Gyukatsu restaurant across from Gwangmyeong City Hall: Hoka Hoka

Where is Hoka Hoka Gwangmyeong Main Branch?

⏰️ 11:30 - 21:00 🚉 Line 7 Cheolsan Station Directly across from Gwangmyeong City Hall

Hoka Hoka Gwangmyeong Main Branch opened up in Bobostel. I'd been curious about it for a while, passing by on the bus, and finally made it here.

ほかほか. A comma sitting on top of a bowl in the logo — pretty emotive stuff. Apparently it's not some common franchise but an independent brand built around a chef's own stubborn vision, which got me excited.

Bobostel does have parking, but since it's mechanical, I'd actually recommend the underground public lot right across the street instead (no parking support here).

Nice touch putting a big, easy-to-see photo menu right out front. Gyukatsu and cold ramen are the stars, with plenty of other Japanese dishes on offer too.

They say they carefully select only fresh ingredients every day and prioritize hygiene and cleanliness above all — which makes Hoka Hoka feel even more trustworthy.

Hoka Hoka menu and prices

From discounted 2-person sets with mains and sides, to gyukatsu, cold ramen, gyudon, chashu ramen, plus sides like fried eggplant and yaki gyoza — there's a lot on offer.

• 2-person drink set ₩43,000
• 2-person ade set ₩47,000
• 2-person alcohol set ₩49,000
• Gyukatsu (1 cutlet) 130g ₩19,000
• Gyukatsu (1.5 cutlet) 195g ₩27,000
• Gyukatsu (2 cutlet) 260g ₩33,000
• Cold ramen ₩11,500
• Chicken breast cold ramen ₩13,500
• Chashu ramen ₩12,500
• Hoka Hoka ankake ramen ₩12,500
• Gyudon ₩13,500
• Chicken curry ₩13,500
• Chicken katsu ₩12,500

How long is the lunch wait at Hoka Hoka?

Even though I showed up right when they opened, seats filled up so fast that Hoka Hoka — a well-known Cheolsan spot — already had a wait before the lunch peak even hit. If you want to eat here for lunch, better to book ahead on Naver or get there early haha.

Portable pepper and Himalayan rock salt are set at every table, and the pickled radish is decent too.

Before the main dishes came out, they served complimentary sweet potato fries 🍠 — piping hot, straight out of the fryer. Made a great first impression at Hoka Hoka.

Gyukatsu 1.5 servings at ₩27,000: portion size and how to grill it

Gyukatsu 1.5 servings, ₩27,000. I figured a single serving would feel too small, so I ordered 1.5 — but even that didn't feel like a lot for a hungry adult man ㅜㅠ

It comes lightly pre-seared, crispy outside and tender inside, so you finish cooking it yourself on your own personal grill to your liking.

Eaten raw as-is it's tasty in a tataki kind of way ㅋㅋㅋㅋ but I'd still recommend cooking it a bit more.

Served alongside the gyukatsu are salad, wasabi, whole grain mustard, and grated radish mixed with mustard greens to cut through the richness.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all flavor, Hoka Hoka's handmade sauces are designed with depth and balance tailored to Korean palates.

A warm broth comes served alongside. The mini grill is just about big enough to fit four pieces at a time.

Rather than cooking it too much, grilling just until the pink fades and topping it with a little wasabi suited my taste best. Hoka Hoka's gyukatsu has a whole different charm from the regular tonkatsu I'm used to.

Hoka Hoka cold ramen at ₩11,500: a summer favourite

Cold ramen, ₩11,500. With the weather this hot lately, a cold ramen is exactly what you want.

A clean yet rich pork-and-chicken broth, with a slight tangy hint of yuzu. Hoka Hoka's cold ramen is finished with the noodles in mind so every last spoonful stays enjoyable.

With bar seats available, it's great for solo dining, but the atmosphere also works for a date or a relaxed family meal — Hoka Hoka is a Cheolsan-dong spot where you can enjoy a properly made meal.

Light and easy to slurp down, Hoka Hoka's cold ramen paired really well with the gyukatsu — a great combination.

Lunchtime brings a lot of customers and a long wait, so next time I'd love to come back in the evening for a relaxed meal with some fried dishes and a cold beer at Hoka Hoka Gwangmyeong Main Branch.