Ojeje (오제제 광화문): For the Love of Tonkatsu
Located in Gwanghwamun (광화문), the historic south gate of Gyeongbok Palace, Ojeje finds itself in one of Seoul’s most iconic neighborhoods. Known for its wide square and charming streets, Gwanghwamun attracts locals and foreigners of all ages with its vibrant mix of tradition and modernity.
Ojeje is tucked away in the basement of the Seoul Finance Center but the crowds it attracts is hard to miss. The restaurant's ambiance sets the tone with an entrance featuring a serene Zen garden that welcomes diners with a sense of tranquility. Once inside, warm lighting and natural stone accents create an inviting space while the open dining area hums with quiet chatter.
The heart of Ojeje’s menu is their tonkatsu, made from either tenderloin or sirloin cuts of pork. The breading is incredibly light and crisp, enhancing the dish rather than overpowering it. Beneath the delicate crust, the meat is rich and perfectly cooked, making every bite indulgent yet balanced. While the tonkatsu shines, the accompanying elements—the cabbage salad, tsuyu dipping sauce, and truffle salt—are fairly average and don't stand out on their own. However, they are subtle accessories and keep the focus firmly on the quality of the pork.
Ojeje’s cold matcha zaru udon is also worth a try. Served atop a bed of shaved ice, the matcha-infused noodles are a feast for the eyes and palate. Their vivid green color hints at the refreshing, earthy flavor that awaits, while the noodles themselves are firm and chewy, providing a fulfilling texture in every bite. The presentation is impressive, and the cold noodles are a revitalizing pairing with the tonkatsu.
What sets Ojeje apart is its focus on execution. While many restaurants rely on gimmicks or heavy-handed flavors, Ojeje keeps things simple and delivers on quality where it matters most. In my opinion, the hirekatsu (tenderloin) demonstrates a mastery of technique, while the matcha udon is both visually stunning and delicious.
Whether you’re a tonkatsu enthusiast or just exploring, Ojeje offers an experience that is as satisfying as it is memorable.
Ojeje’s entrance features a minimalist Zen garden design with neatly arranged rocks, gravel, and pottery elements, highlighted by subtle lighting. A brick wall and natural stone columns create a warm, rustic ambiance that contrasts with the bright and lively dining area visible in the background.
Ojeje provides simple and polite instructions on how to best enjoy their tonkatsu and zaru udon. Diners are guided on the ideal toppings for both the tonkatsu and cabbage salad to avoid confusion. A single misunderstanding could be detrimental to the intention of the dish.
Tips for the tonkatsu are described on the left while directions for the zaru udon are on the right. For the tonkatsu, it’s recommended to dip the meat in both the truffle salt and homemade tonkatsu sauce, while the cabbage salad is to be enjoyed with the citrus dressing and a slice of lemon. Don’t forget to shake the citrus dressing before pouring.
The zaru udon comes with a dipping sauce called tsuyu, which is usually made with dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and a little bit of sugar. A small plate of scallions, grated daikon, and wasabi is also available to season the tsuyu.
These instructions make the experience easy and enjoyable.
This is the truffle salt and the citrus dressing. As you can see, there is some sediment that sunk to the bottom of the bottle. That’s why it’s important to shake the bottle before use.
Hirekatsu is a type of Japanese deep-fried pork cutlet. It’s made using pork tenderloin, which is the leanest and most tender cut of pork. Ojeje prepares the hirekatsu nearly medium-rare so the center of the meat is still fairly pink. The cut itself has minimal layers of fat but is still incredibly tender and full of juicy flavors.
[17,000 WON]
The matcha zaru udon stands out with its vibrant green hue, a visual manifestation of the earthy richness of matcha. The noodles are thick and firm, which is satisfying to chew. Served on top of crushed ice, each bite delivers a cool and invigorating experience.
[11,000 WON]