Gwangjin Japanese restaurant salmon shrimp rice bowl: Hekbap Main

Hekbap for a solo dinner near Konkuk University

I was in the Konkuk University area for something, and it overlapped with dinner time, so I needed to eat before heading home. I was hungry, so I stopped by Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch. As someone who absolutely loves salmon, I debated getting sushi, but Hekbap's generously loaded salmon and soy-marinated shrimp rice bowl called to me, so off I went to the Konkuk University main branch!

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is close to Exit 3 of Konkuk University Station. It is on the second floor above the Innisfree and Catching Duck stores.

The brand philosophy is displayed at the entrance: leave the tricks behind and hold on to the essentials! They say they make home-style rice bowls and ramen with fresh ingredients. As someone who manages franchises, I can never just walk past something like this... haha. (How much must the marketer or owner have thought about it?)

From solo-dining seats to group tables

The restaurant is spacious, so it would be great for a group gathering too. When I visited, I even saw a group of homemakers coming in. I used to have book club meetings around Konkuk University, and this would have been a good spot then too!! There is also a solo-dining zone by the windows, and I saw people eating alone there. Since I love window seats, I was happy to see it.

There is also a clean restroom inside the restaurant. It annoys me when I have to go to another building, enter a passcode, and then find the restroom dirty anyway... so I loved that this one was inside and kept clean.

The solo-dining zone had a book called <Magic Solutions for Your Worries>, so I got curious and opened it. It said, “Forget what has passed.” Huh? A plan of mine had fallen through that day, so it was funny how fitting the answer was, haha. It could be a fun little read for anyone eating alone.

A wide range of dishes, from rice bowls to ramen

There are so many options, including rice bowls, ramen, soba, and katsu. You can sit down and order through the table-order system. There are plenty of sides and drinks too. The menu itself was enormous.

They also had a spicy Hekbap series: spicy buta don and spicy Western-style giant pork cutlet. Just looking at them with those bright-red peppers made them seem so spicy, haha. If you love spicy food, give them a try...!! haha. I passed because I was worried they might upset my stomach. They were also running an event where you get a drink for registering a Naver receipt review.

What comes with the salmon and soy-marinated shrimp rice bowl set

I ordered the salmon and soy-marinated shrimp rice bowl set, one of the best-selling dishes.

• Ordered: Salmon and soy-marinated shrimp rice bowl ₩17,900

The food came out quickly. The set includes karaage (Japanese fried chicken), mini udon, and cheese rice cake too. Plump soy-marinated shrimp! The combination with salmon... impossible to resist. It looked like such a neat, well-rounded spread.

What is the best way to eat the rice bowl?

There was a guide on the table for enjoying the rice bowl. It recommended layering rice, then toppings, then wasabi. Rather than mixing it all together, it suggested taking spoonfuls one at a time, though eating with chopsticks is good too.

There is a self-service station where you can help yourself to wasabi and danmuji (yellow pickled radish). Disposable aprons are available too. I am the kind of person who piles on danmuji and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), so it was convenient to use freely.

As instructed, I took a bite with rice, soy-marinated shrimp, and wasabi! The shrimp was not overly salty, and the salmon was incredibly fresh. With plump, fresh shrimp and salmon, it was springy and pleasantly savory 😆

The karaage that came with it was crispy too, and went well with the cabbage salad. There were two pieces, but I wanted more, haha. I would have regretted not getting the set!!

The udon portion was pretty generous too. If the rice bowl starts to feel a little dry as you eat, a spoonful of udon broth freshens up your mouth, so it was perfect, haha.

The rice bowl's combination of salmon, soy-marinated shrimp, and raw egg is a flavor I never get tired of, no matter how much I eat. It was quite a lot for one person! For dessert, the cheese rice cake soaked in condensed milk is the way to go. Do they sell this separately somewhere..? It is so good... It is the kind of flavor that comes to mind when I suddenly want a snack at home.

I ate alone, but it was a generous, tidy, and delicious meal. Next time, I want to come back with friends. Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is absolutely approved as a great Konkuk University restaurant.