By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The Hongik University area, better known as Hongdae, is full of pleasant surprises, many of them culinary. Among the numerous tasty and attractive restaurants scattered along the streets of the area is a small Japanese place where many line up without hesitation: ``Donburi.''
Donburi is a Japanese rice bowl dish in which fish, meat, vegetables and other ingredients are simmered together and served over steamy rice. The toppings and sauce are what makes the dish special ― people can choose their favorite ingredients.
The restaurant is far from spacious, with only three tables and small chairs lined up where you can eat and watch your food being cooked.
Fit for about 20 guests, and with the owner and cooks shouting out ``hello'' and ``thank you'' from time to time, you will easily feel right at home.
The menu consists of various donburi dishes, including katsudon (deep fried pork cutlets, onion and egg on rice, 6,000 won), tendon (tempura shrimp and vegetables on rice, 8,000 won), unadon (grilled eel on rice, 8,000 won) and sakedon (salmon sashimi on rice, 8,000 won).
We ordered the ebi katsudon (deep fried prawns, onion and egg on rice), the salmon belly donburi (10,000 won) and the roasted salmon head (9,000 won). The ebi katsudon comes in two sizes and prices (7,000 and 6,000 won), depending on the size of the prawns. We ordered the bigger one.
The first dish was a treat, with three large deep-fried prawns covering the steamy rice and caramelized onions. The sweet soy sauce was delicious, harmonizing the rice and onions and also the egg that was placed over the dish. The prawns were steamy and juicy, not the small, thin and dry kind offered at ordinary donburi restaurants.
The salmon belly dish was apparently a popular one and it was easy to see why as soon as we took a bite. The salmon was tender and so soft that it felt like it was melting. With a generous portion of pink salmon sashimi placed on top of the steaming rice, the dish was scrumptious and satisfying in almost every way.
The roasted salmon head was a surprise. Considering the price of salmon in markets these days, devouring a full sized salmon's head would seem to cost a lot, but at Donburi it was offered in the same delicious, yet affordable manner. Quite hard to believe that the dish only cost 9,000 won, the roasted salmon was both satisfying in quantity and quality. As the ancient Chinese saying goes, the tastiest part of the fish is the head, and the roasted salmon indeed met our expectations.
The salmon was sweet and tender, and with the bowl of white rice it only took minutes to finish.
This particular dish is neither on the menu nor is it offered every day ― it is only served when it is available ― so it would be a good idea to call and ask if they have the dish ready for those who want to try it out.
Aside from the famous donburi dishes, the restaurant also offers other noodle and side dishes as well, including croquette and udon.
To get to Donburi, leave from exit 5 at the Hongik University station on subway line 2. Walk toward KT Sangsang Madang and turn right when you find the Su Noraebang ahead on your left. Then turn left on the first corner, where you will find Bongchu Jjimdak. Donburi is right next to the Bongchu restaurant.
Opening hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The last orders should be made at 9:40 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit www.katsudon.co.kr.