# Gongdeok poke restaurant, yuzu salmon oat box to share: Why Starve

- By Euno (https://superchart.com/en/@the-product-label/)
- Written Sep 20, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This review was written after receiving a complimentary meal from the restaurant.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@the-product-label/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@the-product-label/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/index.md)

## In short

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is a protein box restaurant on the basement level of Lottecastle President, connected directly to Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer ordered a Chicken Light Protein Box (8,900 won) and a Salmon Oat Protein Box (12,900 won) to go, picking oriental and yuzu sauces, and shared both at home with her mom. The boxes do not leave you stuffed but they do fill the protein gap, making Why Starve Diet an easy recommendation among Gongdeok salad and poke spots.

## Good to know

- **Location**: B131, B1F Lottecastle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- **Access**: About 41 m (1 minute) from Gongdeok Station Exit 2, through the passage between the optical shop and Subway
- **Hours**: Mon–Thu 10:00–22:00 (last order 21:30); Sat–Sun 10:00–20:30 (break 15:00–16:00, last order 20:00)
- **Parking**: Free in the building parking lot (search for Lotte Premium Food Market Gongdeok)
- **What was ordered**: Chicken Light Protein Box 8,900 won + Salmon Oat Protein Box 12,900 won = 21,800 won
- **Chicken Light**: 287 kcal, 44 g protein, 150 g chicken breast
- **Salmon Oat**: 410 kcal, 34 g protein, 100 g salmon steak
- **Good to know**: Every protein box has at least 150 g of meat, ready 3–5 minutes after ordering, seating suits both solo diners and groups
- **Price reference**: ₩8,900 ≈ $6.4 · ₩12,900 ≈ $9.3 · ₩21,800 ≈ $15.5 (2026-09-21)

*as written by the visitor on Sep 20, 2026*

I went to Gongdeok Station last week, and heard there was a good poke salad place nearby, so I checked it out. I've been into healthy food lately, so protein boxes really caught my interest.

## How to get to Why Starve Diet from Gongdeok Station

![Passage entrance connected to Gongdeok Station Exit 2](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-01-ioqx2-900.webp)

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is in the building connected to Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station — just walk through the passage between the optical shop and Subway and you'll find it easily.

### Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch: hours, address and parking

- Location: B131, B1F Lottecastle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Access: about 41m (1 min) walk from Gongdeok Station Exit 2, through the passage between the optical shop and Subway
- Hours: Sat–Sun 10:00–20:30 (break 15:00–16:00, last order 20:00) / Mon–Thu 10:00–22:00 (last order 21:30)
- Website: whystarve.kr
- Parking: free at the building's parking lot (search Lotte Premium Food Market Gongdeok)
- Notes: every protein box has 150g+ of meat, ready in 3–5 minutes, seating for both solo diners and groups, wide choice of sauces and bases

![Orange-framed exterior of Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-02-1ktju-900.webp)

![A note outside the shop explaining what a protein box is](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-03-1ykh1-900.webp)

![Entrance of Why Starve Diet with English signage](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-04-1lhcp-900.webp)

The storefront has an orange frame with an English sign for the diet food shop. A note outside explaining what a protein box is caught my eye.

## What is a protein box?

A protein box is a high-protein, low-calorie meal packed with generous protein (150g+ of meat), healthy carbs, fresh vegetables, and various grains. Whichever Why Starve Diet menu you order, it means you're getting 150g or more of meat. The name Why Starve itself apparently means: don't starve, eat.

## Inside the Gongdeok branch of Why Starve Diet

Stepping inside Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch, there were a few bar-style tables and some two-person seats. Not a tiny space, and it's also comfortable for solo dining.

![Interior of Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch with bar tables and two-person seats](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-05-2vf78-900.webp)

The menu is cutely displayed on the wall.

![Cute protein box menu board on the wall](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-06-1vfj3-900.webp)

There's also nutrition info on one wall, checkable via barcode.

Cute stickers were on the walls too, along with country-of-origin labels — even the kiosk itself is colorful, cute, and pretty.

## Ordering at the kiosk

![Colorful ordering kiosk at Why Starve](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-07-12vd6-900.webp)

![Kiosk screen for choosing main protein](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-08-1ud9s-900.webp)

You order through the kiosk: first pick your main protein from chicken, beef, smoked duck, or salmon, then choose a base from pasta, tofu noodles, oat rice, cauliflower rice, or light (vegetables).

