Hongdae restaurant in Seoul for yukhoe with clear gomtang: Anok

Hongdae has so many good restaurants that it's always hard to decide where to go. This time I went looking for somewhere to enjoy Korean food in a slightly different atmosphere, and ended up at Anok in Seogyo-dong.

What is Anok? A standalone hanok down a Hongdae alley

Anok is a Korean restaurant set in a standalone hanok (traditional Korean house), a little different from the bustling atmosphere Hongdae is usually known for, tucked inside an alley.

Once you step inside the hanok building, the interior keeps that traditional feel too, so it was a bit surprising to find a space like this in Hongdae.

Seating at Anok: two-seat and four-seat tables

Walking in, there were more seats than I expected.

You can really feel the wood and the sense of space typical of a hanok, and with both 2-seat and 4-seat tables available, it looked like a good spot for a family visit or a meal with a bigger group.

Anok's menu and its 48-hour broth

What I ordered that day was clear gomtang, Pyongyang naengmyeon (water-based), and yukhoe. Looking at Anok's menu, alongside the clear gomtang there's Pyongyang naengmyeon in both water and bibim (mixed) styles, yukhoe bibimbap, braised pork tail, and a variety of other Korean dishes :)

Anok notes that its broth is simmered comfortably for over 48 hours, and it was impressive to know that so much time and care goes into the broth the dishes are built on.

Clear gomtang, 13,000 won: dipping the beef in dadaegi chili paste

The clear gomtang (₩13,000) arrived first, and true to its name, the broth was clear and clean-looking. It felt a bit different from the milky-white gomtang most people imagine, which caught my eye right away. Before mixing in rice, I tried the broth on its own — it was mild yet had a subtle, deep flavor.

There was meat in it too, which went well with rice, and I think it would suit anyone who prefers a clean flavor over a heavily seasoned soup.

Dipping the meat in the dadagi (chili paste condiment) served alongside was a great combination too :)

Pyongyang naengmyeon 14,000 won with yukhoe 26,000 won

Next up was the Pyongyang naengmyeon (₩14,000) I'd been looking forward to. The clear broth held neatly arranged noodles and toppings, and it looked as clean as it tasted. If you like the subtle, understated flavor naengmyeon is known for, this is the kind of bowl to savor slowly.

The yukhoe (₩26,000) we also ordered came out neatly plated, and pairing it between the mild gomtang and the naengmyeon gave the meal some nice variation along the way. Ordering several dishes to share, rather than sticking to just one, meant I got to try a bit of everything Anok has to offer.

Why Anok's hanok setting suits visitors from abroad

What stayed with me most that day wasn't just the food but the space itself. When people think of the area near Hongik University Station, they usually picture a young, lively atmosphere — but Anok, tucked inside a standalone hanok down an alley, offers a calm meal that feels different from that. It's the kind of restaurant that comes to mind when there's a chance to introduce visiting foreigners to a distinctly Korean dining spot 🫰🏻

There's also a menu board posted outside the entrance, so you can check what's on offer and the prices before stepping in 👍🏻

How to find Anok: location and opening hours

• 📍 Anok: 1F, 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰ Hours: 11:00–22:00 (closed Mondays)

If you're looking for a Korean restaurant in Hongdae that's a bit off the beaten path, one where you can enjoy the hanok atmosphere along with the food, I'd recommend Anok. With a menu ranging from clear gomtang to naengmyeon to yukhoe, it works just as well for lunch as for a group dinner :)