Konkuk Univ. rice bowls for two under ₩30,000: smoky daechang, Hekbap

This is my honest review of Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch (핵밥 건대본점), a great-value spot near Konkuk Univ. I went to Hekbap, which is good for eating solo or with a group, and it's such good value!!!

Where is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch, and how do you park?

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is about a 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of Konkuk Univ. Station, so it's easy to reach. It's on the 2nd floor and wasn't hard to find!

There's no dedicated parking lot, but if you use the Lotte Department Store Konkuk Star City lot, you get up to 2 hours of free parking through the department store app. The Konkuk University Hospital lot is also an option: 30 minutes free, then ₩500 per 10 minutes. A note for those coming by car.

There are lots of restaurants in Konkuk, but it's a bit noisy and busy, so I always struggle to decide what to eat. That day I wanted a proper, filling meal, so I went to Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch near Konkuk Univ. Station. It was one of those days when I was craving rice bowls and curry, haha. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

It's a quick walk from Konkuk Univ. Station, so it was easy to get to. It's on the 2nd floor, and the menu is shown on the way up.

What's the atmosphere like, and is it OK for eating alone?

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is much bigger than I expected, and the moment I walked in I thought, oh, this is nice..! The tables are spaced generously and everything looks clean, so it never felt cramped.

Quite a few people were eating alone, and there were friends, couples and families too. It's not awkward at all to come alone, so it felt comfortable, and it's also good for chatting over a meal.

How do you order, and what did we order?

You order on the tablet at each table, and the menu has good photos, so choosing was easy.

The menu is so varied that I agonized for ages, haha. I wanted a rice bowl, and ramen, and udon too...

This time we ordered the meat-heaped curry rice bowl, the Hanwoo daechang (beef small intestine) rice bowl, a mini okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake) and a review-event drink!

• Meat-heaped curry rice bowl
• Hanwoo daechang rice bowl
• Mini okonomiyaki
• Review-event drink

We ordered all that and the bill for two came to under ₩30,000. Considering restaurant prices these days, that's really good, right? The portions are generous and the price is friendly, so top value! I'm so hungry I feel dizzy.

At the self-serve bar, you can have unlimited danmuji (pickled radish) and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi)!

How was the meat-heaped curry rice bowl?

As the name says, the meat-heaped curry rice bowl at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch really came with plenty of meat. I tried this one first.

The curry isn't too harsh, it's rich yet smooth, so my spoon kept going back for more. The meat was tender and blended well with the seasoning! I think curry lovers will be satisfied.

The tteok (rice cakes) and salad that came as sides were insanely good too.

Hanwoo daechang rice bowl: a must-try if you love daechang

The best thing I ate at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch that day was the Hanwoo daechang rice bowl..! The daechang wasn't tough, it was chewy and had a really nice nutty richness.

It had just the right smoky char flavor too, and it went so well with the rice. The greasiness daechang usually has wasn't heavy, so I enjoyed it to the last bite. If you like daechang, definitely try this one, haha.

The Hanwoo daechang rice bowl came with side dishes as well.

Is the side mini okonomiyaki worth ordering?

The mini okonomiyaki at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch was better than I expected. It's a side, so I didn't expect much, but it was quite substantial. The sweet sauce and katsuobushi (bonito flakes) go well together, so it was perfect to nibble between bites of the mains. Having something like this makes the meal feel richer, haha.

Who is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch good for?

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is spacious and pleasant, the food is tasty and the prices aren't a burden, so it was a satisfying meal. The friendly staff also responded right away whenever we needed anything, so we felt good the whole time we were there.

It's good for a casual meal with a friend, fine as a date spot, and the tables are wide, so I'd recommend it for group gatherings too. If you're looking for a good-value Japanese restaurant in Konkuk or a place for a hearty meal, give it a visit. Next time I plan to go back for the ramen and mazesoba (brothless mixed noodles), haha.