Butai 1 Mak, a COEX Restaurant: The Perfect Harmony of Mazesoba and Hirekatsu
Finally, I Took on Butai 1 Mak
After finishing an off-site work assignment at COEX, I was wondering where to have lunch, and I finally took on 'Butai 1 Mak' , a place I had always hesitated to try due to the long wait times. This place is famous for its Japanese-style mazesoba and tonkatsu, and I entered with a mixture of anticipation and excitement.
The restaurant is located in the basement, so it was a little difficult to find at first. The sign wasn’t that big, which made me wonder “Is this the right place?” but the strong aroma of food and the queue of people from the entrance reassured me that I was at the correct spot. Since it was right after the lunch break time, there were already several teams waiting, but thankfully, the turnover was quick, and I was able to get a seat soon. The interior was small and clean, and it was also fun to watch the cooking process in the open kitchen.
Signature Menu: Mazesoba
The first thing I ordered was the signature menu item, Mazesoba . As you can see in the picture, it was generously topped with various garnishes. The moment I cracked the egg yolk and started mixing it, the visuals already declared that this was going to be delicious! When I took a bite, the chewiness of the noodles and the combination of salty yet savory seasoning were amazing. In particular, the flavor was doubled when I sprinkled it with a little sansho pepper and kelp vinegar.
After finishing the noodles, I mixed the leftover sauce with rice, which was very satisfying. The deep flavor of the sauce that had soaked into every grain of rice gave me the feeling of eating another dish. Mazesoba was more than just a noodle dish; it was a satisfying meal in itself.
The Unique Ebi-Soba Maki
The Ebi-Soba Maki I ordered together was a unique menu item. It felt like a kimbap (seaweed rice roll) made with soba noodles, and it contained crispy fried shrimp and cheese inside. When I bit into it, I could feel both crispiness and softness at the same time, but I personally felt it was a bit bland. Still, when dipped in soy sauce, the flavor came to life. I thought the Ebi-Soba Maki was perfect as a light side menu.
The Charm of the Hirekatsu Set Meal
And one of the highlights was the Hirekatsu Set Meal ! When I bit into the thick hirekatsu (pork fillet cutlet), the combination of crispy breading and moist meat was fantastic. Dipping it in the Himalayan salt and olive oil that came with it brought out the flavor of the meat even more. It was also very hearty with the salad and broth that were served with it.
In particular, the breading of the hirekatsu was not greasy and was crispy, allowing me to enjoy it without any guilt until the last piece. The texture of the soft meat, as well as the clean and delicious side dishes, made it a well-made set overall.
A Perfect Meal Finished Off with Beer
Lastly, I finished the meal off with a glass of draft beer. The refreshing and clean beer taste felt like it cleansed the greasy food completely. I realized once again that beer and fried dishes are a perfect match. It was great to be able to enjoy a glass of beer so leisurely during the daytime.
The Reactions of My Colleagues
Even my colleagues who didn't particularly like tacos responded positively, saying, "This is actually good!" In particular, they were impressed with the flavor of the meat and the texture of the tortillas, and they even talked about going back again next time. So, you could say that it was a success, right? It was a place where everyone had a satisfying time.
Why I Recommend It
Villagerrero is a great place to have a light drink and enjoy different food after an event at COEX. With reasonable prices, carefully made tacos, and cold beer, I highly recommend that you visit without hesitation. It's a great place to experience the joy of daytime drinking.
