Hongdae Seoul hanok restaurant a naengmyeon lover approved: Anok
In short
Anok is a hanok Korean restaurant in an alley in Hongdae, Mapo, Seoul, about 7 minutes on foot from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station. On a cool day, lunch at Anok was Pyongyang naengmyeon (buckwheat cold noodles, 14,000 won), clear gomtang (beef bone soup, 13,000 won) and steamed pork tail (29,000 won), and the mild, lightly seasoned broth won over a friend who is a devoted Pyongyang naengmyeon fan. If you want a clean, comforting meal built around broth in a hanok setting, Anok is the answer.
Good to know
- Location
- 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (365m from Exit 9, Hongik University Station, about 7 minutes on foot)
- Hours
- 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00)
- Closed
- Every Monday
- Pyongyang naengmyeon
- 14,000 won
- Clear gomtang
- 13,000 won
- Steamed pork tail
- 29,000 won
- Group seating
- Up to 12 people; seats are limited, so call ahead
- Parking
- No private lot; use nearby public parking
- Other
- Takeout and delivery available; no pets
- Price reference
- ₩14,000 ≈ $10 · ₩13,000 ≈ $9.4 · ₩29,000 ≈ $21 (2026-09-19)
as written by the visitor on Sep 17, 2026
The weather's turned cool lately, so it's been a lot of fun hunting down good food. Today I'm sharing a place in Hongdae where you can eat in a really nice, tidy setting. I had no idea a hanok this pretty was hiding just off the busy main street — I gasped the moment I walked in.
The place is called Anok (안옥), and if you love Pyongyang naengmyeon (buckwheat cold noodles) or gomtang (beef bone broth), you have to check it out.
Where is Anok in Hongdae, and its hours and parking
Anok is located at 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 365m from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station — about 7 minutes on foot. It's open 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00) and closed every Monday.
- Parking: because of the neighborhood, there's no dedicated lot at the restaurant, so if you're driving, you'll need to use a nearby public parking lot!
- Group seating is available for up to 12 people, but spots are limited, so calling ahead makes things easier.
- Takeout and delivery are available, but pets aren't allowed!
Walking down the alley, you're greeted by an entrance topped with stylish tiled roofing — this is Anok, today's Hongdae Pyongyang naengmyeon and gomtang restaurant.
Anok's hanok courtyard and dining room
From the entrance to the courtyard, Anok is decorated with a stone path and charming little details, making it great for photos. Step inside and a clean, warm hanok interior welcomes you.
Three dishes ordered for lunch at Anok, with prices
I happened to visit at lunchtime and was craving a clean bowl of soup, so I ordered generously across the board. Today's menu was Pyongyang naengmyeon (₩14,000), clear gomtang (₩13,000), and, to go alongside, steamed pork tail (₩29,000).
First, the side dishes came out neatly arranged — kimchi, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and pickled vegetables, a tidy lineup that pairs perfectly with both the soup and the noodles.
Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon: the mild broth a naengmyeon lover approved
The first thing that caught my eye was, of course, the refreshingly cool-looking Pyongyang naengmyeon.
The neat toppings sitting atop the clear, deep broth, paired with the buckwheat noodles, looked incredibly appetizing.
I took a sip of the broth first, and it wasn't artificial at all — deep yet mild, with a savoriness that slowly comes through. Really appealing.
The noodles also had that satisfying snap-in-your-mouth texture, and I immediately understood why this place is known as a Pyongyang naengmyeon spot.
I got it now — why everyone points to this place when they talk about the best Pyongyang naengmyeon in Hongdae.
My friend who came along is a self-proclaimed naengmyeon lover, and even she approved of the taste, haha.
Is Anok's clear gomtang a good Hongdae lunch?
Next up, the clear gomtang — the hot, rich broth was excellent.
Eating the rice together with the broth left me feeling completely satisfied and warmed up — I think this would be perfect for office workers or friend gatherings looking for the best gomtang or best lunch spot in Hongdae.
The meat was tender and clean, with no gamey smell at all, so I think it'd also be great for a meal with parents or for a more formal occasion.
The broth was so clear yet so deep — you could really feel that Anok has its own special method behind it.
So much meat packed in — very filling!
With the weather turning chilly these days, gomtang really hits the spot, haha.
Steamed pork tail alongside Anok's soup dishes
Last but definitely not least — the pork tail jjim (steamed pork tail), a delicacy among delicacies!
The visual alone, generously coated in a sweet-and-spicy sauce, made my mouth water.
The chewy yet tender texture was fantastic, and it paired really well alongside both the naengmyeon and the gomtang.
Eating the sweet-and-spicy jjim alongside the noodles or soup, which could otherwise be a bit mild on their own, gave the whole meal a perfect balance of flavors.
When Anok is worth a visit
If you're near Hongik University Station craving cool, clean noodles or a hot bowl of soup — or just want a good meal in a great atmosphere — you won't regret stopping by.
It's the kind of place where you can enjoy a thoughtfully made meal in a serene hanok setting, making me want to come back again. If you're ever in Hongdae, definitely stop by!
