Complete Guide to the Top 5 Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Hapjeong! Honest Reviews from a Month-Long Exploration by an Office Worker

Real Reviews from a Month-Long Restaurant Exploration Near Hapjeong Office!

Hello! Recently, I transferred to a new company and started commuting near Hapjeong Station. I was constantly pondering what to eat for lunch every day, so I decided to explore all the restaurants in Hapjeong for a month! From that, I've compiled a list of the top 5 places that offer great value for money and are 100% worth revisiting.

At first, I thought, 'Hapjeong is near Hongdae, so it might be expensive...' but surprisingly, there are many hidden budget-friendly restaurants! Especially, there are many places perfect for office workers' lunch menus, allowing me to enjoy different tastes every day. I carefully selected only the verified restaurants while visiting with my colleagues.

I visited a total of 23 places over the month, and among them, I selected 5 places that are undeniably great. I'll introduce them categorized by price range and situation!

1st Place: Napoli 1 Dollar Pizza (Hapjeong Station Underground)

Price Range: 1,500 KRW~2,500 KRW (per slice)

Location: Hapjeong Station Basement 1st Floor (towards Exit 1)

This was truly shocking! It's located underground at Hapjeong Station, so at first, I thought, 'Can pizza inside a station be good?' but... it's absolutely delicious ㅠㅠ Sweet corn pizza is 1,500 KRW, and pepperoni is 2,000 KRW, and the size is bigger than expected and served warm.

It's especially great when you're in a hurry during lunchtime. You can order through a kiosk, and they heat it up right away, making it affordable and convenient for solo dining. However, if you go late in the afternoon, there might not be many options available!

I think I went there about three times a week. I recommended it to my colleagues, and they were all surprised, saying, 'This quality at this price?' The cheese is more generous than expected, and the crust is crispy, so the satisfaction level is high. The only downside is that there aren't many topping options.

Recommended Menu

Sweet Corn Pizza (1,500 KRW), Pepperoni Pizza (2,000 KRW)

Visit Tips

The most variety is available between 11 AM and 2 PM

Features

100 KRW discount for cash payment, served warm

2nd Place: Udon Kinoya Hapjeong Branch

Price Range: 8,500 KRW~12,000 KRW

Location: Mecenatpolis Basement 1st Floor

It's about a 3-minute walk from Exit 7 of Hapjeong Station. When I first entered, it had the vibe of an authentic Japanese udon shop, and it did not disappoint!

They say the handmade noodles are aged for 48 hours, and they are truly chewy. The broth is rich yet clean... especially the Bokkake Udon (9,500 KRW) was amazing. When you break the egg and mix it, it even feels like cream pasta, which was fascinating.

There might be a wait during lunchtime as many office workers visit, but the turnover is quick, so you won't wait long. It has become my go-to place whenever I crave udon!

The owner learned udon-making techniques in Japan, and you can really tell the difference in the noodles. They are much chewier and more elastic than those at regular udon shops. The broth is made by simmering anchovies and kelp, giving it a deep flavor. The kimchi udon was also really good, with kimchi that wasn't too spicy and had a nice tang that paired well with the udon.

Recommended Menu

Bokkake Udon (9,500 KRW), Kimchi Udon (8,500 KRW), Shrimp Tempura (3,000 KRW)

Business Hours

11 AM~9 PM (Closed on Sundays)

3rd Place: Andong Silbi

Price Range: 12,000 KRW~25,000 KRW

Location: Donggyo-ro 125 (between Hapjeong Station and Hongdae Entrance Station)

Open 24 Hours!

It's a lifesaver when I work late and head home late. It's a 24-hour Korean beef restaurant, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable! When we ordered 4 servings of Korean beef ribs (60,000 KRW), they gave us braised short ribs as a service.

Especially the ribeye (15,000 KRW) is really delicious. It's just the right amount of fatty and tender, making it a great place to enjoy a glass of soju even when dining alone. The side dishes are plentiful, and they refill them well.

However, it's crowded on weekend evenings, so there might be a wait. Still, it's rare to find a place where you can enjoy Korean beef at this price!

The owner here is really friendly. Even when I first went alone, they changed the grill for me and helped grill the meat... You can choose between kimchi stew and soybean paste stew for the side dishes. I recommend the soybean paste stew! Its savory taste pairs perfectly with the meat. Besides ribeye, the sirloin (18,000 KRW) was also tender and delicious. If you're not drinking, adding a bowl of rice makes for a hearty meal.

Popular Menu

Ribeye (15,000 KRW), Sirloin (18,000 KRW), Korean Beef Ribs (60,000 KRW/4 servings)

Service

Braised short ribs service for orders of 4 servings or more, 2 hours free parking

Features

Open 24 hours, suitable for solo dining/drinking

4th Place: Pizza Never Sleeps Hapjeong Sangsudong Branch

Price Range: 15,000 KRW~27,000 KRW

Location: Yanghwa-ro 6-gil 73, 4th Floor

I went there for a company dinner with colleagues, and the atmosphere is really nice! It feels like a pizza place in Brooklyn, New York. The pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven, so it's crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

The Potato Pizza is their signature menu, and at first, I thought, 'Potatoes on pizza?' but it's really good! The combination of crispy fries and chewy dough is amazing. We ordered it half-and-half with pepperoni, and both were absolutely delicious.

