Gwanghwamun protein box spot: beef pasta with chickpeas, Wystab Diet

Today's post is about eating solo lunch in Gwanghwamun at Wystab Diet Gwanghwamun!

Wystab Diet Gwanghwamun: address, hours and the basics

• Address: 서울 종로구 종로 19 르메이에르 종로타운 지하 1층 122-2호 (19 Jongno, B1F Unit 122-2, Le Meilleur Jongno Town, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea)
• Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–20:40 / last order 20:10
• Closed Saturdays and Sundays
• Parking available at Le Meilleur Jongno Town
• Takeout and delivery available

How to find the shop on basement level 1 of Le Meilleur Jongno Town

It was really easy to find. I went in through the main entrance of Le Meilleur Jongno Town and there was an escalator right there.

You just ride this down to basement level 1.

Once you're down there, you'll see a place called Durga, and if you look to the left of that, Wystab is right there.

At the entrance there's a big sign for the Chicken Pasta Protein Box at ₩8,900, and given how much lunch costs around Gwanghwamun these days, the price is the first thing that catches your eye.

The inside was clean overall, and there were colorful posters on the walls that were fun to look at.

How do you choose a protein box at Wystab Diet?

I know pasta, but what's 'pastang'...? Turns out it's like an American-style chicken soup dish haha. I couldn't picture it so I'm planning to try it next time.

There was also a protein rice bowl with 60g of protein in it..!! Good reference if you're the type who tracks protein while working out.

For the main, you can choose chicken, smoked duck, salmon, or beef, and the base can be pasta, tofu noodles, oat rice, and more. Sauces and vegetables can also be added or removed to taste, so there were more choices than I expected.

Single seats for solo lunch in Gwanghwamun

I went alone that day, and since there were dedicated single seats along with two- and four-person tables, I didn't feel self-conscious about eating solo at all.

The atmosphere was comfortable for eating quietly alone and heading out, so it seemed like a good option for anyone working around Gwanghwamun or Jonggak looking for lunch.

Even the Wi-Fi password had a 'protein100%' kind of vibe — the way they carried the concept even into details like that was kind of cute haha.

When I went, they were running an event where you could get a drink for writing a Naver receipt review.

How does the beef pasta protein box with chickpeas taste?

What I picked was the Beef Pasta Protein Box, and I added chickpeas.

I already like chickpeas, and I wanted to get in a solid amount of protein that day, so I added them in.

As soon as I got it, I was surprised at how generous the meat portion was. I thought it might be plain, flavorless meat, but it was actually seasoned and tender — really tasty!

As you eat through the meat, you find pasta noodles underneath, coated in a slightly tangy balsamic-style sauce. I'm not usually a huge balsamic fan. But paired with the pasta here it worked better than I expected, and I ended up enjoying it a lot haha.

I chose the oriental sauce and drizzled it little by little over the vegetables and chickpeas. Not pouring too much from the start and adding a bit at a time as I ate worked out perfectly. The vegetables were crisp too, so I finished it all happily. With salads you sometimes eat a full meal but still get hungry quickly. This time, with the beef, pasta noodles, and chickpeas all together, it kept me quite full after one meal.

I think I'll be thinking of this place again whenever I need to grab a solo lunch in Gwanghwamun. Next time I'm going to try the Protein Pastang I've been curious about this whole time :)