Hongdae ochazuke restaurant with braised pork and cod roe: Ochaya
Ochaya is an ochazuke (rice in hot broth or tea) restaurant on the 2nd floor near Sangsu Station in Mapo, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 and 10 minutes from Hapjeong Station Exit 6. On a first try of ochazuke, Ochaya's butano-kakuni ochazuke (braised pork, 14,000 won) came with meat tender enough to fall apart without chewing, while the myeongnan ochazuke (cod roe, 10,000 won) tasted intensely salty and rich. Refills of nutrient rice, seaweed, side dishes and broth plus a bar table with phone stands make Ochaya an easy solo-dining pick in Hongdae.