3.228 Tonkatsu

Cycle 3 – Item 228

20 (Mon) August 2012

Tonkatsu

2.0

at Gasmong

-Oksu, Seongdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with DJ

During the past few years, Oksu-Dong has seen a flurry of redevelopment unmatched in scale and intensity anywhere in the city (or so it seems). Redevelopment in Seoul doesn’t just happen at the landowner’s discretion but requires government approval that’s granted on a zone-by-zone basis every 20 to 30 years. When approval comes, as it has to Oksu-Dong, everyone gets busy. In fact, we originally moved here in the late 90s after our apartment complex had been built during the previous approval period. Three apartment complexes have recently been completed down near the river, while a massive site larger than the others combined is still under construction on the hills above. Old-timers like us are now stuck in the middle, looking forward to the added benefits (e.g., restaurants and stores) and dreading the burdens to come (e.g., traffic).

Located in this as-yet mostly empty shopping building adjacent to Oksu-Station and the aforementioned riverside complexes.

Gasmong is a Japanese restaurant. Casual vibe, kid-friendly fare. The house specialty is tonkatsu.

Fortunately for DJ, the tonkatsu also comes in a kid’s set, complete with a chemical cartoon drink. The tonkatsu was the old-school type: thin cutlet with a sweet gravy-like sauce.

Unfortunately for me, the regular version was mediocre. Though done in the more authentic style with a thicker cutlet and flakier panko breading, it was a bit dry in texture and bland in taste. And the dipping sauce had an unpleasant aftertaste. 6,000 won.