Konkuk Japanese diner after a movie, fried cheese rice cake: Hekbap

Hekbap is famous as the place Konkuk students go when a senior treats them to a meal. I came here a lot as a freshman, and since I was back around Konkuk University Station to see a movie with a friend, I finally revisited Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch (핵밥 건대본점) after a long time.

Location and hours of Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is a Konkuk-area favorite right by the university's middle gate, a Japanese restaurant with a wide, tasty menu. It is open daily 11:00–21:00, with a break from 15:00 to 16:30 and last order at 20:30. There is no parking, and it is 277m from Konkuk University Station Exit 2.

How to find Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch

It is super easy to find: just cross one crosswalk from the Konkuk middle gate and it is right at the start of the street. It is in the building next to Cafe Tuttotonto (투또톤토), and you go up through the right-hand door of the claw machine shop to reach the 2nd floor.

As the sign at the entrance shows, Hekbap specializes in Japanese home-style rice bowls (donburi) and ramen. It started in Seongsu-dong, did well, and now has several branches across the country.

Is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch OK for eating alone?

There is a solo-dining zone by the window, so eating alone feels not awkward at all and the mood is relaxed. There are plenty of 2-person and 4-person tables too, so any group size works.

As always, the interior is so clean and pleasant! A tidy yet warm atmosphere is Hekbap's trademark. As you can see in the photos, the place is huge with lots of seats. It looks good for family meals, friends, dates, and solo dining alike.

There are aprons hanging on one wall. Little touches like this seem to create Hekbap's neat, polished feel.

Menu and how to order at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch

Every seat has a tablet, so you can order easily from your table. There were so many hearty options: rice bowls, ramen, soba, udon, curry, katsu and more. After agonizing with my friend over what to eat, we ordered the pork jowl rice bowl and the mazesoba (soupless mixed noodles).

A neat, tidy spread on one tray.

The mazesoba

The mazesoba was my friend's order. It looks great~ and the noodles are really plump and chewy, pairing so well with the sauce that you end up finishing every bite.

What's in the pork jowl rice bowl, and how it tastes

The pork jowl rice bowl was mine, and even the single item comes with a salad and soup. Pork jowl, king oyster mushroom, onion and green onion were cut to a similar size, with one cherry tomato and one chili pepper in the middle.

Following the "how to enjoy" instructions, I scooped the rice first and then put the pork jowl on top. The pork jowl was cooked chewy and juicy, and its spicy kick cuts through the richness. The toppings were quite generous, so it stayed hearty until the very end.

A rice bowl that wakes up your appetite with a spicy, nutty flavor.. even I, who can't handle anything too greasy, finished it all without leaving a single bit of side dish, since it's spicy and savory.

Dessert: fried cheese rice cake

As always when I come to Hekbap, I finished with the chewy, sweet fried cheese rice cake drizzled with honey, haha. It was such a tasty, filling meal that I recommend Hekbap Konkuk.

I was too lazy to take part, but it seems you can get a drink if you write a Naver photo review. There is also a Wi-Fi QR code on the tablet at every table.

Is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch worth going back to?

If you want a carefully made meal with healthy ingredients in the ₩10,000 range per person, I recommend Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch. The staff were friendly, and the food came out faster than I expected, which was nice.

The interior is clean and pleasant, and with so many kinds of rice dishes you can eat something different every day!! It even made me want to come eat alone. If you're looking for a good rice bowl place near Konkuk, it's worth a visit. The location is great too, so it's easy to stop by after hanging out nearby or seeing a movie.