Myeongdong Tonkatsu

Myeongdong Tonkatsu has been serving up crispy tonkatsu, or Japanese breaded pork cutlet, and other tasty fried foods such as shrimp and fish since 1983. It is located on a busy street right in the heart of the shopping district of Myeong-dong.

Grab a seat on the first floor at the bar. If you are with more people or need more space, check out the second and third floors for more room and tables.

The first thing you will notice is the food being cooked right in front of you. If you order the pork cutlet, you can watch the chef take a freshly seasoned piece of pork and flour it.

Next, the cutlet is dunked into the thick batter.

Finally, he fully covers it with breadcrumbs and presses it firmly to ensure the breadcrumbs stick to the meat.

After the pork is breaded, it is dropped into 160° Celsius (320° Fahrenheit) oil for about seven minutes until it is hot and crispy. The cutlet is then sliced into smaller pieces and served.

Along with the pork cutlet, or whatever other fried foods you ordered, you will get a small bowl of rice, miso soup, sliced cabbage, pickled vegetables, and a small dab of spicy wasabi mustard.

The breaded pork cutlet at Myeongdong Tonkatsu was amazing. The crispy breading was the perfect thickness. The pork on the inside was tender and juicy. The secret to making the meat so tender is that it is aged for four days.

If you want more flavor, grab the sweet, thick soy sauce and spread it all over the cutlet. There is also a great peanut sauce for the sliced cabbage. You will probably keep going back for more and more.

If you finish your miso soup or cabbage and would like more, just ask the server for a refill.

Since the restaurant is located in Myeong-dong, it caters to both locals and tourists. Even though the area is touristy, it seems like the restaurant is popular and always busy with many locals eating here. If it is packed with locals, that is usually a good sign.

The staff is friendly and helpful, especially if you are a foreigner. They also understand enough English to be able to serve you and refill your miso soup, rice, or vegetables when needed.

Myeongdong Tonkatsu is an excellent place to enjoy crispy tonkatsu and other fried foods at affordable prices in an area surrounded by many overpriced, touristy restaurants.

Last Updated on May 3, 2026