# Gongdeok salad shop office lunch: mala beef tofu noodle, Why Starve

- By Yuna Pyo (https://superchart.com/en/@hongdae-narrow-stool/)
- Written Sep 14, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This post was written after a visit where the meal was provided by the restaurant.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@hongdae-narrow-stool/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@hongdae-narrow-stool/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/index.md)

## In short

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is a high-protein salad and protein box shop on basement level 1 of the Lotte Castle President complex, right by Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. The order on this visit was the mala beef tofu noodle protein box with wasabi mayo sauce, packed for the office: the mala sauce clung well to the tofu noodles and the beef was tender with no gamey smell. Between the solo dining seats and the prepayment event, Why Starve makes a simple but filling weekday lunch near Gongdeok Station.

## Good to know

- **Location**: B131, Basement 1F, Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Gongdeok Station Exit 2, connected to the subway)
- **Hours**: 10:00–22:00; weekends until 20:30
- **Parking**: Mall parking lot available (set navigation to "Lotte Premium Food Market Gongdeok" — not the apartment or hotel parking)
- **Chicken menu**: Chicken Light 7,900 won / Chicken Pasta and Chicken Oat 8,900 won / Chicken Tofu Noodle and Chicken Cauliflower Rice 9,900 won
- **Smoked duck menu**: Smoked Duck Light 9,900 won / Smoked Duck Pasta and Smoked Duck Oat 10,900 won / Smoked Duck Tofu Noodle and Smoked Duck Cauliflower Rice 11,900 won
- **Beef menu**: Beef Light 12,900 won / Beef Pasta and Beef Oat 13,900 won / Beef Tofu Noodle and Beef Cauliflower Rice 14,900 won
- **What's in a box**: Chicken, duck, beef or salmon as the main plus salad as standard, with a base of pasta, oat, tofu noodle or cauliflower rice
- **Protein**: Every menu option includes at least 150g of meat
- **Ordered on this visit**: Mala beef tofu noodle protein box with wasabi mayo sauce

*as written by the visitor on Sep 14, 2026*

I'm a working mom in Mapo. I bet a lot of you have made dieting a permanent lifestyle like me, haha. I used to be super skinny too... dieting really is a lifelong thing, I guess. Anyway, lately I like keeping lunch simple, so let me introduce a salad spot I go to a lot near Gongdeok Station: Why Starve.

![Introduction photo of Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch near Gongdeok Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-01-167kt-900.webp)

## Where is Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch? Parking and hours

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is at B131, basement 1F, Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It's in the basement of the Lotte Castle building at Gongdeok Station Exit 2. It's directly connected to the subway station, so it's great for grabbing a quick bite!

For parking, you can use the mall's parking lot. Search "Lotte Premium Food Market Gongdeok" in your navigation. Make sure you go into the mall's parking, not the apartment or hotel parking! Once you're in the basement 1F arcade, the orange storefront stands out, so it's not hard to find.

Hours are 10:00 to 22:00, and on weekends it runs until 20:30.

> A salad spot near Gongdeok Station: Why Starve

![Storefront of Why Starve in the basement mall of Lotte Castle President](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-02-fzv5j-900.webp)

![Exterior of Why Starve located in the underground arcade of Gongdeok Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-03-dqobk-900.webp)

I always eat lunch a bit after the typical lunch rush, so I had plenty of room.

![Interior of Why Starve, quiet after the lunch rush](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-04-bnw9a-900.webp)

![Near the ordering counter at Why Starve Gongdeok Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-05-mo0ny-900.webp)

![Takeout and delivery orders being handled at Why Starve](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-06-uj8zo-900.webp)

I noticed a lot of people picking up takeout or delivery orders too.

## Solo dining seats at Why Starve Gongdeok

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is really good for eating alone. There are tables for groups, but also plenty of seats for solo diners, so you can eat comfortably without feeling self-conscious.

![Solo dining seats at Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-07-1j0lr-900.webp)

I usually eat lunch alone, so I'm always on the hunt for restaurants good for solo dining. That's part of why I come to Why Starve so often.

