Korean restaurant, Yangcheon late-night cutlet: Haengbokhan Udon Gage

Wanting a late-night meal, I returned to Haengbokhan Udon Gage Sinjeongnegeori Station Branch (행복한우동가게 신정네거리역점), which I had visited before. This time, the two of us had old-style pork cutlet, squid rice bowl, steamed dumplings, and cola.

Is it close to Sinjeongnegeori Station, and is parking available?

The restaurant is about a 30-second walk from Exit 1 of Sinjeongnegeori Station on Line 2. Its address is 257 Jungang-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, South Korea. There was a dedicated parking area directly in front of the restaurant for around three to four cars.

What are the late-night hours and menu options?

At the time of my visit, it was open from 10:40 AM until 3:00 AM the following day. Since I could eat there late at night, it was a place that came to mind when I wanted a late-night meal. The neat sign reminded me of a pocha (Korean pub), so it caught my eye when I returned.

There was a wide range of meal options, from udon to pork cutlet, rice bowls, and dumplings. There were also dishes that could work as drinking snacks, such as honey tomatoes, pajeon (Korean scallion pancake), and duruchigi (spicy stir-fried meat). I thought it would also be a good place to come for udon when I wanted something brothy late at night.

What is the atmosphere like, and what dining amenities are there?

There were so many customers when I first entered that it was difficult to photograph the interior right away. When there was a brief lull, I looked around and found about 15 tables for two to four people. The chairs and interior reminded me of an old school, and I saw several tables of students.

The basic side dishes were simply kimchi and danmuji (pickled yellow radish).

I could get more side dishes and utensils from the self-service bar. Children's utensils were also available, which seemed helpful for dining with a child.

At the time of my visit, there was also a notice saying that customers who took part in a Naver receipt review could receive one of honey tomatoes, a soft drink, soju, or bottled beer.

What did we order, and were the portions enough for two?

The old-style pork cutlet was ₩10,900, the squid rice bowl was ₩10,500, and the steamed dumplings were ₩6,000. We also ordered cola. For me, the portions were generous for the price.

I could order through the table-ordering system at each table. Paper cups, pepper, and small side plates were also set out. Even the spoons and chopsticks reminded me of the utensils used in a school cafeteria.

The food came out quickly. With all three dishes spread out, the table looked abundant, and the two of us ate until we were full.

What did the steamed dumplings and squid rice bowl taste like?

The steamed dumplings had a familiar taste and worked well as a side dish. The soy sauce that came with them felt like seasoned soy sauce, and the dumplings tasted better with it.

The squid rice bowl first tasted smoky and sweet. As I kept eating, the spiciness came through, so I did not get tired of it. I do not usually like squid stir-fry with lots of liquid, but this one was stir-fried without any broth, and the doneness suited my taste. The portion was generous too, so I was satisfied.

What were the old-style pork cutlet and its texture like?

The old-style pork cutlet came with cabbage dressed with ketchup and mayonnaise. It was the familiar old-style pork cutlet combination, which I was glad to see.

There was also a generous serving of rice and udon broth.

The pork cutlet was covered with plenty of sauce, so it was moist to eat. On this visit, the squid rice bowl I ordered alongside the old-style pork cutlet also stayed with me. It was a place I might think of again when I wanted a filling meal late at night.