Mapo Korean restaurant for hanwoo gomtang: Doonjeong Hongdae

Where did I go for a hot bowl of gomtang in Hongdae?

I went to Doonjeong Hongdae Direct Branch for a filling meal with hot broth.

I was curious about the broth because I heard it had been selected for the Blue Ribbon in both 2025 and 2026.

Is it easy to reach from Hongik University Station?

The restaurant is on the first floor at 183-12 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. I took the subway and walked from the station, and it did not feel far.

The sign was easy to spot, so I had no trouble finding the restaurant.

Are there seats for solo diners and groups?

The interior had a warm wood-toned atmosphere and felt clean and well maintained. There was space for solo diners as well as group seating for four or more. I felt that I could eat comfortably even on my own.

How much was the chadol hanwoo gomtang, and how did it taste?

I heard that only female hanwoo cattle are used for the meat dishes. I ordered the chadol hanwoo gomtang, which cost ₩18,000.

The gomtang (beef soup) came in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot), and I could smell its savory aroma as it was set down.

When I took a spoonful of the broth, I could taste its deep, savory flavor and umami.

The kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) and kimchi served alongside it were good too.

There was plenty of chadolbagi (thinly sliced beef brisket), so I had meat with the soup until the end. I did not notice any unpleasant meat smell, and its tender texture went well with the broth.

How were the minari jeon and dressed beef with the gomtang?

I also ordered the beef minari jeon (water parsley pancake). It arrived golden brown, with a crisp texture, the fragrant taste of minari, and the mild flavor of beef coming together.

I ordered the dressed beef as a half plate. Its sweet-tangy seasoning cut through the richness of the chadolbagi gomtang, making it good to alternate between the two.

With the half-plate option, I thought it would also be a good side dish for one or two people. I finished every drop of the gomtang broth that day and ended the meal feeling full. The sujeong gomtang at the next table also caught my eye, and I wanted to try it next time.