Brand Story

Kasando is a brand that reinterprets classic Japanese dishes with a contemporary touch. The name itself already reflects the signature dishes where Kasando is a combination of katsu(cutlet), kare(curry), and sando(sandwich). Originally starting in Bundang, Kasando has since expanded to several locations in Seoul including Sinsa, Magok and Hyehwa.

Location

5 Dosan-daero 8-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul
Kasando Sinsa

Kasando Sinsa Branch is about a five-minute walk from Exit 1 of Sinsa Station (Line 3). Conveniently situated right across from Garosugil and also close to Apgujeong, it’s a great spot to drop by for a casual lunch or dinner.

Directions from Sinsa Station to Kasando

1. From Exit 1 of Sinsa Station, walk straight for 100m
2. Once you reach Dosan-daero-8-gil, turn right
3. Walk another 40 meters and Kasando Sinsa Branch will be on your left

Menu & Pricing

Kasando’s menu mainly consists of different types of tonkatsu (including pork loin, tenderloin and cheese), curry, udon, and sando(sandwiches). The set meals come with rice and miso soup, with prices averaging around 15,000 KRW—quite reasonable for Sinsa and Apgujeong.

Another highlight is the wide selection of side dishes including ebi katsu(fried shrimp), croquettes and curry. This allows you to mix and match to create your own DIY meals instead of ordering a set or combo.

What I Ordered

My hungry boyfriend went all extra and ordered the Maze Soba Katsu Set and added an extra piece of ebi katsu. Maze soba, a Japanese-style dry noodle dish, reminded me of the Chinese dandanmian but without the peanut flavor. The minced meat sauce was sweet&savoury while the raw egg yolk on top added a rich, creamy texture. A small bowl of rice was served on the side, allowing us to mix the remaining sauce with rice for an extra satisfying finish.

The pork tenderloin katsu, cut into thick round slices, was tender and juicy. But I was slightly disappointed that they weren’t served with any salt and wasabi, which are typically paired with Japanese katsu. While dipping the katsu in tonkatsu sauce was fine, I would have preferred the option of eating it with just salt to fully enjoy the meat’s natural flavor.

The Tamago Sando(Japanese egg sandwich) came in three thick pieces and the portion was bigger than what I’d expected. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Japanese-style tamago sando, it is a simple sandwich with sweet egg roll between soft white bread. While the overall flavor was pleasant, it wasn’t as moist or creamy as I had hoped and the sauce was a bit underwhelming. I feel like the flavor could have been more authentic if they had added wasabi mayo.

To prevent any blood sugar spike(🤫), I ordered a cabbage salad on the side, which turned out to be a great decision. Japanese restaurants tend to serve the best shredded cabbage salads and Kasando was no exception with their fluffy cabbage. I also liked that the cabbage wasn’t drenched in sauce (with the dressing provided separately on the table), allowing me to enjoy the freshness of the cabbage on its own.

Vibe & Atmosphere

Kasando Sinsa Branch is relatively small, but the layout is well-organized with a mix of table and counter-style seating. The bar seat would also be great in the evening for a relaxed meal with draft beer.

The interior features a sleek beige-tone design with high ceilings, creating a cozy atmosphere. When we visited on a Sunday afternoon, the restaurant was quite chill with most guests being either couples or solo diners. Though it was great for a calm dining experience, it might feel slightly awkward for those in bigger/louder groups of friends or colleagues.