It's perfect with draft beer for a pizza and beer combo! However, if the dough runs out, they might close early, so it's a good idea to call ahead and check.

It's on the 4th floor, so it was a bit hard to find at first, but once you take the elevator up, it's right there. The interior is really stylish. It's decorated with bricks and wood tones, giving off a complete New York vibe. You can also watch the pizza baking process, which is fun. The Margherita (19,000 KRW) also has a really tasty tomato sauce, and they seem to use real mozzarella cheese. Watching the cheese stretch is quite satisfying.

Signature Menu

Potato Pizza (23,000 KRW), Half-and-Half (25,000 KRW)

Recommended Pairings

Draft Beer + Potato Pizza, Wine + Margherita

Reservations

Reservations are essential on weekends, recommended for weekday evenings as well

5th Place: Gamseong Taco Hapjeong Branch

Price Range: 3,500 KRW~6,000 KRW (per item)

Location: Delight Square Basement 1st Floor

It's amazing to find authentic Mexican food in Hapjeong! Tacos start at 3,500 KRW each, making them affordable. The tortillas seem to be homemade, chewy, and generously filled.

Especially the Pulled Pork Taco (5,500 KRW) and Chicken Taco (4,500 KRW) were delicious. There are spicy and non-spicy sauces to choose from according to your preference. The guacamole seemed to be made from real avocados, so it was fresh!

The interior captures the Mexican vibe perfectly, making it a great date spot. It's also perfect for coming alone, having a beer, and enjoying 2-3 tacos.

The owner said they learned the recipes directly in Mexico. That's probably why it tastes so authentic. The salsa sauce is especially delicious. It contains tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, making it refreshing yet clean. The nachos (8,000 KRW) are crispy, and the cheese sauce is rich, making them the perfect beer snack. They also have burritos (7,000 KRW), and just one is quite filling. The beans seem to be cooked from scratch.

Popular Menu

Pulled Pork Taco (5,500 KRW), Chicken Taco (4,500 KRW), Nachos (8,000 KRW)

Recommended Drinks

Corona Beer, Mexican Cola

Features

Authentic Mexican recipes, homemade tortillas

Characteristics of Hapjeong Restaurants Discovered After a Month of Exploration

After exploring various places in Hapjeong for a month, I found that there are truly many places offering great value for money! Especially compared to other areas around Hongdae, the prices are reasonable, and the taste is never compromised.

The biggest advantage of Hapjeong is its diversity. You can enjoy a wide range of cuisines from Korean, Western, Japanese, to Mexican. Most places are run by young owners, so there are many trendy menus and visually appealing dishes perfect for social media.

Another great point is accessibility. It's close to the subway station, making it easy to reach from anywhere, and there are many bus stops, so transportation is really convenient. Parking is challenging, but it's a perfect location for public transportation.

Lunchtime Tips

It's crowded everywhere between 12 PM and 1 PM, so aim for 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM

Payment Methods

Most places accept card payments, but some offer cash discounts

Parking

Parking is difficult almost everywhere, so public transport is recommended!

Reservations

To avoid waiting during dinner hours, it's good to call ahead and check

Price Range

Lunch menu 8,000 KRW~12,000 KRW, dinner 15,000 KRW~25,000 KRW range

Restaurant Recommendations for Different Situations

After visiting in various situations over the month, I found that the recommended restaurants differ by situation!

Good for Solo Dining

Napoli 1 Dollar Pizza (fast and cheap), Udon Kinoya (counter seats available)

Lunch with Colleagues

Udon Kinoya (4-person tables available), Gamseong Taco (great for sharing)

Good for Company Dinners/Meetings

Andong Silbi (variety of drink options), Pizza Never Sleeps (great atmosphere)

Good for Dates

Gamseong Taco (beautiful interior), Pizza Never Sleeps (romantic)

Family Meals

Andong Silbi (large tables), Udon Kinoya (kids love it)

Summary of the Month-Long Exploration

Honestly, at first, I was worried about 'what to eat every day,' but now it's a happy dilemma of 'where to go today' ㅎㅎ Each place has its own charm, allowing you to choose based on your mood, and the best part is that it doesn't lighten your wallet!

After visiting 23 places, I realized that Hapjeong is truly a treasure trove of hidden restaurants. There are many delicious places that aren't famous, the owners are friendly, and most importantly, the prices are reasonable. Compared to Hongdae or Gangnam, the prices are really conscientious.

These 5 places are ones I can confidently recommend. They each have different charms, making them suitable for various situations. I think it will be especially helpful for office workers!

My exploration of Hapjeong's restaurants will continue in the future. I'll share new discoveries with you. If you visit Hapjeong, make sure to check them out!