Konkuk Univ. rice bowls: shishito cube steak & chicken curry, Hekbap

Today I'm bringing you a story about Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch (핵밥 건대본점), a true rice bowl (donburi) spot that shines proudly among the countless restaurants near Konkuk Univ. Station. If you've been curious because of all the word of mouth, or you want a hearty meal in a hip atmosphere, listen up!!

What does the outside of Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch look like?

Hekbap is a "homestyle rice bowl & ramen restaurant" on the 2nd floor of a white-toned building in the middle of Konkuk Univ. The stylish white and yellow look catches your eye from the outside.

Since it sits on the 2nd floor of a clean white building, it stands out even more against the yellow claw machine shop on the 1st floor. The clear "homestyle rice bowl & ramen" sign and modern design build up your expectations for the inside.

Where is Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch and how do you get there?

The address is 127 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 2nd floor. It's about 188 m, a 3-minute walk, from Exit 3 of Konkuk Univ. Station (Lines 2 and 7), so access is excellent.

Opening hours and waiting at Hekbap

Hekbap is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with break time from 15:00 to 16:30 and last order at 20:30. As a popular restaurant, there may be a wait at lunch and dinner peak times.

It's a good idea to check real-time info on the Naver Map app or to arrive a little early.

Is the inside good for solo meals and dates?

With tables for 2 and 4 plus a window bar table, the layout works for both solo diners and dates. It balances hip vibes with warmth, and when you climb the stairs to the 2nd floor, a spacious, pleasant room opens up.

Varied seating

Besides tables for 2 and 4, there's a bar table facing the window, so solo diners can eat comfortably.

Stylish lighting

A chic chandelier, track lighting and warm pendant lights come together: bright and cheerful by day, softly moody in the evening. Perfect for a date, right?

Open kitchen

You can watch the food being cooked with energy, which builds trust.

What did I order at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch?

Hekbap is famous for its "meat-heaped rice bowls," but there's also ramen, soba, katsu and more, so you have plenty of choice. Here's what I ordered!! A cube steak rice bowl set and a fried chicken curry rice bowl set.

Cube steak rice bowl (set)

Juicy cube steak in harmony with grilled vegetables.

Fried chicken curry rice bowl (set)

Chewy chicken meeting a subtle curry aroma.

How did Hekbap's cube steak rice bowl taste?

The cube steak rice bowl at Hekbap was a paradise for meat lovers: juicy steak soaked in a sweet-salty sauce, with shishito peppers (kkwari gochu) cutting the richness. This is our first star.

Looks

Glossy steak, golden-grilled green onion, onion, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and spicy shishito peppers too!! The generous toppings overwhelm the eyes.

Taste

The steak is full of juice, and the more you chew, the more savory it gets. The sweet-salty sauce soaks into the meat and rice for a fantastic match. The grilled vegetables add a crisp texture, and the sharp bite of the shishito peppers cleanly cuts the richness the meat could otherwise have.

How was Hekbap's fried chicken curry rice bowl set?

The second order was the fried chicken curry rice bowl set: crispy fried chicken and rich curry together, yet with a clean aftertaste. It passed the test from the moment it arrived neatly arranged on a tray. Along with the main curry rice bowl, the sides that whet your appetite make the set very full.

Let's start with the star, the fried chicken curry rice bowl. Can't you feel the crunch of the freshly fried chicken just by looking? It's generously covered in deep, rich curry, so the sauce soaks into every grain of rice.

Scoop up a big spoonful with the fried chicken, and the crisp outside, juicy inside and mellow curry come together in a party in your mouth.

And this fried chicken!! It's good on its own, but dipped lightly in the curry sauce the flavor gets much deeper. It's not greasy and the aftertaste is clean, so I never got tired of it, right to the last bite.

Who would I recommend Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch to?

I strongly recommend Hekbap to anyone near Konkuk Univ. looking for a light but high-quality meal. It was a really satisfying meal today too.

If you can't decide what to eat and want a safe choice, definitely visit Hekbap in Konkuk Univ.!! A neat bowl of rice enjoyed in a warm atmosphere will recharge you with happy energy.