Hakata Naka in Hongdae: Authentic Japanese Kyushu Home-style Meals and Chicken Nanban

Experience Authentic Japanese Kyushu Home-style Food in Hongdae

If you’re exploring Hongdae and craving Japanese home-style meals, Hakata Naka (하카타나카) offers a taste of Kyushu cuisine without leaving Seoul. Located just a 2 to 5-minute walk from Hongdae Entrance Station Exit 9, this Japanese restaurant specializes in traditional set meals featuring well-balanced dishes and quality ingredients.

Menu Highlights and Taste Profiles

Hakata Naka’s menu centers on set meals (정식) that include a main dish alongside side dishes like Japanese steamed egg custard (자완무시), ohitashi (오히다시)—a light vegetable side, and takana (타카나), a mildly spicy pickled mustard leaf. The rice served is made from premium Cheorwon Odae rice, praised for its glossy, fluffy texture and subtle sweetness, complementing the dishes perfectly.

Among the popular mains, the chicken nanban set (치킨난반 정식) stands out. It uses chicken breast with a thin, soft batter that is less crispy than typical fried chicken, coated in a sweet and tangy tartar sauce. This style may divide opinions, but many find it pleasantly moist and flavorful. For a more classic fried chicken experience, the karaage set (카라아게 정식) uses thigh meat, delivering a satisfying balance of crispiness and juiciness.

The tonjiru (돈지루), a pork miso soup rich with various ingredients, is often recommended and served with yuzu kosho, a citrus chili paste that adds a refreshing twist. Other notable dishes include the Mr. Tanaka set featuring grilled mackerel, egg-topped pork cutlet hot pot (katsudon nabe), karaage, and tonjiru.

Ambiance and Dining Experience

The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of a building near Hongdae’s bustling streets. It offers a clean, neat atmosphere with Japanese background music and a mix of seating options, including many seats for solo diners by the window, making it suitable for solo dining. Seating is mostly for 2 to 4 people, and groups larger than 4 may find it difficult to be accommodated.

Ordering is done directly with staff rather than kiosks, and water is served by the staff, adding a personal touch. Reservations are not accepted, and parking is unavailable, so public parking nearby is recommended. Expect weekend and evening waits, as the place is popular.

Recent Local References (as of May 2026)

• Visitors from Japan and locals alike praise the karaage and tonjiru for their authentic, rich flavors, often noting that these dishes surpass their counterparts in Japan.
• Reviews highlight the high-quality rice and the balanced side dishes that enhance the meal experience.
• Some find the chicken nanban’s soft batter and breast meat less crispy and a bit salty, but the tartar sauce helps balance the flavor.
• The steamed egg custard is described as smooth and pudding-like, with shrimp pieces adding texture.
• Overall, the restaurant is recognized for faithfully recreating Japanese home-style meals with a focus on quality and atmosphere.

Location & How to Access

Address: 2F, 50, Wausan-ro 23-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 와우산로23길 50 2F)

Access: A short walk from Hongdae Entrance Station Exit 9 (2 to 5 minutes).

Hours: Open Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday from 11:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 20:00. Closed every Wednesday. Break time from 16:00 to 17:00. Last orders at 15:00 and 20:00.

Parking: No on-site parking. Use nearby public parking lots.

Reservations: Not accepted.

Note: Please check current opening hours and availability before visiting, as details may change.