About Hoho Sikdang

Japanese Comfort Food in Seoul

Hoho Sikdang first opened in 2016 in a charming hanok near Hyehwa. From the beginning, the brand focused on Japanese home-style meals served in a peaceful, tranquil space. Since then, Hoho Sikdang has expanded to some of the most popular neighborhoods in Seoul, including Ikseon-dong, Seongsu, Starfield COEX and now Times Square Seoul.

Menu & Pricing

Hoho Sikdang’s menu centers around Japanese comfort dishes including donkatsu, donburi (rice bowls), omurice, and even pasta options. Some of the most popular items include the hire katsu, sake (salmon) donburi, and the uni pasta. Each meal is served with a basic table setting that includes miso soup and small side dishes like pickled radish, cucumber, and ginger. Most main dishes are priced in the mid-to-high 10,000 KRW range, with a few premium options like the unagi don and sake don in the 20,000 KRW range.

What I Ordered

For this visit, we ordered three dishes: Katsu Nabe, Avocado Natto Donuri, and Beef Gyudon.

Katsu Nabe

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

This is a Japanese-style hot pot dish where pork cutlet and large fried shrimp are simmered in a soy-based broth with egg. Because the cutlet is simmered, the crispy coating naturally softens as it absorbs the broth.

The broth leaned sweet and savory with a pronounced soy-based depth. When serving the dish, the staff advised us not to mix all the rice directly into the pot. The broth is quite concentrated, so it’s better to enjoy the rice separately rather than mixing everything together. The egg helped round out the richness and slightly soften the intensity, bringing a softer finish to each bite.

Avocado Natto Donburi

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Natto, fermented soybeans, is known for its slimy texture and distinct aroma, which are not universally loved. The sticky strings may be unfamiliar if you haven’t tried it before but if you already enjoy natto, this donburi is a great option.

At Hoho Sikdang, organic Japanese natto is paired with avocado over rice. The rich creaminess of the avocado balances the nutty umami of the natto surprisingly well. I also liked the vinegared sweetness of the white rice; the lightly seasoned rice helped balance the relatively blend & mild flavors of the toppings, bringing the whole bowl together in a more harmonious way.

Beef Gyudon

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Beef Gyudon is perhaps the safest and most approachable dish of the three. Thinly sliced beef is simmered in soy sauce and topped with a raw egg yolk and pickled ginger. The egg yolk adds richness that coats both the beef and rice. And the soft, gently simmered onions and the generous topping of pickled ginger added brightness and texture, which helped keep the bowl from feeling too simple.

Vibe & Atmosphere

Hoho Sikdang’s interior attempts to preserve a warm and comfortable ambiance. While the Times Square branch does not replicate the original hanok architecture, I could notice similar design accents like the paper lamps and wood-toned furniture. The overall interior leans minimalistic and modern, and the open layout gives a brighter, more spacious feel despite being inside a busy shopping mall.

The restaurant was filled with families enjoying their weekend lunch, making the overall vibe feel welcoming and kid-friendly. Ordering is done conveniently through a tablet device at the table, and the service experience felt smooth and organized even during peak hours.