Yumi Katsu Sejong Review: Crispy Cheese Katsu

I recently stopped by Yumi Katsu in Dajeong-dong, Sejong City, to grab a quick lunch while taking care of some local errands.

As a huge fan of Japanese pork cutlet (tonkatsu), I walked in looking for a simple, satisfying meal without expecting anything too mind-blowing.

After dining here, I found that both the taste of the Assorted Katsu and the restaurant's self-service model left me with very clear pros and cons.

In this review, I'll share my honest experience, covering everything from the unique layout and food quality to overall value for money.

My husband and I visited during weekday lunch hours. The restaurant was surprisingly quiet, allowing us to enjoy a peaceful meal.

However, the layout of the place is quite unique and worth noting before you visit.

While the first floor only has seating, the kitchen, food pickup counter, and dish return station are all located on the second floor.

There is also additional seating upstairs, which might throw off first-time visitors.

Since we didn't realize it was fully self-service, we sat on the first floor. This meant we had to walk up and down the stairs to order, pick up our food, and return the dishes—which frankly felt like a bit of a chore.

Carrying a tray of freshly fried, heavy katsu down the stairs made me a bit anxious about spilling it. Because of this, I highly recommend finding a table on the second floor right away. It makes picking up and returning your food so much easier.

There is a ramp leading up to the second floor, which is helpful if you are visiting with young kids or a stroller, though the slope is a bit steep.

We ordered the Assorted Katsu (Modum Katsu) for ~$10.

It features a combination of pork loin katsu, cheese katsu, and fried shrimp, making it the perfect sampler for first-time visitors.

You place your order and pay directly at the table tablet. Once your food is ready, you'll get a notification to pick it up.

Cheese Katsu

Hands down, the star of the show.

The cheese was incredibly stretchy, rich, and flavorful. The exterior was perfectly crispy, while the inside remained juicy and tender.

It was easily the most memorable part of the meal. Just make sure to eat it quickly before the cheese cools and hardens!

Pork Loin Katsu (Deungshim)

The pork loin was surprisingly thick and had absolutely no gamey smell.

It retained a good amount of juice, and the breading wasn't overly greasy. It's a very solid, well-executed classic katsu.

Fried Shrimp

While the shrimp texture was decent, the batter had a strong, lingering oily smell.

It was crispy at first, but left a heavy, greasy aftertaste, making it my least favorite item on the plate.

In terms of taste, the meal was generally satisfying, but the pricing and the self-service model might split opinions.

At ~$10, the Assorted Katsu isn't overly expensive given today's dining-out costs. However, when you consider that you have to do absolutely everything yourself—from ordering and picking up food to grabbing water, side dishes, and returning the heavy trays—it feels more like eating at a food court than a sit-down restaurant.

Another minor disappointment was the portion size of the rice. I always wish tonkatsu places would be a bit more generous with their rice scoops!

Yumi Katsu Sejong Dajeong delivers great quality when it comes to the food itself.

The cheese katsu exceeded expectations, and the pork loin is highly reliable.

However, knowing the bi-level layout and the fully self-service system in advance will definitely make your visit much smoother. While I'd gladly return just for the cheese katsu, I probably wouldn't order the assorted platter again.

It's a fantastic spot for a quick, quiet solo lunch, but if you prioritize full table service and high cost-performance, it might not fully meet your expectations.