![Group table seating at Why Starve](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-08-1ygvh-900.webp)

![Interior of Why Starve with seats for solo diners](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-09-1ahcn-900.webp)

## Why Starve menu and prices near Gongdeok Station

![Menu and price board at Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-10-ebqmj-900.webp)

- Chicken Light ₩7,900
- Chicken Pasta / Chicken Oat ₩8,900
- Chicken Tofu Noodle / Chicken Cauliflower Rice ₩9,900
- Smoked Duck Light ₩9,900
- Smoked Duck Pasta / Smoked Duck Oat ₩10,900
- Smoked Duck Tofu Noodle / Smoked Duck Cauliflower Rice ₩11,900
- Beef Light ₩12,900
- Beef Pasta / Beef Oat ₩13,900
- Beef Tofu Noodle / Beef Cauliflower Rice ₩14,900

![Sign showing chicken, duck, beef, and salmon main options](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-11-1ko84-900.webp)

The main menu is a base salad plus your choice of chicken, duck, beef, or salmon, and then you pick a base of pasta, oat, tofu noodle, or cauliflower rice.

![Sign for choosing between pasta, oat, tofu noodle, or cauliflower rice bases](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-12-ow54b-900.webp)

## At least 150g of meat in every protein box

Whatever menu you pick at Why Starve, it comes with over 150g of meat.

![Poster explaining the over-150g-of-meat, high-protein composition](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-13-13g91-842.webp)

I'm sure I'm not the only one who still wants to make sure I get enough protein even when eating simply. I've been eating whatever I'm craving that day without worrying about protein. If you're curious about the nutrition facts, check the photo below.

![Nutrition facts table for each Why Starve menu item](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-14-x6cao-900.webp)
*Tap to enlarge*

## The prepayment event at Why Starve Gongdeok

![Notice about the prepayment event at Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-15-xi31i-900.webp)

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is currently running a prepayment event. I noticed a lot of people using it like a cafeteria pass, coming in every day after prepaying.

![Posting explaining how to use prepayment like a cafeteria pass](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-16-1xi3s-900.webp)

## Mala beef tofu noodle protein box with wasabi mayo, packed for the office

I usually get chicken pasta, but today I was torn between beef with pasta or something else. Since I wanted even a bit more protein, I went with beef plus tofu noodle. I figured mala would go really well with tofu noodle, so I picked the new mala salad, and for the sauce I went with the recommended wasabi mayo. :)

![Takeout bag with the packed mala beef tofu noodle protein box](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-17-d4jr0-900.webp)

![Packed protein box with wasabi mayo sauce chosen](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-18-pj6ne-900.webp)

I packed it up to eat at the office today, and I was so hungry. I opened it up the second I got to my desk!

![Mala beef tofu noodle protein box opened at the office](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-19-17ddq-900.webp)

There's beef piled generously on top, with tofu noodles laid underneath. The mala sauce went surprisingly well with the tofu noodles — I kept going back for more.

![Protein box with beef piled on top of tofu noodles](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-20-iws7z-900.webp)

My stress levels were pretty high today, and I still had to stick to my diet, haha. This mala sauce blew all that stress away.

![Tofu noodle salad mixed with mala sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-21-1hkln-900.webp)

True to the name Why Starve, you feel full and satisfied once you finish it. Who even diets by starving anymore... :)

![A filling meal from the finished Why Starve protein box](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-22-1y9jh-900.webp)

![Close-up of tender beef slices](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-23-8tkgm-900.webp)

The beef was tender with no gamey smell either, which I really appreciated — I'm one of those people who can't eat meat if there's any gamey taste at all.

![Mala beef tofu noodle protein box from Why Starve near Gongdeok Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle-24-1lh8w-m-1200.webp)

If you want a meal that's simple but still filling, I recommend Why Starve near Gongdeok Station.

## Where it is

- Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch (와이스타브 다이어트 공덕본점)
- B131, basement 1F, Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 마포구 마포대로 109 롯데캐슬프레지던트 지하1층 B131호
- 37.5447098, 126.9504093
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%99%80%EC%9D%B4%EC%8A%A4%ED%83%80%EB%B8%8C%20%EB%8B%A4%EC%9D%B4%EC%96%B4%ED%8A%B8%20%EA%B3%B5%EB%8D%95%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5447098,126.9504093,17z

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Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@hongdae-narrow-stool/gongdeok-whystarve-mara-beef-tofu-noodle/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt