A Truly Authentic Katsu Restaurant Recognized by Jeonju Locals - Honest Review of Katsumorizo

Finally Visiting the Famous Spot I Saw on Instagram!

Every time I travel to Jeonju these days, I see Katsumorizo so often on Instagram, and I finally visited! My friend, who is a local in Jeonju, kept recommending it, saying, "This place is really good, better than most katsu places in Seoul," so I was curious. Since I was traveling to Jeonju, I decided to go for lunch, and it turned out to be a great decisionㅠㅠ

Katsumorizo is located in Junghwasan-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, and it's easy to find as it's behind Jesus Hospital. The light green building stands out!

Waiting is Expected, but the System is Great

We arrived around 1:30 PM on a weekday, and there was already a wait. It made me realize it's indeed a famous spot. However, the waiting system was really well organized! There's a separate waiting area with chairs and phone charging cables, which was very thoughtful.

You can also register for remote waiting via Catch Table, so I recommend doing that in advance! We waited for about 20 minutes, but we could order in advance while waiting, which was nice.

The Charming Atmosphere of an Open Kitchen

Finally, we entered! The inside was more spacious and clean than I expected. The open kitchen is surrounded by a U-shaped bar table, making it fun to watch the cooking process. It could seat about 20 people, so it was larger than I thought.

Each seat had a tablet for convenient additional orders, and the water dispenser, various seasonings, and sauces were well prepared. When I opened the drawer, the cutlery was neatly arranged, showing how much attention to detail was given.

The Dilemma of Menu Selection and Decision!

The menu was simpler than I thought. The main dishes were Rosukatsu (loin) for 14,000 won and Hirekatsu (tenderloin) for 15,000 won, along with other special katsu options. My friend said, "If it's your first visit, you must try the Hirekatsu," so I ordered the Hirekatsu for 15,000 won, and my friend ordered the Rosukatsu for 14,000 won.

We also added curry for 3,000 won, which turned out to be a great choice!

The Care Starting with the Pre-Meal Soup

As soon as we ordered, corn soup was served. It was my first time having pre-meal soup at a katsu place, so it was interesting, and it was really tasty because it was savory and not too sweet. These small services made me understand why this place is famous.

There were also various sauces prepared on the table. Basic katsu sauce, basil oil, salt, and apple puree! There was a guide on how to eat it for better taste, so I followed it.

The Impressive Arrival of Hirekatsu

The Hirekatsu finally arrived... and wow, it was shocking. The meat had a rosy tint, and at first, I thought, "Isn't this undercooked?" But the explanation said it was normal. Trusting it, I took a bite... and it literally melted in my mouth!

It was my first time eating such tender katsu. Being the tenderloin part, it was really soft and mild, and the breadcrumb coating was crispy, making the contrast in texture delightful. Adding apple puree gave it a sweet taste, making it a complete delicacy!

The Different Charm of Rosukatsu

I also tried the Rosukatsu my friend ordered, and it had a different charm from the Hirekatsu. Being the loin part, it was juicier and had a chewier texture. Both were so delicious that I wanted to order both and eat them all by myself next timeㅋㅋ

The additional curry was also really tasty! I mixed it with rice and dipped the katsu in it, and the unique sweetness of Japanese curry paired perfectly with the katsu.

The Special Side, the Combination of Radish Kimchi and Yuzu Jam

The real kick of this place is the combination of radish kimchi and yuzu jam! At first, I thought, "Radish kimchi with yuzu jam?" but when I tried it, it was a fantastic taste. The crunchiness of the radish kimchi and the sweetness of the yuzu jam created a completely new flavor.

We also received shrimp tempura as a review event, and it was crispy and delicious. There was nothing lacking!

The Service and Kindness of the Staff

The staff were really kind. They explained how to eat since it was our first visit, and they kindly explained how to use the tablet for additional orders. The speed of the food coming out was just right, and they kept refilling our water, so the service was really good.

And since it's an open kitchen, you can see the cooking process, and watching them fry each piece with care made me understand why it tastes so good.

How's the Value for Money?

The prices are 15,000 won for Hirekatsu and 14,000 won for Rosukatsu, which might be a bit expensive considering Jeonju's prices. However, considering the quality of the meat, taste, and service, I think it's worth it. In Seoul, katsu of this quality would probably cost over 20,000 won.

Moreover, rice, soup, salad, radish kimchi, and pickles are all included, so it felt like better value for money in reality.

Visit Tips and Precautions

Nearby Attractions and Linked Courses

Katsumorizo is near Jesus Hospital, so it's close to the center of Jeonju city. After the meal, you can reach Jeonju Hanok Village in about 10 minutes by car, and Jeonbuk National University is nearby, making it a good place to explore.

There's also a sushi restaurant called Sushi Ashita on the first floor of the same building. I'll have to try it next time!

Honest Overall Impression

It's been a long time since I felt, "This is a real gem." When I saw it on Instagram, I thought it was just pretty pictures, but the taste was genuinely good when I tried it. Especially the tenderness of the Hirekatsu is something I won't forget.

There is a wait, but I think it's worth it. I highly recommend it to those visiting Jeonju or those who love katsu! I'll definitely come back next time I'm in Jeonjuㅎㅎ

Oh, and you must try the radish kimchi and yuzu jam combination. It's a whole new world!