![Kiosk screen for choosing base](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-09-r8e49-900.webp)

![Chicken protein box menu screen](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-10-79728-900.webp)

![Smoked duck protein box menu screen](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-11-k047s-900.webp)

![Beef protein box menu screen](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-12-fpsfx-900.webp)

![Salmon protein box menu screen](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-13-1mnev-900.webp)

![Order screen showing side dishes and drinks](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-14-dc1t1-900.webp)

![Screen for selecting dipping sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-15-1f1b5-900.webp)

## Why Starve Diet Gongdeok menu and prices

### 1. Chicken

- Chicken Light: ₩7,900
- Chicken Pasta: ₩8,900
- Chicken Oat: ₩8,900
- Chicken Tofu Noodle: ₩9,900
- Chicken Cauliflower Rice: ₩9,900

### 2. Smoked duck

- Smoked Duck Light: ₩9,900
- Smoked Duck Pasta: ₩10,900
- Smoked Duck Oat: ₩10,900
- Smoked Duck Tofu Noodle: ₩11,900
- Smoked Duck Cauliflower Rice: ₩11,900

### 3. Beef

- Beef Light: ₩12,900
- Beef Pasta: ₩13,900
- Beef Oat: ₩13,900
- Beef Tofu Noodle: ₩14,900
- Beef Cauliflower Rice: ₩14,900

### 4. Salmon

- Salmon Light: ₩11,900
- Salmon Pasta: ₩12,900
- Salmon Oat: ₩12,900
- Salmon Tofu Noodle: ₩13,900
- Salmon Cauliflower Rice: ₩13,900

### 5. Hot mala

Mala Protein Box: try all the tofu noodle and pasta options in a numbing, spicy mala flavor!

### 6. Drinks

- Americano Hot/Cold: ₩2,400
- Pepsi Zero: ₩2,000
- Sparkling water (green grape): ₩2,000
- Narangd Cider: ₩1,500
- Bottled water: ₩1,000

### 7. Sides

- Tomato/Sweet Pumpkin Soup: ₩3,500
- Greek Yogurt: ₩3,900
- Protein Cookie: ₩3,500

### 8. Dipping sauces

- Teriyaki
- Spicy Teriyaki
- Wasabi Mayo
- Sriracha Mayo
- Honey Mustard
- Oriental
- Yuzu Dressing

You can also pick sauces and toppings. There are so many sauce options — teriyaki, wasabi mayo, honey mustard, sriracha mayo, yuzu dressing, and more — that it's fun just choosing.

## The two boxes ordered and the total price

![Two packed protein boxes ready for takeout](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-16-1tyq6-900.webp)

Today I packed two boxes to take home and eat with mom. Chicken Light Protein Box (salad) ₩8,900, Salmon Oat Protein Box (poke) ₩12,900, totaling ₩21,800.

I chose yuzu sauce for the Salmon Oat Protein Box and oriental sauce for the Chicken Light Protein Box.

## How the Chicken Light Protein Box tasted

![Chicken Light Protein Box with chicken breast and vegetables](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-17-zwk8u-1200.webp)

The Chicken Light Protein Box is a steady bestseller at Why Starve. It comes with 150g of chicken breast, chickpeas, lettuce, green beans, broccoli, paprika, olives, and onion flakes.

The protein box is 287kcal and 44g protein — a light way to enjoy steamed chicken breast with vegetables.

I didn't pour all the sauce on; instead I dipped the chicken in it. It was well-grilled, and tasty eaten together with the green beans, olives, and chickpeas. My mom said it was delicious.

## How the Salmon Oat Protein Box tasted

![Salmon Oat Protein Box with salmon steak and oats](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-18-11vxh-900.webp)

The Salmon Oat Protein Box is a poke (Hawaiian-style raw fish bowl) menu. At 410kcal and 34g protein, it uses fresh salmon that's rich in protein but low in fat. It includes 100g salmon steak, oats, chickpeas, lettuce, green beans, broccoli, paprika, olives, and onion flakes.

For this one, I boldly poured all the yuzu sauce and mixed it into the oats. The oats had a chewy texture that I liked, and there was plenty of salmon so the portion felt satisfying.

![Poke bowl mixed with yuzu sauce and oats](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-19-yldwx-900.webp)

![Protein boxes set up for eating at home](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-20-8ojd1-900.webp)

After finishing both, I wasn't stuffed, but I felt healthy thanks to all the protein.

## Final verdict on Why Starve Diet Gongdeok

![Store scene with takeout and delivery orders coming in](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-21-exg8j-900.webp)

Even outside the peak time when office workers crowd in, there were still takeout and delivery orders coming in, which shows how popular this diet restaurant really is. Next time I want to try the cauliflower protein box. For anyone looking for a good restaurant near Gongdeok Station, or a salad and poke spot in Gongdeok, I'd recommend Why Starve Diet Gongdeok.

![Full view of Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch storefront](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-22-129vh-900.webp)

![Stickers and signage on the store wall](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-23-1fshb-900.webp)

If you're looking for a diet restaurant, I think it's worth giving Why Starve Diet Gongdeok a visit.

![Entrance signage of Why Starve Diet Gongdeok](https://img.superchart.com/images/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve-24-fydmj-900.webp)

If you're searching for a diet restaurant nearby, make sure to add this to your Gongdeok poke restaurant list :)

## Where it is

- Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch (와이스타브 다이어트 공덕본점)
- B131, B1F Lottecastle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 마포구 마포대로 109 롯데캐슬프레지던트 지하1층 B131호
- 37.5447098, 126.9504093
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%99%80%EC%9D%B4%EC%8A%A4%ED%83%80%EB%B8%8C%20%EB%8B%A4%EC%9D%B4%EC%96%B4%ED%8A%B8%20%EA%B3%B5%EB%8D%95%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5447098,126.9504093,17z

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Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@the-product-label/gongdeok-poke-protein-box-takeout-whystarve/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt