Two protein boxes to go at a Gongdeok salad shop: Why Starve Diet
In short
Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is a salad, poke and protein box shop on the basement level of Lotte Castle President, directly connected to Gongdeok Station Exit 2 in Mapo, Seoul. Two boxes went home in one order: the chicken light protein box at 7,900 won and the smoked duck tofu noodle protein box at 11,900 won, with moist chicken breast and chewy tofu noodles that filled a whole meal. For a hearty Gongdeok salad meal while watching your diet, Why Starve protein box takeout does the job.
Good to know
- Chicken light protein box
- 7,900 won
- Smoked duck tofu noodle protein box
- 11,900 won
- Location
- B131, B1F Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul (connected to Gongdeok Station Exit 2)
- Weekday hours
- 10:00–22:00 (last order 21:30)
- Weekend hours
- 10:00–20:30, break 15:00–16:00 (last order 20:00)
- Parking
- Use the shopping arcade parking lot, not the apartment or hotel parking
- How to use
- Takeout, delivery and solo dining available; order by kiosk
- Sauces
- Choose from 9 kinds
as written by the visitor on Sep 16, 2026
These days, while I've been managing my diet, I find myself reaching more for salads packed with protein rather than just piles of vegetables. So while looking for a good Gongdeok salad spot, I visited Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch, which connects directly to Gongdeok Station. Chicken, duck, salmon, beef... I loved how varied the menu was! I took out two protein boxes.
- 📍 B131, B1F Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- ⏰ Weekdays 10:00–22:00 (last order 21:30) / Weekends 10:00–20:30, break 15:00–16:00 (last order 20:00)
- 🚗 Parking available — use the commercial building parking lot, not the Lotte Castle apartment or hotel parking
- ✔️ Takeout, delivery, and solo dining available
Where is Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch, and where do you park?
Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is located on B1F of Lotte Castle President, connected to Gongdeok Station Exit 2.
If you're driving, you need to use the commercial building parking lot rather than the apartment parking to get parking support. I'd recommend searching 'Lotte Premium Food Market Gongdeok' in your navigation.
Inside Why Starve Gongdeok: an easy spot for solo dining
The interior of Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch was also kept neat and clean. With white-toned decor and bright lighting, it felt airy and open.
There were bar seats nice for eating alone, as well as tables for groups.
Overall the atmosphere felt clean and pleasant, fitting for a health food shop, and it seemed like a great spot for solo dining near Gongdeok Station.
Ordering was done via kiosk, so it was quick and easy.
Why Starve Gongdeok menu and prices: salads, poke and protein boxes
Looking at the menu, there were more options than I expected. From salads and poke bowls to protein boxes, and you could choose from a variety of proteins like chicken, smoked duck, salmon, and beef.
You could also add or remove ingredients, and choose from 9 different sauces, so it was easy to customize to your taste. You could also pick your base — tofu noodles, oat rice, or vegetables. With such a wide range of options, it seems like it'd be fun to pick your menu whether you're refueling with protein after a workout or just looking for a hearty Gongdeok salad restaurant.
You can also check the country-of-origin labeling at Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch.
They were also running a Naver receipt review event and a prepayment event.
Order complete — Chicken Light Protein Box ₩7,900 / Smoked Duck Tofu Noodle Protein Box ₩11,900
Taking out two protein boxes from Why Starve Gongdeok
I took out two menu items, and they were packed very carefully. The containers were spacious too, which made them easy to eat from.
Chicken light protein box, 7,900 won
The Chicken Light Protein Box is the most basic of the items I ordered this time.
Opening it up, fresh vegetables and chicken breast were neatly arranged inside.
Dipping it lightly in the sriracha mayo sauce made it even tastier. The chicken breast wasn't dry at all — it had a nice moist texture. The seasoning wasn't overpowering either, so it was easy to eat without feeling weighed down. With broccoli, chickpeas, and other ingredients mixed in, the texture was satisfying too.
Smoked duck tofu noodle protein box, 11,900 won
Personally, I was even more satisfied with the Smoked Duck Tofu Noodle Protein Box. It came with a generous amount of smoked duck, so it felt filling, and the combination with the tofu noodles worked really well.
The tofu noodles felt lighter than regular noodles, yet they were still nice and chewy, which I really liked.
Is Why Starve worth it for a Gongdeok salad meal?
I thought a salad alone would leave me hungry soon after, but with chicken breast or smoked duck plus tofu noodles added in, it made for a hearty, filling meal. It's directly connected to Gongdeok Station, so it's easy to access, and it works well for both solo dining and takeout, so I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good Gongdeok salad restaurant. Next time I want a delicious meal while managing my diet, I'll be back to try another one of their protein boxes :)
Where it is
B131, B1F Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 마포구 마포대로 109 롯데캐슬프레지던트 지하1층 B131호
