Kkachisan rice bowl lunch: hanger steak cubes, aged salmon, Hekbap

What is Hekbap Kkachisan Branch like?

Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is a Japanese-style restaurant near Kkachisan Station where you can eat all kinds of rice bowls, plus ramen and tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet). At lunchtime, it's often hard to decide what to eat.

Rather than the same old thing, I wanted a meal that was both tasty and filling, so this time I went to Hekbap (핵밥) Kkachisan Branch, a lunch spot in Kkachisan. Hekbap serves a range of rice bowls, along with ramen and tonkatsu.

I ordered the cube steak bowl and the salmon and marinated shrimp bowl. I got to try a meat bowl with a lovely smoky char and a fresh, tender salmon bowl together, and it made for a satisfying lunch.

Location: close to Exit 3 of Kkachisan Station

Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is about a 2-minute walk from Exit 3 of Kkachisan Station.

The address is 2F, 35 Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. It's close to the station, so it's easy to reach and a convenient place to drop by at lunchtime.

Atmosphere: is it okay for eating alone?

Inside, the restaurant was spacious and neatly kept.

The tables are fairly well spaced, so I could eat comfortably, and the mood works for solo diners as well as for friends or family.

You can check the menu and order on the tablet at your table, which was convenient.

The menu at Hekbap Kkachisan Branch

I liked how wide the menu choices are.

There are bowls for meat lovers, light salmon bowls, and ramen for when you're craving something with warm broth.

This time I picked two of my usual favorites.

• Cube steak bowl: pork jowl stir-fried quickly over high heat to keep the deep smoky flavor and juiciness.
• Salmon and marinated shrimp bowl: thick slices of aged salmon, eaten with a rich egg yolk.

The two have different charms, so they were great to order together.

Cube steak bowl: smoky flavor and juicy meat

The cube steak bowl at Hekbap Kkachisan Branch had pork jowl with an appealing smoky char and juiciness. I tried it first.

Bite-sized pieces of pork jowl sit on top of the rice, and it looked appetizing right away. Because the steak is stir-fried quickly over high heat, the savory smoky aroma was a highlight.

One bite and I got a tender texture with rich juices. The more I chewed, the more the meat's own flavor came out, and it was even better with warm rice.

The seasoning isn't overly strong, so you can enjoy the natural taste of the meat, and a single bowl makes a hearty meal. Meat lovers will be happy with this one.

Salmon and marinated shrimp bowl: thick aged salmon and egg yolk

The salmon and marinated shrimp bowl at Hekbap Kkachisan Branch pairs thick aged salmon with a rich egg yolk, and it works well. This is the second dish I tried.

Thick slices of aged salmon were laid neatly over the rice, and it looked delicious just sitting there. The salmon was soft yet pleasantly chewy, and its rich flavor came through the more I chewed.

The combination with the egg yolk was especially good. Dipping the marinated shrimp in the yolk made it even softer and the flavor deeper.

Eating warm rice with the salmon fills your mouth with a clean, nutty flavor. It never felt too oily and stayed refreshing, so I enjoyed it to the last bite.

Verdict: a Kkachisan lunch spot I recommend

Hekbap Kkachisan Branch satisfied me on the menu, the taste and the atmosphere.

The cube steak bowl had an appealing deep smoky flavor and juiciness, and the salmon and marinated shrimp bowl impressed me with the harmony of thick aged salmon and rich yolk. The two have different charms, so it was fun to alternate between them. Best of all, it's close to Kkachisan Station and the dining room is clean, so it's comfortable for lunch.

If you're looking for a lunch spot in Kkachisan or a good restaurant for eating alone, I recommend Hekbap Kkachisan Branch. It made me want to try other rice bowls next time.