust adhered tightly to remarkably soft, cleanly flavored pork that needs nothing more than a pinch of salt to highlight its natural savor. Those seeking a broader sampling can opt for the Soft Assorted Katsu set, which bundles anshim alongside menchi-katsu and lean chicken tenderloin cutlets. Across the spectrum, the retro-style king cutlet (wang-donkatsu, or gyeongyangsik-katsu) offers deep nostalgia: a wide, crisply fried pork cutlet drenched in thick, sweet demiglace, plated with classic macaroni salad and shredded cabbage. For an interactive turn, the gyukatsu arrives with a personal tabletop mini brazier. Slices of ruby beef sizzle against the hot grill to your preferred doneness, best finished with flecks of wasabi or whole-grain mustard to cut through the rich juices. Trays come arranged in individual ceramic dishes with fluffy white rice, mildly sweet broth, and crisp yellow pickled radish scented lightly with yuzu. While peak lunch hours bring lines that back up down the stairs and the four-top tables fill quickly with local workers, quieter stretches make it an easy retreat for a focused, comforting meal in Jung-gu.
Menu
- Tenderloin Katsu₩13,000
- Chicken Katsu₩12,500
- Pork Loin Katsu₩14,000
- Premium Pork Loin Katsu₩16,000
- 서울카레₩12,000
- 추가 서울 카레₩4,500
- 순수 치즈 카츠₩14,500
- 멘츠카츠₩12,000
- 소프트 모듬 카츠₩16,000
- 점보 모듬 카츠₩19,000
Local tips
- Located on the second floor up a steep and narrow flight of stairs.
- Order conveniently via the tabletop kiosk system.
- Lines can form along the staircase during peak lunch hours, so arrive early.
- Cabbage salad refills are available upon request.
Details
- Chungmuro
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 11:00–20:50
- Monday
- 11:00–20:50
- Tuesday
- 11:00–20:50
- Wednesday
- 11:00–20:50
- Thursday
- 11:00–20:50
- Friday
- 11:00–20:50
- Saturday
- 11:00–20:50