Seocho self-service gimbap restaurant with MSG-free tteokbokki: Halls
In short
Halls Gimbap Main Branch is a gimbap and bunsik (Korean snack food) restaurant on Seocho-jungang-ro, between Gyodae Station and Gangnam Station in Seoul. Everything at Halls Gimbap is self-service: you order at the kiosk by the entrance, pick up your tray when your number is called, help yourself to bonito broth, danmuji (pickled radish) and spoons at the self-serve bar, then return the dishes and sort the food waste yourself. The spam gimbap set and the Seocho nurungji (crispy scorched rice) tteokbokki are made without MSG, so the seasoning tastes light and clean rather than salty.
Good to know
- Location
- 90 Seocho-jungang-ro 22-gil, 1st floor, Unit 101, Seocho-gu, Seoul (6–7 min walk from Gyodae, Gangnam or Seocho Station)
- Ordering
- Self-service kiosk at the entrance, card payment, no staff order
- Self-serve bar
- Free bonito broth refills; spoons, danmuji (pickled radish) and broth all self-serve
- How it works
- Collect your food yourself when your number is called, then return dishes at the bussing station and sort the food waste
- Ordered
- Dakgangjeong (crispy sweet fried chicken) and spam gimbap set, Seocho nurungji tteokbokki
as written by the visitor on Sep 16, 2026
I stopped by Halls Gimbap Main Branch, a well-known spot near Gyodae Station, sitting right between Gyodae and Gangnam Station. Whenever I'm rushing through a busy day, my go-to quick meal is usually just a sandwich or a salad, which always leaves me a bit unsatisfied. But this place had a whole lineup of menu items that felt both filling and genuinely wholesome — haha!
Where Halls Gimbap is and how to walk there from Gyodae Station
Halls Gimbap is on Seocho-jungang-ro 22-gil in Seocho-gu, and no matter which station you get off at — Seocho, Gyodae, or Gangnam — it's about a 6–7 minute walk to reach it!
How fast is kiosk ordering during the lunch rush?
At the entrance of this Gyodae Station favorite, there's a kiosk set up for orders. Through the self-payment system, you can see the entire menu and prices at a glance the moment you walk in and order directly.
The ordering steps are laid out intuitively, so choosing your menu and paying goes fast. That cuts down on wait times, so it runs smoothly even during the crowded lunch hour.
Inside Halls Gimbap and the bonito broth self-serve bar
Halls Gimbap has tables set up inside, but the ratio of takeout and delivery orders was noticeably high!
A distinctive feature of this gimbap spot near Gyodae Station is that it doesn't use MSG. At the self-bar, you can freely refill bonito broth to drink, which made things convenient.
The full self-service flow, from pickup to sorting food waste
The basic service system at Halls Gimbap is entirely self-service!
After ordering, you check the call number shown on your number ticket and pick up your food yourself at the pickup counter. Spoons, danmuji, and broth — the basic sides and items needed for the meal — are also set out separately at the self-bar, so you grab what you need yourself.
Once you finish eating, you have to carry your used dishes and tray to the designated bussing area yourself. The whole flow, from ordering to pickup to cleanup, is built around a self-service system, so keep that in mind if you visit.
Food waste also has to be sorted and disposed of yourself! It helps to know this operating system before you visit.
What comes in the spam gimbap and dakgangjeong set
The menu I tried this time at Halls Gimbap was a dakgangjeong and spam gimbap set, along with the Seocho nurungji tteokbokki.
Inside the spam gimbap, you can see thickly sliced spam packed in together with crunchy cucumber and a moist rolled egg. Instead of standard danmuji or typical fillings, the combination centers on cucumber and rolled egg, balancing sweet-savory flavor with a light, clean taste.
Looking at the cross-section of the gimbap, the ingredients are evenly distributed rather than clumped to one side, giving it a neatly arranged look. The spam is seasoned lightly, not too salty, and its flavor blends with the cucumber's freshness for a balanced texture.
What does the Seocho nurungji tteokbokki taste like without MSG?
The Seocho nurungji tteokbokki that comes with it has crispy nurungji added on top. It comes with one egg and fish cake as the basic components, making for a tidy, enjoyable serving. It felt less intense in flavor and more focused on the natural taste of the ingredients themselves.
This is good info for anyone who prefers a less intense style, since no MSG is added.
If you're looking for a food combo that's clean and not too salty, this is worth checking out. The overall menu lineup was also varied, giving plenty of choices.
Takeout, delivery and tips for visiting Halls Gimbap
Halls Gimbap is a restaurant with active takeout and delivery, so there were plenty of takeout customers too. If you check the self-bussing system and the overall flow in advance, using the restaurant becomes much easier. The location is convenient to reach, making it an easy stop if you're passing through the area.
If you're looking for a place to eat near Gyodae Station or Gangnam Station, keep this in mind.
Checking the self-service system and menu lineup
ahead of time will help. That wraps up this guide to Halls Gimbap Main Branch and its menu!
Where it is
90 Seocho-jungang-ro 22-gil, 1st floor, Unit 101, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 서초구 서초중앙로22길 90 1층 101호
