Walk-in-only Hongdae restaurant in Seoul for a late lunch trio: Anok

Today I want to tell you about a Korean restaurant I found near Hongik University Station. I went looking for a solid Hongdae lunch spot to eat with a friend, and I stumbled onto this place — a hanok restaurant with a serene, traditional vibe serving clear, deep broths, called Anok (안옥).

When lunch is usually delivery food or something Western and heavy, there are days you suddenly crave a warm, gentle broth. Anok, built around house-simmered clear stock, serves everything from clear gomtang to Pyeongyang naengmyeon to some distinctive dishes — perfect for lunch.

How to walk to Anok from Hongik University Station Exit 9

Anok sits down an alley about a 7-minute walk (365m) from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station, heading toward Hongik-ro. Even though it's not far from the lively heart of Hongdae, once you turn into the alley it's surprisingly quiet and calm.

• Address: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00)
• Closed: Every Monday
• Parking: Use nearby public parking lots

Given the neighborhood, Anok has no dedicated parking of its own, so anyone driving needs to use a nearby public lot. Seating runs on a walk-in, first-come-first-served basis, with no general reservations taken. Group tables can seat up to 12, though, and larger bookings or private hire can be confirmed by phone.

Passing through the wooden gate at the alley entrance, the pebbles and stepping stones underfoot along with the elegant hanok eaves make it feel like stepping into another world in the middle of the city. It'd be a great Hongdae date spot, but also lovely for bringing parents, or a foreign friend curious about refined Korean food.

Inside Anok's hanok hall after the lunch peak, and what's on the menu

Inside, the wood-toned hanok interior was neat and orderly. Even though I visited after the lunch peak, plenty of seats were still filled, and I noticed a few solo diners too.

The menu was packed with hearty, clean lunch dishes like clear gomtang, Pyeongyang naengmyeon, and yukhoe bibimbap, alongside evening drinking-food options like hot pots and meat dishes — pork tail jjim, cold pork jeyuk, yukhoe, and pancakes. I went generous today and ordered the signature clear gomtang, a refreshing bowl of Pyeongyang naengmyeon, and the house specialty, pork tail jjim.

What does Anok's clear gomtang broth taste like?

Anok's gomtang wasn't the milky, heavy bone-broth style the name might suggest — it was clear, transparent, and skimmed of fat. After ordering, the side dishes and main dishes arrived in elegant ceramic bowls shortly after, and I dove into the broth first.

Thick, thinly sliced meat piled generously over the rice had absolutely no gamey smell — clean-tasting yet savory the more you chewed.

The broth itself wasn't harsh or salty — mild enough that I never got tired of it, and it left my stomach feeling settled. If you're after a truly great Hongdae gukbap restaurant, this clear broth alone is worth the trip.

Is Anok's Pyeongyang naengmyeon easy for first-timers?

Anok's Pyeongyang naengmyeon is a water-based cold noodle dish built on the same house-simmered clear broth. Unlike the typical sweet-and-tangy naengmyeon you find elsewhere, it had a mild, subtly meaty broth that was appealingly clean. It's approachable enough for naengmyeon beginners, and its clean flavor made it perfect to share one bowl with the gukbap.

Anok's pork tail jjim: texture and seasoning on a first try

And now, the main event — Anok's pork tail jjim (braised pork tail). I've had ox tail jjim a few times, but this was my very first time trying pork tail, so I was really curious how it would taste and feel. One bite in, and I couldn't help but blurt out that it was genuinely delicious. The outside was springy like well-boiled, tender jokbal (pig's feet) skin, while the inside was chewy and soft — it melted right into the mouth.

The salty, sweet-and-spicy sauce soaked in was seriously appetizing — the kind of umami any Korean would fall for instantly. Despite being my first time trying it, I had zero hesitation and couldn't put my chopsticks down. Best of all, after a bite of the richly seasoned pork tail, taking a sip of the mild naengmyeon broth or clear gomtang balanced everything out perfectly — the pairing was fantastic.

Why Anok is worth it for lunch in Hongdae, Seoul

Just being able to enjoy this calm, traditional hanok atmosphere right in the middle of Hongdae is a draw on its own, but getting clear broth that lets the ingredients speak for themselves, plus that chewy pork tail jjim, made for a truly satisfying lunch. If you're after an easygoing Hongdae lunch restaurant with nothing overpowering, or a Hongdae gukbap restaurant with clear, deep broth to settle your stomach, this is well worth a visit.

• A convenient 7-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station
• Comforting clear gomtang with no gamey smell, and mild Pyeongyang naengmyeon broth
• Chewy, tender pork tail jjim that wins over even first-time eaters
• A serene hanok setting perfect for dates, hosting foreign guests, or small gatherings