If you are looking for kimbap in Seoul that is more substantial than a convenience-store roll, Horse Kimbap near Gyodae Station is worth considering.
Horse Kimbap, written as 홀스김밥 in Korean, specializes in handmade kimbap and dakgangjeong, Korean sweet and crispy fried chicken. It may sound like an unusual combination, but the two foods work surprisingly well together.
I first visited the restaurant after returning to Korea from two years of traveling around Southeast Asia. I had begun cooking at home again, but kimbap was one dish I kept postponing. Preparing rice, egg and several vegetables for one person requires more effort than it appears.
When I heard about a small kimbap restaurant near Gyodae Station, I decided to try it. I ordered green onion tuna kimbap and dakgangjeong to take home. A few months later, I was still thinking about the chicken, so I returned for lunch and ate at the restaurant.
That second visit confirmed that this was not simply a convenient lunch stop. It had become one of the Seoul kimbap restaurants I genuinely wanted to revisit.
Horse Kimbap Location and Opening Hours
Horse Kimbap is located in Seocho-gu, not far from Gyodae Station. The official English name of the station is Seoul National University of Education Station, but most local residents simply call it Gyodae Station.
The neighborhood is filled with offices, restaurants and small cafes, making it busy around lunchtime on weekdays.
Horse Kimbap Main Store
- Korean name: 홀스김밥 본점
- Address: 90 Seochojungang-ro 22-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
- Korean address: 서울 서초구 서초중앙로22길 90 1층 101호
- Nearest station: Gyodae Station
- Opening hours: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Break time: 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Closed: Sunday
- Telephone: 02-522-0188
View Horse Kimbap on Google Maps
Opening hours and closing days may change. Check the restaurant’s latest information before making a special trip.
The storefront is easy to recognize by its large white sign with a horse illustration. Plants and handwritten menu boards in front give it the appearance of a friendly neighborhood restaurant rather than a polished chain.
The restaurant continued to receive takeout orders while I was eating. Staff members were also preparing numerous lunch boxes, each containing kimbap and fried chicken.
Inside Horse Kimbap
The restaurant has a casual layout with small tables and counter-style seating. I visited at approximately 1:30 p.m., after the busiest part of the lunch rush, and had no difficulty finding a seat.
The long counter along the wall is particularly useful for solo diners. I could sit down without feeling that I was occupying a table intended for a larger group.
The boxes looked practical for an office lunch, meeting or small group gathering. Travelers will probably visit for an individual meal, but the large takeout order showed how popular this combination is among local customers.
What Is Kimbap?
Kimbap, also spelled gimbap, is a Korean rice roll wrapped in dried seaweed. A basic roll usually contains seasoned rice, egg, pickled radish and vegetables. Other versions may include tuna, cheese, beef, kimchi or fried food.
It can resemble Japanese sushi at first glance, but the flavor and preparation are different. Kimbap rice is usually seasoned with sesame oil rather than sushi vinegar, and the fillings are generally cooked or pickled.
Kimbap is eaten as a quick lunch, snack, picnic food or takeaway meal in Korea. You can find inexpensive rolls at markets and convenience stores, while specialized restaurants often use more fillings and less rice.
Horse Kimbap belongs to the second group. Its rolls have a thin layer of purple rice and a generous amount of egg and vegetables.
My First Order: Green Onion Tuna Kimbap
During my first visit, I ordered green onion tuna kimbap and dakgangjeong to take home.
It took me approximately one hour to reach home, but the chicken was still crisp when I opened the package. The kimbap was even more surprising because it contained much more tuna than I expected.
The rice formed only a narrow layer around the edge. Most of the roll was filled with tuna, shredded vegetables and green onion.
Despite its name, the green onion flavor was not overpowering. It added a light crunch and freshness that balanced the creamy tuna. I also tried adding a small amount of fresh wasabi at home, which gave the rich filling a sharper finish.
This is not the easiest kimbap to eat neatly because the pieces are large and heavily filled. However, that generous filling was also what made it memorable.
Returning for the Kimbap and Chicken Set
A few months later, I returned because I kept thinking about the dakgangjeong. This time, I ate inside the restaurant and ordered the kimbap and chicken set.
The set cost KRW 11,000 at the time of my visit. It included pieces of basic kimbap and a small serving of fried chicken.
This was a practical choice for solo dining. Ordering one full roll and a separate portion of chicken can be too much for one person, but the set allowed me to try both without leaving a large amount of food.
Prices and set contents may change, so use the current menu at the restaurant as your reference.
Vegetable-Packed Kimbap With Purple Rice
The basic kimbap looked simple, but its proportions were different from many inexpensive rolls. It contained more vegetables and egg than rice.
