A $3 pork cutlet spot in Sinchon |
Back at Coshong Donkkaseu after 9 years + cash and ATM tips
Written by
Jigu Byeol Sigol Jwi, a book-loving travel and daily life blogger YouTuber
[Quick Review]
If you’re looking for one of the cheapest meals near Sinchon Station, Coshong Donkkaseu is hard to beat. The basic donkkaseu, a Korean-style breaded pork cutlet, is just $3 and comes with rice, soup, cabbage, and pickled radish. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Sinchon Station in Seoul, South Korea, and they only accept cash—no cards or bank transfer. If you show up without cash, there’s an ATM about 10 seconds away in front of Sinchon Nurungji Whole Chicken, and I was able to withdraw money with my Toss card without paying a fee.
Key Q&A
Q. Can you pay by card at Coshong Donkkaseu?
No. As of my visit in August 2026, they did not accept cards or bank transfer—cash only. It’s best to bring cash before you go or use a nearby ATM. (I’ve included the closest ATM location at the bottom of this post.)
Q. Is it good for solo dining?
Yes, especially if you just want a quick meal alone. There were plenty of solo diners when I visited. That said, if your group has an odd number of people, you may be asked to share a table. This is much more of a fast, cheap meal spot than a place to linger over conversation.
It was $2 in 2017, and $3 in 2026
The first time I went to Coshong Donkkaseu was back in 2017. At the time, a full pork cutlet set was only $2, and I remember thinking, “How is this even possible?” When I came back in 2026—nine years later—the basic donkkaseu had gone up to $3.
The review I wrote after my 2017 visit
Honestly, what surprised me most was that the price had only gone up by about $0.70 over nine years. Walking through the back streets of Sinchon again brought back the exact moment I first found this place, and I got unexpectedly nostalgic.
A Sinchon alley packed with budget-friendly restaurants
Coshong Donkkaseu is located at 2 Myeongmul 1-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Sinchon Station. There’s no dedicated parking, so public transportation is your best bet.
This is basically the No. 1 value-food street on the famous “poor map” of Sinchon
Along this alley, you’ll find one low-cost spot after another, including places serving $4 kimchi jjim and tonkotsu ramen.
These days, in Hongdae or Yeonnam-dong, I find myself checking prices before I order anything. But Sinchon still has that classic college-neighborhood affordability. This stretch really feels like the main street of the so-called “Sinchon poor map.”
Coshong Donkkaseu menu and prices
The menu was still as simple as ever when I visited.
Donkkaseu $3: 1 piece of pork cutlet
True Coshong Donkkaseu $4: 2 pieces of pork cutlet
Real Coshong Donkkaseu $6: 3 pieces of pork cutlet
Extra rice $0.7
Hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a break from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The easiest way to understand the difference between the basic, True, and Real versions is that the number of pork cutlets increases.
Once you sit down, they take your order right away. My food came out in less than two minutes. Since this place turns tables quickly, it’s a good idea to decide what you want before you walk in.
A few things to know before you go: if your group has an odd number of people, you may have to share a table; water is sold separately; and wet wipes were not provided. Takeout was available starting at $4, which is about $0.70 more than dining in.
So how does the $3 pork cutlet actually taste?
Since I was in Sinchon after a long time and wanted to share this spot with my blog readers, I ordered the basic donkkaseu. It came with rice, miso soup, cabbage, pickled radish, and sesame seeds, and it felt like a complete meal.
For the price, the pork cutlet was surprisingly thick, and the breading had a soft, crisp bite. The meat was seasoned with pepper and a touch of sweetness, so it tasted a little sweeter than a typical Japanese tonkatsu.
I was seriously, deeply satisfied. For $3, I felt genuinely grateful that a place like this still serves a meal with this much quality.
Of course, this isn’t the place to expect the refined flavor of a high-end Japanese tonkatsu specialist. The point here isn’t atmosphere or delicate texture—it’s that you can get a fast, filling, affordable meal. Judged by price alone, the taste made perfect sense to me. If you’re searching for a Sinchon cheap donkkaseu spot, this one absolutely delivers.
No cash? Here’s the closest ATM
Since Coshong Donkkaseu is cash-only, a lot of people end up looking for an ATM nearby. The closest one is about a 10-second walk from the restaurant, right in front of Sinchon Nurungji Whole Chicken.
I had no cash either, so I withdrew money there. With my Toss card, the fee was $0. Still, ATM fees can vary depending on your card and account, so make sure to check the amount shown on the screen before confirming. If you’re planning to visit this Sinchon cheap donkkaseu place, this ATM tip is genuinely useful.
I withdrew $7 and ended up with $4 in cash left over… it had been a while since I’d carried actual bills in my wallet.
[99eats] Nostalgic 1999 Gyeongyang-style King Donkkaseu 350g, 2 types (Original/Cheese), fried whole pork loin
99eats
naver.me
Who I’d recommend this to
This place is a great fit for anyone looking for a lunch under $4 near Sinchon Station, students or office workers who want a quick solo meal, or anyone escaping Hongdae prices in search of a truly budget-friendly food alley. If you’re looking for Sinchon cheap donkkaseu, this is exactly the kind of place worth bookmarking.
On the other hand, if you need card payment, dislike shared seating, or want a slow meal with lots of conversation, this probably isn’t the right spot for you.
I cleaned my plate completely 🙂 No regrets.
Here’s hoping the Sinchon food scene makes a full comeback,
In 2017 it was $2, and in 2026 it was $3. In a Sinchon that has changed in so many ways, Coshong Donkkaseu still seemed committed to prices that put students’ budgets first.
If you’re craving an inexpensive meal and the old-school atmosphere of a longtime university neighborhood more than flashy trendy restaurants, this alley in Sinchon is well worth a walk.
Written by
Jigu Byeol Sigol Jwi, a reading-loving travel and daily life blogger/YouTuber
Thank you.
I’ll keep uploading my travel videos on YouTube, so until next time—happy travels, everyone.
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