Konkuk Univ. Japanese restaurant: hot-day bukkake udon set, Hekbap

After shopping and hitting a café in Konkuk, I went looking for a proper filling meal and ended up at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch. I'm a big fan of Japanese food like rice bowls, udon and ramen, so I went in with high hopes, and it turned out to be a place where you can really eat a hearty meal.

Where is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch, and how is the parking?

Hekbap is on the 2nd floor at 127 Neungdong-ro, close to Konkuk Univ. Station, so it's super easy to reach by subway. It's also near Konkuk University, Star City Mall, Lotte Department Store, Common Ground and Children's Grand Park, which makes it a good spot to eat before or after shopping, a date or an outing.

If you're driving, you can use the Lotte Department Store Konkuk parking lot. If you download the department store app you get up to 2 hours of free parking, and the Konkuk University Hospital parking lot is also an option, so coming by car wasn't hard. With this location and access, I could see why Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch stays so popular as a Konkuk Univ. restaurant.

Is the restaurant okay for eating alone?

The hall seats about 80, with generous space between seats and single seats along the window, so eating alone feels comfortable. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was how spacious and pleasant it was. There were plenty of solo diners, and couples, friends and families were visiting too.

What Japanese food can you eat at Hekbap?

Hekbap is a Japanese restaurant where you can try a wide range of dishes in one place: rice bowls (donburi), ramen, soba, udon, curry and katsu (breaded cutlet). I hear the name carries the meaning of "the core meal." With so many options, it was easy to pick by taste.

I also liked that every table has a tablet ordering system, so you can browse the menu slowly and order comfortably. Delivery orders kept coming in the whole time we ate, so I figured this must be a famous delivery spot in the neighborhood. I thought I should try ordering delivery at home next time.

How is the bukkake udon with fried chicken set on a hot day?

It was hot out, so I chose the bukkake udon (cold udon served with a concentrated chilled broth) with fried chicken set, and I was happy with it. The cool broth and chewy udon noodles went well together, and mixing in the soft-boiled egg made it even richer and nuttier.

The bukkake udon was savory and refreshing at the same time, which made it perfect for hot weather.

The udon noodles are so springy!!

The fried chicken that came with it was crispy outside and juicy inside, and dipping it in its own sauce was really good. The udon and fried chicken combo works so well that I'd definitely recommend it if you visit Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch in summer.

How was the pork jowl rice bowl set my friend chose?

My friend ordered the pork jowl rice bowl set. It came as a neat full tray and looked really appetizing.

Maybe because the pork jowl is grilled as soon as you order, it had a subtle smoky, fire-grilled flavor and the meat was really tender.

The pork jowl bowl is made by pan-searing the meat at 200 degrees the moment you order, and you could taste the rich juices and the char.

The special sauce soaked in well and gave it great savory depth, and the slightly spicy seasoning meant you could eat it to the end without getting tired of it.

As a set meal, the pork jowl rice bowl set also came with udon, fried chicken and salad, so it was a really filling meal. Eating the rice and meat together was very satisfying.

Is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch a good meal after shopping or a date in Konkuk?

If you want a hearty meal after shopping or a date in Konkuk, I recommend Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch!! The spacious, pleasant interior, the variety of Japanese-style dishes and the generous set meals all satisfied me. Thanks to the atmosphere that's comfortable even if you come alone, the quick ordering system and the tasty food, it's a place I want to revisit. Enjoy a filling meal at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch, where you can try rice bowls, udon and ramen!!