Avocado buckwheat gimbap at Insa-dong makguksu restaurant Goshine

It had been a while since I'd enjoyed a wonderful exhibition in Insa-dong, and I spent a time full of feeling. Once we'd seen everything, we got hungry and, after some thought about where to go, my son and daughter-in-law and I headed to 'Goshine Donghae Makguksu.'

Goshine Donghae Makguksu started in Gangneung and is now run by the second generation — a leading Gangwon-do restaurant that in 2020 first developed buckwheat gimbap (seaweed rice roll) made with black-vinegar-aged buckwheat noodles.

From Yangyang perilla oil makguksu to Chodang soft tofu makguksu to Gangwon-do ggamak-jang bossam, the menu is full of distinctive dishes made with good Gangwon-do ingredients — perfect for a nice meal after the exhibition.

Where is Goshine Donghae Makguksu in Insa-dong, and what are its hours?

Goshine Donghae Makguksu Jongno branch is located at 3 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, open daily from 11:00 to 21:30 with a break time from 16:00 to 17:00.

• 📍 3 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰ Daily 11:00–21:30 (break time 16:00–17:00)
• 🅿️ Parking: no dedicated lot, so you'll need to use nearby paid parking
• 🚇 By public transit, 5 minutes from Anguk Station Exit 6

A hanok exterior and an interior full of Insa-dong atmosphere

Arriving at the entrance, the elegant hanok (traditional Korean house) exterior caught my eye first.

I noticed a sign saying 'buckwheat gimbap available to go' as we stepped inside, and the Korean charm was already unmistakable right from the entrance.

Inside, string puppets used in traditional puppet shows hung from the ceiling, and it was fun to look at them together with my son and daughter-in-law.

On the walls, nostalgic old Korean historical photos and quiet hemp-fabric patchwork (jogakbo) were displayed, adding to the distinctly antique atmosphere.

The handsome exposed rafters on the ceiling were also full of charm, and overall the seating was spacious and very neatly kept.

There was also a nice group seating area, which looked great for gatherings.

We took a charming window seat with a good view of the greenery outside, and chatting while looking out the window felt naturally healing.

There was also a clean, well-stocked self-service bar where you could easily grab extra side dishes.

Goshine Donghae's menu and what the family ordered

At Goshine Donghae Makguksu Jongno branch, you order conveniently via a tablet placed on the table, and the sets are ₩21,000 for one person and ₩38,000 for two.

• 1-person set ₩21,000 / 2-person set ₩38,000
• Menu categories: bossam sets, buckwheat makguksu, meal dishes, keto buckwheat gimbap, appetizers & sides, drinks/alcohol

Since we wanted to try a bit of everything, we ordered generously: perilla oil makguksu with the 2-person set, refreshing cold water makguksu, and the avocado buckwheat gimbap I'd been looking forward to.

How the perilla oil makguksu, bossam, water makguksu and avocado gimbap tasted

For basic side dishes, tangy, neatly prepared yeolmu kimchi (young radish greens kimchi) and mu kimchi (radish kimchi) were set out cleanly.

1. Perilla oil makguksu with house-made buckwheat noodles

The perilla oil makguksu finally arrived! Loaded with perilla oil, its nutty aroma filled my mouth, and topped with seaweed flakes and fresh green sprouts, it looked delicious just to see.

Maybe because the noodles are made in-house, the texture was really chewy and had a deep flavor coming from the noodles themselves.

The nuttiness of the perilla oil and the carefully made noodles came together for the best kind of flavor — healthy yet completely satisfying.

2. Tender bossam pork with no gamey smell

The 2-person bossam (boiled pork) came out beautifully arranged, 12 pieces in total, 6 per serving.

Topped lightly with the accompanying special sauce, the meat was so tender and soft!

There wasn't a trace of gaminess, just savory goodness, and my son and daughter-in-law really enjoyed it too, saying it was delicious. It's a flavor anyone, of any age, could love.

3. Water makguksu in an ice-cold broth

Craving a cold broth, we added water makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in broth), and it was so refreshing it cleared right through you!

Paired with the perilla oil makguksu or the bossam, it went together perfectly.

4. Avocado buckwheat gimbap, striking from the first look

The avocado buckwheat gimbap I was most looking forward to exceeded my expectations just visually.

Savory almonds were sprinkled on top, with soft avocado piled generously over them — a mouthwatering sight just to look at.

Taking a bite, the fresh, subtly sweet avocado and the deep flavor of the buckwheat blended harmoniously, filling my mouth with rich flavor.

Verdict: is Goshine Donghae good for a family meal after an exhibition?

Our Insa-dong outing, which started happily with the exhibition, ended with a lovely meal and conversation with my son and daughter-in-law in such a nice, tidy place — an all-around happy day.

From the distinctive chewy texture of the house-made high-quality buckwheat noodles, to the tender bossam, to the wonderfully unusual and delicious avocado buckwheat gimbap!

It's a place where you can taste true Gangwon-do flavors in a hanok space full of Korean charm. If you're looking for a tidy, distinctive restaurant to visit after an Insa-dong outing or an exhibition date, be sure to visit 'Goshine Donghae Makguksu' 💛