Donkatsu from Gala Chicken (Brown Donkatsu)

I had to run an errand for the Missus recently....She requested something from the Korean Market, so I headed off to H Mart, which didn't have what She wanted. So, as much as I didn't want to; I then went to Zion Market. Where, as my luck would have it, had the product on sale. After an "interesting" incident at the check-out stand (more on that at the end of the post); I decided to treat myself and grab some chicken wings for lunch. I hadn't been to Gala Chicken in a while so I decided to head on over.

I had my sights set on an order of wings; but unfortunately, the really nice guy working....he was very nice, told me that they were out of wings and weren't sure they'd be getting more. My first thought was to just cut my losses and leave; but the gentleman was really nice and I noticed a sign above the counter that I hadn't seen before; "Brown Donkatsu". Hmmmm…...when did Gala start making d(t)onkatsu? Brown is a fairly well known brand in Korea. So, I decided to try the regular pork cutlet ($11.95). After about 15 minutes, my order was ready and I headed home.

The portion size of the cutlet looked quite generous.

The mac salad had been replaced by one made with penne pasta...or maybe they had just run out of macaroni? Regardless, it wasn't quite as sour as before and was seasoned well, nicely chilled, the pasta firm, though was a bit overdressed with mayo.

I think the version of donkatsu here has sealed it for me. I'm not a big fan of the watery, not overly savory typical sauce served with this version of tonkatsu. There's something weird in the texture like they put cream or milk in it? I opened up my bottle of Bulldog Tonkatsu Sauce.

The rice was really mushy as well.

As for the pork...well, this was pounded really thin, so the panko to meat ratio was quite high. However, the breading was uneven, though in terms of temperature control, things must have set-up well since the breading was not separating from the meat. The pork was quite bland and very dry.

I'll pass on this next time...…"give me wings or give me nothing at all...."

Gala Chicken
7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (In the Zion Market Food Court)
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 279-7959
Current Hours:
Wed - Mon 11am - 8pm
Closed on Tuesdays

As for what the Missus needed....well, ahem, I think many husbands will relate to this; She needed "fem hygiene" stuff. Anyway, I hit the jackpot, or something like that at Zion; it was on sale. And me not wanting to repeat this again for a while went and bought six boxes! So, I'm waiting in line with my basket of "stuff", maybe I should have bought other things to help camouflage those boxes, but I didn't. There were two customers in line in front of me; both older Korean women. The one in front of me looks at my basket and says:

"Why you buy so much of that; what you going to do with it?"

I could feel that bead of sweat rolling down the middle of my back as the woman in front of her peers over at what I have in my basket....

My response:

"It's for my wife. And you are really embarrassing me right now!"

The woman in the front starts laughing......

The woman's response?

"Humph.....you don't need to buy so many"

I almost say something like "well, you wouldn't know because you don't have to worry about using this at your age", but I bite my tongue and respond with:

"Well, it's so that I don't have to come back and buy more and have people in line question why I'm buying this....."

Ah yes, just another day standing in line at Zion....where the sign in the produce section says:

I have another similar story; but one much nicer about Paris....hopefully I'll remember to add that to a future post.

Comments

[Elle]

At least the mac salad was decent! I had mac salad at Da Kine's about a month or so ago, and it was watery that day. I would like to try Island Style Cafe some time after reading your recent post there.

You're a great husband! Also, that's good thinking to buy more just in case of an emergency. :) Some older Asian ladies can be nosy or have old-fashion views.. don't mind them. They're probably jealous they didn't have guys run errands for them :P

[Jason]

Lol, korean halmeoni's are very blunt to say the least. Hopefully you got extra "Missus points" for that errand.

[kat]

darn that katsu was super thin:(

[Kirk]

Hi Elle - It was an interesting interaction that's for sure. Hope you get a chance to check out ISC.

So true Jason......as for points; every day starts at zero! ;o)

Really thin Kat....

[Soo]

Better disguise your purchase next time!

I haven't seen any throwing of veggies when I went to Zion...

[Sandy]

Gotta love the nosy Asian old ladies! I think the no samples/no throwing was from their early days at this location. It really was quite a zoo in the produce section back then. I also remember a sign telling you to not break up bunches of bananas.

[Junichi]

Out of wings during lunch time? What's going on?

[RedDevil]

Love my mother in law but, yeah, she can be very direct! You gave me a good laugh, thanks!

[Kirk]

There must be something that made Zion up that sign Soo.

Hi Sandy - They still have that sign up; at least the last time I was in the produce section at Zion.

I dunno Junichi. Wing shortage??

She sounds like a tough customer RD! ;o)

[Janfrederick]

Man, that's hilarious!

[Kirk]

Lol Jan....the things that happen in check-out lines. You remember this one?

https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2007/06/do-you-ever-go-.html

[alnc]

Funny story. Those gals must be the same ones who ram my shopping cart in the aisles. I've seen that sign for years, never seen anybody throw food but why take chances, right? Too bad about the people not wearing masks behind the sign.

[Kirk]

They are probably one in the same ALNC!

[Lynnea]

You've got me cracking up with this post! :D But you are so right, never know what is gonna happen in the checkout line at Zion Market. And I saw that sign in the produce section last time I was there and really wasn't sure if I wanted to know the backstory on that or not...lol

[Kirk]

Let's just call it the "Zion effect" Lynnea! Lol! Hope the both of you are well! Glad to hear from you.