Konkuk Station rice bowl spot: post-lecture lunch for two, Hekbap

Lunch at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch after a morning lecture

On the morning of September 13, I attended a lecture at Konkuk University. Once it was over I got hungry and started thinking about where to eat, and remembered enjoying a meal at another branch of Hekbap before — so I headed to the nearby Konkuk University Main Branch.

The moment I walked in, the pretty chandelier hanging from the ceiling caught my eye. The atmosphere felt upscale yet clean and warm overall.

Window seats for solo diners and the self-service bar at Hekbap

There are dedicated single seats by the window, which looked great for students or office workers eating alone.

On one side of the restaurant there's a neatly arranged self-service bar. You can help yourself to as much pickled radish, kkakdugi (radish kimchi), and wasabi as you like.

Looking around near the tables, I spotted a cute little event booklet called 'Magic Solution to Your Worries.'

Flipping through it, there were short, touching quotes written inside — maybe because I'd just come from a lecture, they hit me a little harder and put me in a good mood.

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch hours and where to park

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 16:30 and last order at 20:30. There's no on-site parking, but if you park at Konkuk Lotte Department Store and download the department store's app, you get 2 hours free. Alternatively, the Konkuk Hospital parking lot (30 minutes free, ₩500 per 10 minutes) is convenient.

• Hours: Daily 11:00 - 21:00
• Break time: 15:00 - 16:30 / Last order 20:30
• Parking: Konkuk Lotte Department Store (2 hours free with app download) or Konkuk Hospital lot (30 min free, ₩500 per 10 min)
• Facilities: Men's/women's restrooms, takeout, delivery, solo seating

What is on the menu: rice bowls, curry, ramen and pork cutlet

True to its identity as a Japanese home-style rice bowl and ramen restaurant, Hekbap offers a wide range of choices — rice bowls, curry, ramen, pork cutlet, and more.

I'd enjoyed the pork jowl rice bowl before, but today I was especially craving something with seafood, so I placed my order accordingly.

We ordered the salmon shrimp jang rice bowl and the cube steak rice bowl.

A full tray: salad refills, soup and cheese rice cake dessert

Each dish at Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is served as a neat full spread, including salad, cheese rice cake dessert, and a basic soup.

By the way, if you ask the staff, they'll kindly refill the salad that comes with the meal, so keep that in mind! For dessert, you also get cheese rice cake drizzled with honey, which was a delightfully savory and chewy treat. I shared my portion with a companion who loves chewy rice cakes, which made the meal even more enjoyable.

How is the cube steak rice bowl at Hekbap?

The cube steak rice bowl came piled high with meat pan-seared at 200℃, along with cherry tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms for variety. The juicy meat burst with flavor and blended wonderfully with the special sauce — absolutely excellent.

How is the salmon shrimp jang rice bowl at Hekbap?

The salmon shrimp jang rice bowl combines fresh salmon with savory, well-marinated shrimp jang (soy-marinated shrimp). It arrives with a rich egg yolk sprinkled lightly with chili powder on top, along with onion and pickled radish.

I popped the yolk, placed some salmon on top of the rice, and took a big bite. There was no fishy taste at all — it melted smoothly in my mouth, and I really loved it.

The sign on the table recommends placing the ingredients on top of the rice rather than mixing everything together, and eating it that way really let me taste the ingredients' natural flavors more clearly.

During the meal, I took part in the Naver receipt event and got a free Pepsi Zero. The sharp fizz and coolness gave the meal a clean finish.

Final verdict on Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is a great Konkuk spot to visit anytime you want a hearty, well-put-together meal without any hassle. From the carefully seared meat rice bowl to the fresh-tasting seafood bowl, every dish felt made with real care. The staff's service was excellent and the atmosphere was comfortable, so I'd give it a 100% return visit rating. If you're looking for a clean, can't-go-wrong restaurant near Konkuk, I highly recommend giving it a try!