My husband and I finally tried Ojeje tonkatsu at the Gwanghwamun branch—the beloved tonkatsu spot that even comedian Park Myeong‑su praised. We arrived around opening time and ended up waiting about 10 minutes. Lucky us! By the time we were seated, others had been queuing for over an hour. As a husband-and-wife pair who jokingly call ourselves “donkatsu pros”, this visit felt like another delicious milestone in our mission to conquer all of Korea’s top-tonkatsu restaurants.
Ojeje tonkatsu Arrival & First Impressions
Located in the basement of Seoul Finance Center (SFC Mall), Ojeje is just two minutes from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 5. The entrance features a tranquil Zen garden—an inviting calm before stepping into a warm and polished dining space with soft lighting, natural stone decor, and open seating. It felt like modern Japanese design meets Seoul sophistication.
Ojeje tonkatsu Menu Highlights & Menu Structure
Ojeje focuses on high-quality tonkatsu and matcha zaru udon with simple yet refined options:
- Hire Katsu (Tenderloin Fillet) – ₩17,000 (₩24,000 with added fried rice)
- Rōsu Katsu (Sirloin Loin) – ₩16,000 (₩17,000 for special; higher with added shrimp)
- Set A – Tenderloin + Rōsu + Zaru Udon (~₩40,000)
- Set B – Tenderloin + Rōsu + Shrimp Tempura (~₩43,000)
- Matcha Cold Udon (Zaru Udon) – ₩11,000
Also worth trying: shrimp tempura side or premium udon sides (mentaiko, soba) Instagram+9AutoReserve+9Wanderlog+9
We opted for tenderloin katsu + cold matcha zaru udon—the fillet arrived pink and juicy, lightly breaded so it didn’t feel heavy. The udon was firm and refreshing—a perfect pairing to cleanse the palate. Fried shrimp was crisp and meaty—another highlight.
Waiting Experience: Luck & Timing
We registered via the kiosk at the entrance before official opening time. We were seated after only 10 minutes, while by the time we left, the queue stretched over 1 hour long. Korean diners truly love their tonkatsu—the restaurant was buzzing by lunchtime.
Tip: You can also pre‑order at check‑in so your food arrives fast once seated. For popular lunch hours, arriving a bit early helps a lot.
Our Donkatsu Mission
My husband, a tonkatsu aficionado, jokes that he’s on a lifelong quest to “break open every crispy cutlet in Seoul.” With each restaurant we visit, he awards a figurative star rating. Ojeje got the “Gold Tenderloin” stamp from him. We left blissfully full—but already plotting our next stop in our personal gourmet parade of pork cutlets across Korea
Korean Donkatsu Culture: Why We Line Up
In Korea, tonkatsu isn’t just food—it’s comfort, nostalgia, and gourmet dining all wrapped into one plate. There’s an ever-growing culture around “premium tonkatsu”: perfectly pink fillets, light breading, neat presentation, and even truffle salt or citrus dipping options. Ojeje embodies this trend brilliantly. Diners are willing to wait—even for 1+ hour—because the payoff is consistent quality and tender meat worth the hype.
Location on Google Maps
Ojeje Gwanghwamun Branch
📌 B3, Seoul Finance Center (SFC Mall), 136 Sejong‑daero, Jung-gu, Seoulm
🚇 2 min walk from Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5)
Hours:
Lunch: 11:00 AM–3:30 PM (last order 2:30 PM)
Dinner: 5:30 PM–9:00 PM (last order 8:00 PM)
Closed: None, but break time daily ~3:30–5:30 PM
Parking: 2-hour free underground parking in SFC Mall (register at checkout)
Final Thoughts
Ojeje is more than a premium tonkatsu restaurant—it’s a culinary pilgrimage for lovers of tenderloin perfection. From the moment you step into its tranquil Zen-like foyer to the juicy fillet that melts in your mouth, the experience is consistently gratifying. The wait is real—but so is the joy of biting into a cutlet this good. Don’t say we didn’t warn you: it might raise the bar for every future tonkatsu you try.