Hwagok-dong home-style Japanese set meals with croquette: Hekbap

Today I'm sharing a review from Hekbap, a place famous in Seongsu-dong for its rice bowls and ramen, after hearing they'd opened a branch near Kkachisan Station — I just had to see what the fuss was about.

Hekbap Kkachisan Branch: address and opening hours

Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is at 35 Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 2nd floor, really close to Exit 3 of Kkachisan Station (Line 2/5). It's open daily 11:00–21:00 with a break from 15:00–16:30, and there's free Wi-Fi and baby chairs too.

How to get there from Kkachisan Station Exit 3

As you can see on the map, it's right out of Kkachisan Station Exit 3. If you're not sure where to go on your first visit, just look for the Lotteria! Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is on the 2nd floor above it, so it was easier to find than I expected. No long walk from the subway station needed, which makes it great for a lunch visit haha.

Is Hekbap Kkachisan Branch good for solo diners and kids?

The first thing I noticed walking into Hekbap Kkachisan Branch was two baby chairs. When you're eating out with a young child, checking for baby chairs is the first thing you do, so having them ready makes this a much easier place to visit as a family.

And personally, what I liked was the seating facing the window! Instead of tables set facing each other, they're arranged so you look out the window, which made it feel not too awkward to visit alone. So many people eat alone these days, right? It seemed like a solid option for anyone looking for a solo dining spot near Kkachisan Station. The regular 4-person tables are also arranged comfortably, and just when I thought that was the whole place, it turns out there are more tables further in around an L-shaped corner.

What the salmon and pork jowl rice bowl sets are like

At Hekbap Kkachisan Branch we ordered the salmon rice bowl and the pork jowl rice bowl, and since we got the sets, they came with mini udon and a mini salad topped with 2 pieces of fried chicken. Apparently the name comes from 'hek' (핵, meaning 'core/essential') plus 'bap' (밥, meaning 'meal'), meaning they put their heart into every single bowl.

Doesn't it look delicious just from the photos? Thick slices of salmon piled high with an egg yolk right on top 💕. Breaking the yolk and mixing it into the rice and toppings made everything so much richer and more savory.

And the pork jowl rice bowl — spicy, satisfying, packed with meat! Normally when I grill pork jowl at home I get sick of the richness pretty fast, but here they play up the tender side of the pork jowl with a delicious spicy sauce, and I kept saying 'so good!' the whole time I was eating 😁😁😁😁😁

"Hey! This is seriously good. Try a bite of mine! I mean it." And my friend goes, "Mine's seriously good too!" hahaha

We were both too busy pushing our own dishes on each other to try, haha. Getting the set means you also get mini udon and a mini salad topped with 2 pieces of fried chicken — a really filling meal set!

Side orders: potato croquette and honey rice cakes

It felt like a waste to only try the mains, so we ordered a side too. Everyone said the potato croquette was thick and delicious, so I gave it a try myself. Crispy outside, soft inside!! A thin batter with a generous amount of mashed potato inside!!! And each table also gets two rice cakes soaked in what tasted like honey, which turned out to be a nice little treat too, haha.

Hekbap Kkachisan Branch menu and prices

Hekbap is a Japanese restaurant that serves not just rice bowls but ramen, udon, soba, curry and katsu too. With such a wide menu, it's a pretty easy place to visit with kids or with friends who each want something different.

Who Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is best for

• Anyone looking for a good restaurant near Kkachisan Station
• Anyone looking for a solo dining spot in Hwagok-dong
• Anyone wanting to eat with a young child in Hwagok-dong
• Anyone looking for Japanese home-style food near Kkachisan Station
• Anyone meeting friends and wanting a variety of menu options