When you’re looking for a meal around Konkuk University, it’s easy to find a tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant. However, true quality tonkatsu places are few and far between. As someone who really enjoys tonkatsu, I couldn’t resist checking out the newly opened Ginzaryoko Konkuk branch. I’ve visited the restaurant more than five times in the past month since it opened on March 1, 2023. This post is my review of Ginzaryoko Demi-glace Tonkatsu.
Table of contents
Most Tasty tonkatsu (pork cutlet) with Demi-glace sauce
The signature menu in the Ginzaryko is the Demi-glace tonkatsu. The price of the Demi-glace tonkatsu as a single dish is 9,500 won, and it can be upgraded for free to 1.5 servings, which amounts to an additional small cutlet. The portion is generous, so even people with hearty appetites can eat without feeling like they didn’t get enough.
Taste of tonkatsu
The tonkatsu is served with sauce immediately after being fried, so you can enjoy the warm tonkatsu right away. The meat used is said to be pork loin, and the texture is as tender as a pork tenderloin, indicating that the ingredient preparation was done well.
Taste of Demi-Glace sause
When eating sauce-soaked tonkatsu, sometimes the lukewarm sauce can make you lose your appetite. However, with this tonkatsu, I didn’t feel bored of the taste until I finished eating it. I also recommend trying it with a little bit of mustard served together. It can enhance the flavor of the tonkatsu while reducing the greasiness that is unique to fried food.
Salad
Unlike other tonkatsu restaurants, Ginjaryoko serves lettuce and tomato salad instead of cabbage salad. The salad comes with an oriental sauce dressing that pairs well with the tonkatsu.
Open Kitchen, very clean
Since Ginjaryoko is an open kitchen, you can see the cooking process, which gives the impression that the restaurant is paying attention to hygiene and cleanliness throughout. The lighting is slightly dim, creating an izakaya-like atmosphere, and traditional Japanese music plays in the background. It seems like a good place to eat alone, as well as for couples or groups of friends.
Other Menu
In addition to the Demi-glace tonkatsu, there are many other menu items available at Ginjaryoko. They offer various Japanese dishes such as gyudon (beef bowl), katsudon (pork cutlet bowl), and salmon bowl, as well as curry and udon. The portions are generous and served in large bowls. Although I haven’t tried them yet, based on watching others enjoy their meals, there’s no doubt that these dishes are delicious.
Cons
One downside is that there are often too many delivery app orders, which can delay the serving time for dine-in customers. Additionally, if you don’t time your visit right during lunch hours, you may have to wait for a table.
Location
Across the street from the pedestrian crossing in front of Yeomun-ro, Konkuk University.
5 minutes walking distance from Exit 2 of Konkuk University Station (Line 2).
