Finally Found It! Ochaya, the Ochazuke Gem in Hongdae
I've been thoroughly enjoying the hunt for great solo dining spots lately, and this time, I stumbled upon a truly special place! Have you heard of ochazuke? I've been missing that warm and savory taste I had in Japan, and I finally found an ochazuke specialty restaurant in Hongdae.
Ochaya is just a 5-minute walk from Sangsu Station Exit 1, making it very accessible. It's located on the 2nd floor at 49 Wausan-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, and the clean exterior of the building really stood out. It's near the Hongdae cafรฉ street, so it wasn't hard to find!
What's the Atmosphere Like? A Paradise for Solo Diners!
When I went up to the second floor, wow, the atmosphere was really clean and cozy. The open windows gave a sense of openness, and you could feel the consideration for solo diners. There were even phone holders at the single seats, so it didn't feel awkward to dine alone.
You could feel the thoughtful touches throughout the store, like the water station set up neatly like a cafรฉ, and the freedom to charge your phone, which was really nice.
Choosing the Menu, Settled on Buta no Kakuni!
Ordering was convenient with the kiosk system. The menu included Buta no Kakuni Ochazuke for 13,500 won, Kaisen Chazuke for 14,500 won, Grilled Fish Ochazuke for 14,500 won, and Mentaiko Ochazuke for 10,000 won. After some deliberation, I decided on the Buta no Kakuni, which was said to have the most impressive visual!
And I was surprised to find out that if you participate in the review event, you get free Warabi Mochi. The prices were reasonable, the service was great, and I was already impressed.
The Arrival of Buta no Kakuni!
Wow... the visual was truly amazing! A whole strip of tenderly simmered pork was included, and it was so large that it was almost unbelievable. The glossy sheen made it look like something out of a comic book.
It was served as a neat set, with nutritious rice, seaweed, three types of side dishes, and a beautiful kettle filled with broth! It looked simple, but the combination was perfect with the ochazuke.
How Did It Taste?
The eating method was explained on the wall, so I followed it. First, you taste the pork and rice as is, and then you pour the broth over it.
The pork was so tender, it was surprising. It was simmered to the point where it would fall apart with just a light press of the spoon. The fatty part wasn't greasy at all and had a wonderfully soft texture. It was so delicious that I was curious about how they made it.
The nutritious rice included green onions, carrots, burdock, corn, and mushrooms, giving it a mild and healthy taste. The brown rice added a nice popping texture. Wrapping it in seaweed made it feel like 'this is the taste!' indeed.
Pouring the Broth for the True Ochazuke Experience!
After eating a bit, I poured the broth from the beautiful kettle to create the true ochazuke. It was a different experience from just pouring hot water at a rice pot restaurant.
Pouring the broth made the rice moist and added a deeper flavor. It was a healthy balance of sweet and salty, I would say? The soy sauce-based sauce infused into the pork balanced the overall taste, and the various ingredients in the nutritious rice provided a delightful texture.
A Great Place for Solo Dining!
The consideration for solo diners was truly outstanding. With single tables and counter seats, it didn't feel awkward at all to dine alone, and the spaciousness of the store provided a sense of privacy.
And above all, the fact that you can refill the nutritious rice and white rice was really great. In these times of high prices, such a service was truly touching.
Overall: A Must-Visit Restaurant!
It was amazing and grateful to be able to enjoy ochazuke, which I had only tried in Japan and missed, so close in Hongdae. The taste was excellent, the service was thoughtful, and the prices were reasonable.
The Buta no Kakuni, which I tried for the first time, was particularly impressive. I think anyone who loves ochazuke or rice pot dishes would find it delicious.
Next time, I want to try the Kaisen Chazuke and also have the Warabi Mochi for dessert. If you're near Hongdae, Hapjeong, or Sangsu and want a hearty and healthy meal, I highly recommend it!
