The Mecca for Pork Cutlet Enthusiasts! The 'Four Kings' Showdown

Chilgok Truly Is the Pork Cutlet Mecca
Hanmi Restaurant, American Restaurant, Pork Donkatsu, Chef Ai
Roots Tracing Back to the 1950s US Military Presence

On December 7, in Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang Province, the region's four most renowned pork cutlet restaurants-considered a 'mecca' by pork cutlet enthusiasts nationwide-gathered for a legendary showdown.

The Chilgok County branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association held a blind tasting event at Cafe Pami in Waegwan-eup, with Hanmi Restaurant, American Restaurant, Pork Donkatsu, and Chef Ai participating.

Kim Jaewook, Chilgok County Governor, and Sleepy are posing for a commemorative photo holding four servings of Chilgok County pork cutlet. Photo by Kim Ewhan

The event drew significant attention even before it began, simply because the four famous restaurants-known for their long waiting lines-were coming together at the same time and place.

As 25 judges filled the seats, the room was filled with a sense of anticipation and the savory aroma of pork cutlet.

The roots of Chilgok's pork cutlet culture date back to the 1950s, during the era of the United States Forces Korea's presence.

Restaurants serving American soldiers naturally learned Western cooking techniques, which led to the adaptation and development of pork cutlet to suit Korean tastes. At the forefront of this movement is Hanmi Restaurant.

Hanmi Restaurant, which has maintained the same signboard for over 45 years, is both the starting point and symbol of Chilgok pork cutlet. It was the first to gain national fame, winning the grand prize at the '2024 Rest Area Food Festa' for its premium cuisine.

In addition to its signature king-sized pork cutlet, the restaurant's 'Cheese Sinaeso'-inspired by German schnitzel-has been recognized by experts for its outstanding quality.

American Restaurant, which has stood in front of the U.S. military base for 28 years, best preserves the nostalgia of 1990s-style Western cuisine. Its sauce, made by simmering onions and vegetables for hours, is said to taste "just like the pork cutlet my mother used to make," earning it a loyal following.

Pork Donkatsu, a local favorite, is renowned for its origin story. The owner, impressed by a friend's restaurant, learned the recipe firsthand and has continued the tradition, making everything in-house-from brining to the sauce and onion salad-in the old-fashioned way.

It is known as a 'trusted choice' recommended by taxi drivers to tourists.

The rising star Chef Ai has made a name for itself by winning various cooking competitions.

Its signature dish, 'Pizza Pork Cutlet,' was created after the owner's wife, originally from Pohang, asked him to recreate a flavor she enjoyed as a middle school student. After months of research, he succeeded, and his wife's exclamation, "Honey, this is it," became the defining moment for the menu.

On this day, the four restaurants' dishes were served anonymously as A, B, C, and D.

The judges evaluated the dishes based solely on taste, texture, and balance. The announcement for participants was filled within half a day, reflecting the event's popularity.

Kwon Minji, a fourth-year student at Kyungbuk Science University who participated as a judge, said, "For pork cutlet enthusiasts, being able to compare Chilgok's nationally famous pork cutlets in one place is like a dream come true."

Chilgok County ambassador Sleepy also took part in the blind tasting, further energizing the atmosphere.

He commented, "As soon as the unique showdown of tasting all the pork cutlets at once ended, you could tell just by looking at the judges' expressions. I now understand why Chilgok in North Gyeongsang is called the pork cutlet mecca."

Kang Daewoong, head of the association branch, stated, "I hope this competition will help make Chilgok County's diverse restaurants even more widely known."

Kim Jaewook, Chilgok County Governor, remarked, "The flow that began with small restaurants in front of the U.S. military base and continued through generations has created today's unique character. The fact that there are so many foods with such stories is a great charm of Chilgok."