HoHo Sikdang, Seoul - Thokohmakan

HoHo Sikdang 호호식당 대학로점

[Non-halal] HoHo Sikdang (호호식당 대학로점) is a Japanese restaurant located in Seoul’s theatre district, Daehakro. Housed in a hanokjip (traditional Korean house), it’s just a five-minute walk from Hyehwa Station and serves crowd-pleasers like pork tonkatsu and Japanese-style pasta.

If you’re looking for a dose of culture in Seoul, Daehakro (University Street) is well worth a visit. It’s the city’s main theatre district, home to more than 150 performing arts venues within a 1.6 km stretch, with landmarks such as Marronnier Park and the Hongik Daehangno Art Center.

Naturally, the area is also packed with cafés and restaurants catering to theatre-goers before and after shows.

We dropped by HoHo Sikdang, which is tucked away in one of the area’s charming side alleys.

Lovely Japanese food in a hanok

While HoHo Sikdang has several branches in Seoul, this particular outlet occupies a traditional Korean house with a welcoming zen garden and a cosy, comfortable interior.

Popular items on the menu include Unagi on Rice, Pork Tenderloin Cutlet, and Japanese-style pasta.

We tried the Pork Tenderloin Cutlet (KRW 16,000 / ~USD 11). The meat was cooked to perfect tenderness, with a slight pink centre and a nicely crisp batter.

But the standout dish for us was the Pasta with Pollack Roe (KRW 18,000 / ~USD 12). Served al dente, the pasta was luxuriously coated in oil, with zesty notes from zucchini and lemon, and savoury pops from the roe.