Konkuk Univ. Japanese diner: Fukuoka udon & cold udon sets, Hekbap

With the heat wave going on, I completely lost my appetite. I kept craving something cold, and since I had to go to Konkuk Univ. anyway, I searched for a place there with cold udon. That's how I found Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch (핵밥 건대본점), which sells not just cold udon but all kinds of Japanese dishes.

Where is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch, and is it easy to find?

Hekbap is a Japanese restaurant on the second floor in Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, really close to Konkuk Univ. Station. It took us under 5 minutes on foot, I think. You have to climb stairs since it's on the second floor, but the sign is easy to spot, so it wasn't hard to find.

Is there a wait at lunchtime?

We went a little after lunchtime and got in right away with no wait. That said, I think you might have to wait a bit at the lunch peak, since lots of students and office workers come to the Konkuk area.

What's on the Hekbap menu besides cold udon?

Hekbap has a wide range of Japanese home-style (gajeong) dishes: rice bowls (donburi), ramen and soba, udon, and even Western-style pork cutlets. I picked the salmon and soy-marinated shrimp bowl with bukkake cold udon set. The menu really has so many options! Rice bowls like cube steak, spicy chicken (dakgalbi) and raw salmon, ramen and soba like tonkotsu ramen and mazesoba, and a giant Western-style pork cutlet. I agonized over what to eat for ages.

I usually crave something cold when it's hot, so I went back and forth between the spicy Fukuoka udon and the cold udon, and finally ordered the salmon and soy-marinated shrimp bowl with bukkake cold udon set. My friend ordered the Fukuoka udon with fried chicken set. Ordering was easy: you order and pay at the kiosk on the table.

There was something fun to play with while waiting, too. You ask a question, open a page, and get a random answer, and it even has menu recommendations, so the wait doesn't get boring.

How are the prices and portions at Hekbap?

At Hekbap most dishes start in the ₩10,000 range, and the ramen and udon are about the same. I can't not talk about price, right? Eating out is so expensive these days! But Hekbap is genuinely good value.

The portions were more generous than I expected, and I ate until I was full. Ordering the set (jeongsik) came with side dishes too, so it was a really filling meal. Near Konkuk Univ., this much food at this price must be heaven for students.

What's the atmosphere at Hekbap like, and is it OK for dates or eating solo?

The interior is bright and clean, and the tables are spaced well. Maybe because it's a franchise, the decor is tidy and bright. The spacing was enough that I didn't feel bothered by the next table.

It's good for friends like us, and I saw plenty of couples too. Quite a few people were eating alone, and it doesn't feel awkward to dine solo at all. If you work nearby, it's perfect for lunch with coworkers, since the menu is so varied that everyone can order what they like. The noise level was just right for quiet conversation, so it was comfortable.

What I want to try next at Hekbap

Next time I want to try the cube steak bowl and the mozzarella cheese katsu. We talked about it on the way out and agreed to try other dishes next time. We had udon this time, so now I'm curious about the rice bowls and katsu.

The price is easy on the wallet, the food is good, and the mood is relaxed, so I think I'll come often. There are plenty of places to eat near Konkuk Univ., but Hekbap is definitely one to save on your list. Go solo, with friends, or even on a date, it seems fine. I'm coming to Konkuk Univ. again next week, so I'll stop by again.

A bowl of cold udon when you've lost your appetite settled my stomach and lifted my mood. I'd recommend it to anyone worn out by the summer heat or wanting a light meal. If you're looking for a good-value place near Konkuk Univ., give Hekbap a try.