The roll contained thick egg, carrot, cucumber and finely chopped pickled radish. The different colors made each piece especially appetizing.
I was undergoing orthodontic treatment during this visit, so large pieces of crunchy pickled radish could be uncomfortable to chew. Horse Kimbap used finely chopped radish, which made the roll much easier for me to eat.
This detail may not matter to everyone, but it demonstrated how a small change in preparation can improve the overall texture.
The pieces were still quite large, so travelers who prefer smaller bites may want to eat them carefully rather than trying to fit an entire piece into their mouth.
Dakgangjeong: The Reason I Returned
Dakgangjeong is Korean fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory glaze. Some versions are sticky and very sweet, while others are spicy or covered with nuts.
Horse Kimbap’s version had a relatively thin coating and remained crisp beneath the sauce. The sweetness was noticeable but not excessive.
Fresh green chili peppers were scattered over the chicken. Eating a piece of pepper with the fried chicken helped cut through the sweetness and richness.
Be careful, however, because the heat level can vary. One pepper may taste mild, while another can be surprisingly spicy.
The chicken was the main reason I made a second trip. I have eaten dakgangjeong in several regions of Korea, but this version stood out for its crisp texture and restrained sweetness.
Adding Cup Noodles to the Meal
Horse Kimbap focuses on kimbap and chicken rather than cooking bowls of ramyeon. Instead, the restaurant sells several kinds of instant cup noodles. Hot water is available, and diners can select whichever flavor they prefer.
This system keeps the menu simple while still offering one of Korea’s most familiar food combinations: kimbap and ramyeon.
I chose Jin Jjambbong, a spicy seafood-flavored noodle soup. Alternating between a piece of kimbap, a bite of chicken and the hot noodles made the meal much more filling.
The cup noodles are optional. The kimbap and chicken set alone should be sufficient for a lighter lunch, while adding noodles makes it a substantial meal.
What I Liked and What to Consider
Horse Kimbap worked particularly well for me as a solo lunch restaurant.
What I liked
- Counter seating suitable for solo diners
- More vegetables and filling than rice
- A set that combines kimbap and dakgangjeong
- Chicken that remains crisp under the sauce
- Cup noodles available for anyone who wants a larger meal
- Takeout and lunch-box options
What to consider
- The kimbap pieces are large
- Fresh chili peppers can be very spicy
- The restaurant has a break time in the afternoon
- Lunch hours may be busy because of nearby offices
- English service and an English menu are not guaranteed
Learning a few menu words can make ordering easier:
- Kimbap: 김밥
- Dakgangjeong: 닭강정
- Set menu: 세트
- Takeout: 포장
- Eat here: 먹고 갈게요
Is Horse Kimbap a Good Place for Kimbap in Seoul?
Yes, if you are staying near Gyodae Station or want to try kimbap and Korean fried chicken in one meal.
I would not recommend crossing all of Seoul only for a basic kimbap roll. Seoul has many excellent neighborhood kimbap restaurants. However, Horse Kimbap’s vegetable-heavy rolls and crispy dakgangjeong make it a useful food stop if you are exploring southern or central Seoul.
It is also a comfortable option for solo travelers. The counter seating, quick service and individual set menu remove many of the awkward parts of eating alone in an unfamiliar restaurant.
For my first visit, the generous tuna kimbap was the surprise. On my second visit, the dakgangjeong was still the highlight.
Try a Korean Herbal Tea Experience in Seoul
If you want to explore Korean culture beyond restaurants, consider joining a Korean herbal tea experience with a licensed Korean herbal pharmacist.
During the class, participants learn about traditional ingredients and create a personalized seasonal tea blend. Depending on the selected package, the program may also include a hands-on herbal wellness activity.
The experience is conducted in English and is designed for small groups. It can be an interesting addition to a Seoul itinerary for travelers who prefer interactive cultural activities to conventional sightseeing.
Check the Korean Herbal Tea Experience on Klook
Check the date, language, meeting location, package details and cancellation policy before booking.
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. If you make a booking through the link, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I did not participate in this activity as part of my Horse Kimbap visit. It is included as a separate Seoul experience you may wish to consider.
More Seoul Food and Culture Guides
Continue planning your Seoul trip with these firsthand guides:
- Namdaemun Market Food: My Honest Lunch at Kalguksu Alley
- Bank of Korea Money Museum: A Free Myeongdong Attraction
- Horim Museum: Korean Art and Visitor Guide in Seoul
Horse Kimbap reminded me that finding satisfying kimbap in Seoul does not require a complicated meal. A colorful roll of kimbap, a few pieces of crispy chicken and a cup of hot noodles were enough to make me return several months later.