Clear beef gomtang near Hongik Univ. Station Exit 7: Baengni Gomtang

Hi, I'm Beomda, a newlywed in my 30s :) I love Japanese, Western, and Chinese food too, but Korean food is still my favorite! I used to enjoy bold, spicy flavors, but lately I find myself craving gentler food on the stomach, haha. I especially love warm, clear broth with rice, so while searching for a good Korean restaurant in Hongdae, I found Baengni Gomtang and paid a visit.

• Baengni Gomtang / 1st floor, 40-18 Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Hours 11:00 - 22:00
• Break time 15:00 - 17:00
• Last order 21:00

It's honestly not easy to find a clean, tidy Korean restaurant like this in Hongdae, so let me introduce the place where I enjoyed a great beef gomtang and tteokgalbi. :)

Where is Baengni Gomtang? 3-5 minutes from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 7

Baengni Gomtang is about a 3-5 minute walk from Exit 7 of Hongik University Station. It's not right on the main street — you have to walk a little into an alley — but following the map made it easy enough to find, haha.

The location is also convenient before or after meeting up with friends in Hongdae, so anyone looking for a good Korean restaurant near Hongik Univ. Station should check it out. Just note there's no parking on-site, so if you're driving, it's best to use a nearby public parking lot!

Inside Baengni Gomtang: a small, tidy dining room

Walking in, the space felt more charming and tidy than I expected.

True to a good Korean restaurant in Hongdae, there were traditional Korean touches here and there — I especially loved the mother-of-pearl cabinet, haha. It wasn't overly traditional in feel; the decor was clean and understated, making it a comfortable place to eat.

There's also a little photo zone outside the restaurant, so if you like taking pictures, it's worth stopping by before or after your meal!

And one thing I quietly care about at restaurants is the bathroom. At Baengni Gomtang, the bathroom is inside the restaurant, so you don't have to step outside — very convenient.

The bathroom was clean, and there were cute astronaut figurines that made me want to take a second look, haha. It also seemed like a comfortable spot for a solo meal, so it could be a good pick for anyone near Hongik Univ. Station looking for a solo dining spot.

Baengni Gomtang's table setting and review event freebie

The table at Baengni Gomtang came with paper cups, salt, pepper, and tissues. Spoons and chopsticks were individually wrapped in paper packets, which felt hygienic. These small details matter to me these days, and having them handled neatly made a great first impression.

During my visit, there was also a review event where you could choose either handmade tteokgalbi or a drink. Events like this can change over time, so it's worth checking when you visit!

How does the beef gomtang broth taste? Pepper only, no salt

Finally, the beef gomtang I'd been waiting for! I love warm broth like gukbap or gomtang, so this was the dish I was most looking forward to after searching for a good gomtang spot in Hongdae. The first sip was much cleaner than I expected.

It wasn't heavily seasoned or bold — the broth was mild with a subtle beefy flavor, and it really suited my taste. I don't usually eat salty food, so I didn't need to add any extra salt.

Instead, I added a bit more pepper, and personally I felt the pepper brought out the gomtang's flavor even more — really tasty, haha. If you prefer stronger seasoning, you can adjust with the salt on the table to your liking. If you're looking for gomtang in Hongdae and prefer a clean, comfortable style over a rich, heavy bone broth, this will suit you well.

Thick cuts of beef, a hint of ginseng, and squid jeotgal (salted squid)

The meat inside Baengni Gomtang's beef gomtang was also quite thick. It wasn't all thin slices — there was a satisfying chew to it, which I liked. The rice comes mixed right into the broth, so it was easy to scoop up a big spoonful at once.

Topping it with a bit of squid jeotgal (salted fermented squid) was the perfect finishing touch — that was the moment I felt it was worth coming to Baengni Gomtang, haha. There's also ginseng on top of the gomtang.

Every spoonful brought a subtle hint of ginseng aroma, which I found surprisingly nice. It wasn't overpowering, just a light touch that paired well with the soup. That said, eating the ginseng itself whole is still a bit much for me, lol. I enjoy the aroma, but eating it whole makes me think I'm not quite a true adult yet, haha.

The handmade tteokgalbi side and the banchan (side dishes)

I also ordered tteokgalbi as a side to go with the gomtang. It wasn't overly seasoned and had a texture that felt like the meat was hand-minced. There was a subtle meaty aroma with each bite that I really liked, haha.

It wasn't too sweet or too salty, so it paired well with the gomtang. If you're visiting Baengni Gomtang for the beef gomtang, adding tteokgalbi as a side is worth considering.

The basic banchan (side dishes) also paired well with the gomtang. The squid jeotgal in particular is tasty even just spooned over plain rice, and it went well with the warm gomtang too, haha. The potato salad was a nice refreshing bite in between, resetting my palate.

Is Baengni Gomtang worth it for an easy Korean meal in Hongdae?

Overall, Baengni Gomtang felt like a place I'd think of whenever I want a warm, non-spicy meal. Hongdae has so many great restaurants, but some days you're not in the mood for pasta, meat, or a drinking spot, and just want something gentle on the stomach. This is a great place for those days.

The clean broth in particular makes it a light choice even for lunch, and the generous amount of meat left me feeling full and satisfied after one bowl. So it seems like a good fit whether you're looking for a solo meal spot near Hongik Univ. Station or a Korean restaurant to eat with your parents.

If you love clear, mild broth like I do, it's worth checking out Baengni Gomtang, a great Korean restaurant in Hongdae. :) It's close to Hongik University Station, so it's easy to get to, the restaurant is clean, and most of all, the seasoning isn't overpowering, which made for a comfortable meal. Next time I'd like to try the beef yukhoe bibimbap and some of the other side dishes, haha.

Thankful for another delicious meal today. :)