Japanese diner at Konkuk Univ.: salmon bowl & bukkake udon, Hekbap

A Japanese home-style lunch on a weekend shopping date at Konkuk Univ.

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch (핵밥 건대본점) is a Japanese home-style rice bowl restaurant right in the heart of Konkuk Univ. It was the weekend, so my wife and I headed to the lively Konkuk Univ. area for some light shopping and a date, our first in a while. We walked around looking at shops for ages, got hungry fast, and went looking for a clean, filling place to eat.

I'd heard there was a hot spot for Japanese home-style food in the middle of Konkuk Univ., with neat, full set-meal presentation and deep flavors that aren't overpowering, so we happily made our way over.

It's "Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch," known for easy access and its wide, open window view! Below I'll share an honest review, from subway access to the open interior to the salmon rice bowl and bukkake udon (cold udon with concentrated broth poured over) that my wife and I actually tried.

How to get to Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch, and parking

Hekbap is just a 3-minute walk from Konkuk Univ. Station, where Lines 2 and 6 cross. It was a smooth start: for a date on foot, the route is very intuitive and convenient.

For parking, you can use the nearby Konkuk Lotte Department Store lot, and if you download the department store app, you can link it for 2 hours of free parking. Parking is usually scarce around Konkuk Univ. and driving there can be stressful, but thanks to this, even at weekend peak time my wife and I could come by car and enjoy a relaxed meal without any worry.

2nd-floor window view: atmosphere and seating

Hekbap is on the 2nd floor of the building, and when you walk in, the soft, clean white-toned interior and the cool, open window view on all sides catch your eye right away.

You can look down at the road outside and the people passing by, so it never feels stuffy, and the open, almost exotic feeling, like a suburban café on a trip, really satisfied me. Tables run in a long line along the windows, so the layout works well for couples and for people dining solo too.

Hekbap's menu and the sets we ordered

The menu has a generous, well-stocked Japanese home-style lineup: signature rice bowls of all kinds, Japanese ramen, curry, pork cutlet, udon and more. We ordered the signature salmon rice bowl, and since we were craving cool, chewy noodles, the bukkake udon.

With so many choices, everyone can pick to their own taste. The sets came out prettily and neatly arranged, so well balanced that my wife was busy taking photos before we even ate.

Salmon rice bowl and bukkake udon, waves of flavor filling your mouth

The food came out much faster than I expected after ordering. When you're eating out with kids or on a hungry date, speed is what matters most, and we could start our meal comfortably right away without a long wait.

How was the salmon rice bowl?

My wife's salmon rice bowl was generously topped with big, thick, springy slices of raw salmon, filling the bowl. I broke the egg yolk, added a little onion and radish sprouts, and took a big bite. The salmon had no fishy taste at all, just a rich, clean flavor that rolled through my mouth like waves.

The sweet-salty special sauce under the rice and the popping texture of the flying fish roe blend together cleverly, so you don't get tired of it and stay pleasantly full down to the last spoonful.

Bukkake udon noodles and broth on a hot day

The bukkake udon I ordered was a sure winner for whetting your appetite on a clear, hot day like these. I took a big bite of the thick, springy udon noodles, moist with tsuyu (Japanese soy-based dipping sauce).

These weren't noodles cooked carelessly on the outside; the more I chewed, the more they were sticky-chewy like rice cake, bringing out the natural sweetness of the carbs. The cool broth was salty yet deeply savory with the unique umami of katsuobushi (bonito flakes), packed into the noodles, and my whole body felt refreshed.

Set sides: fried chicken and cabbage salad

The set comes with fried chicken and cabbage salad on the side. The fried chicken was a textbook crispy-outside, juicy-inside, fried light without greasiness, and it rounded out the meal perfectly. It wasn't an instant meal that just fills you up; the ingredients were so well balanced that it felt like being properly treated, a deep, clean-tasting dish.

The "Magic Solutions" book on the table and little extras

Hekbap's taste and atmosphere are great, but what stands out is the witty detail of a fun "Magic Solutions" book on every table.

While waiting for food, you think of a question in your head and flip the book open, and it gives you an answer. My wife and I asked each other silly questions, checked the answers and laughed out loud, which doubled the energy of our date. There were also clean disposable aprons and an event giving a free drink for writing a Naver receipt review, so I was very satisfied.

With high food quality and friendly service, Hekbap is a strong, can't-go-wrong recommendation for anyone wondering where to have a date lunch in Konkuk Univ.