Mapo brunch spot with solo seats and tomato omurice: HEOD Gongdeok

On a Friday lunch, I went to HEOD Gongdeok for brunch. The Gongdeok area was unfamiliar to me, so I planned to eat brunch near Daeheung Station, which has plenty of pretty cafés, before heading over. The Mapo branch, freshly opened in late July, is HEOD's fourth location, and I arrived around 12:30pm that day.

• Daily 11:00-21:00 (B.T. 15:30-17:00 / L.O. 19:50)
• Naver Reservation (call ahead for parties of 6+)
• Daeheung Station Exit 4
• Gwangseong Middle-High School bus stop (5-min walk)
• Sinsu public parking lot (₩2,400 per 30 min)

How to reach HEOD Gongdeok from Daeheung Station Exit 4

To get to HEOD Gongdeok, walk out of Daeheung Station Exit 4 toward Gyeongui Line Forest Trail (경의선숲길). Following the trail, I spotted the olive-colored sign and got there without any trouble finding my way.

When I saw the sign and stepped inside, the place was packed with customers — I wondered if this was a Daeheung Station brunch spot everyone but me already knew about.

HEOD Gongdeok sits right across from Gyeongui Line Forest Trail. Window seats opened up starting the day I visited, so I could eat while looking out at the lush green trail.

There's also one outdoor table, so on a nice day it'd be lovely to eat French toast outside.

Inside HEOD Gongdeok: light green and olive tones, with solo seats

The interior of HEOD Gongdeok is decorated mainly in light green, olive, and cream. The colors aren't overly vivid or flashy but a warm tone, so it was easy on the eyes even after sitting a while. Seating is split between a curved bar counter facing the kitchen, solo seats, and group tables.

Since last week, the windows and doors have been left wide open, opening the space right up toward the trail. Even from the inner seats, the green scenery was fairly clear, so I kept glancing outside while eating. That said, since it's right next to the road, you might occasionally lock eyes with passing cars or pedestrians — a little awkward moment now and then.

I was seated at a solo seat toward the back. The open window let in a nice cool breeze, but small bugs occasionally flew in too. Since the space directly borders the trail, it's worth knowing that in advance.

How busy is HEOD Gongdeok at 12:30pm on a Friday?

I arrived at HEOD Gongdeok around 12:30pm on a Friday, and even the outdoor table was full. I ordered via the QR code on the table, and both the kitchen and floor staff were clearly running at full speed, probably because it overlapped with lunch rush.

On the day I visited, the crowd thinned out around 1:30pm and the restaurant got a bit more relaxed. If you want a calmer brunch, that time slot is worth keeping in mind. During peak lunch hours, it's a good idea to factor in both seating availability and how long food might take to come out.

What I ordered at HEOD Gongdeok

That day I ordered the HEOD omurice (₩18,800) with mashed potato added (₩5,500). The orange juice came free through a photo review event.

HEOD omurice, 18,800 won

The HEOD omurice arrives as fried rice topped with egg, served together with sauce, sausage, and toppings.

With green, yellow, and red all on one plate, the colors were vibrant and the visual was pretty. I asked to have the peperoncino left out, and spice level can be adjusted to taste.

The egg had a soft bite without feeling overcooked, staying moist. The fried rice was packed with ingredients, giving it good texture, and the tomato-based sauce suited my taste for tangy flavors well.

Above all, the sausage really carried the dish — no off smell or floury taste, just soft with a slight springy bite. It passed the test.

With the soft texture of the egg plus the tangy sauce and sausage, no single flavor overwhelmed the rest. I also liked that you can choose your spice level, whether you barely handle spicy food or love it hot. With all those bright colors added in, it was a plate that was fun to look at too.

Mashed potato add-on, 5,500 won

I added the mashed potato for ₩5,500. Omurice with mashed potato was a first-time combo for me — it had a thick texture as if cheese were mixed in, slightly stretching when scooped with a spoon. It was quite hot, past just warm, so as someone who loves potato dishes, I spread it over the omurice.

The texture landed somewhere between fluffy mashed potato and smoothly puréed potato. It had a plain, cozy flavor that paired well with the tangy tomato sauce. Adding the potato made for a heartier lunch than the omurice alone.

What else is on the HEOD Gongdeok menu

HEOD Gongdeok's menu spans Korean-Western fusion dishes, desserts, coffee, wine, and highballs. The fall menu included fig French toast, which you can pair with a highball or wine. It works well whether you just come for a meal during brunch hours or, on a cooler day, follow it up with dessert and coffee.

What the name HEOD means

HEOD (해옫) is a name meaning "the sun rising." Like the sun rising above the clouds, the idea is that guests spend warm, comfortable, and pleasant time here. The space, done up in light green, olive, and cream tones, ties into that image well.

Booking HEOD Gongdeok: forest-trail window seats are first come, first served

HEOD Gongdeok takes Naver reservations. Bookings are split into 1-2 people and 5-6 people, and parties of 6 or more should call ahead. It suits friends, family, and couples' dates as well as larger gatherings like coworker meetups or wedding invitation get-togethers.

Window seats with a view of Gyeongui Line Forest Trail are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis by reservation. If you have a seat preference, leaving a note when booking will get it reflected as much as possible. If you want a window seat, it's best to check ahead.

A few things to check before booking: reservations are marked as no-shows 10 minutes after the booked time. If there's a wait, you can stay for up to 1 hour 30 minutes. Further questions can be confirmed by phone or Instagram DM.

The photo review event at HEOD Gongdeok

Leaving a photo review gets you an orange juice or an Americano. Showing proof of an anniversary gets a lettering plate, and a birthday gets a mini cake. For birthday and anniversary perks, you have to choose either the cake or the lettering, not both. Visiting with a child gets you an orange juice too. The fruit-shaped notice board also had explanations in Chinese and English.

Dogs and corkage at HEOD Gongdeok

HEOD Gongdeok welcomes pets. However, vaccinations are required, and you'll need to bring a stroller or dog carrier. If you're visiting with a pet, don't forget this!

Corkage is listed at ₩20,000 per bottle. Soju and beer are excluded from corkage. If your group is bringing wine, it's worth double-checking before you visit.

Is HEOD Gongdeok worth it for a Gongdeok brunch?

If you're searching for a Gongdeok brunch spot and come across HEOD Gongdeok, keep in mind that Gyeongui Line Forest Trail is right out front. A stroll along the trail after your meal makes for a nice little course. It works for dates as well as outings with friends or family.

Daeheung Station brunch: the omurice at HEOD Gongdeok

The dish that stuck with me most from this visit was the HEOD omurice. I came during lunch hours and the place was so full it was hard to find a seat.

You can fill up on brunch and then add dessert or coffee, or pair it with wine or a highball. It felt easy to recommend whether you're grabbing brunch with a friend, going on a date, or visiting with family. On a day when you're having brunch at Daeheung Station before heading elsewhere, this is one to keep in mind.