Hongdae Korean restaurant in Seoul, three dishes no vinegar: Anok
In short
Anok is a newly opened hanok-style Korean restaurant in an alley off Hongik-ro in Mapo, Seoul, near the main Hongdae street. On a search for good Pyongyang naengmyeon, the order at Anok came to pork gomtang at 11,000 won, Pyongyang naengmyeon at 13,000 won and pork tail jjim at 28,000 won, and the clear broth tasted plain, with no vinegar or mustard added, was the highlight. For Pyongyang naengmyeon and gomtang in one meal in Hongdae, Anok is worth going back to.
Good to know
- Location
- 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (an alley just off the main Hongdae street)
- Pork gomtang
- 11,000 won
- Pyongyang naengmyeon
- 13,000 won
- Pork tail jjim (braised pork tail)
- 28,000 won
- Seating
- Tables set far apart, comfortable enough for solo diners
- Price reference
- ₩11,000 ≈ $7.9 · ₩13,000 ≈ $9.4 · ₩28,000 ≈ $20 (2026-09-20)
as written by the visitor on Sep 19, 2026
A Pyongyang naengmyeon spot to remember! From pork gomtang to Pyongyang naengmyeon to pork tail jjim, everything was perfect at 📍Anok.
Lately I'm oddly obsessed with Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles in a light broth). Ever since I discovered the charm of its clean meat aroma and mild broth, I've been hunting down Pyongyang naengmyeon spots all over Seoul.
That's how I found Anok, a new Korean restaurant in Hongdae. Not just the naengmyeon but the pork gomtang (pork bone soup) and pork tail jjim (braised pork tail) all exceeded expectations — a genuinely satisfying meal.♥️
If you're looking for a lunch spot or a Pyongyang naengmyeon place in Hongdae, this is worth checking out, so let me walk through it in detail.
Anok's location and atmosphere
A clean space with hanok character
True to its name, Anok's interior gives a modern take on hanok (traditional Korean house) atmosphere — striking. The wood-toned furniture and warm lighting create an overall calm feel, a nice contrast to Hongdae's usual bustle.
The table spacing was generous too, so it felt comfortable whether dining solo, with parents, or on a date.
It's tucked a bit inside an alley off the main Hongdae street, but still easy enough to find. Since it's a newly opened restaurant, the exterior is spotless, and the modern take on hanok character in the interior stood out.
What we ordered at Anok and the prices
We ordered three dishes total at Anok: pork gomtang (₩11,000), Pyongyang naengmyeon (₩13,000), and pork tail jjim (₩28,000).
Pyongyang naengmyeon, pork gomtang, pork tail jjim — this combo is great for 2-3 people, ordering a main plus a side to share.
So what does Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon taste like
Honestly the main reason I came to Anok was the Pyongyang naengmyeon (₩13,000). First impression: an incredibly clear, light broth. The moment you take a sip, a subtle meat aroma spreads without being heavy, and the seasoning isn't overdone, so it never got tiring to the last drop.
The buckwheat noodles had just the right springiness, sliding down smoothly. If you prefer mild, understated naengmyeon over the punchy, spicy kind, this style will satisfy you. Personally, I'd recommend tasting it plain first rather than adding a lot of vinegar or mustard right away.
The pork gomtang with a really great broth
Anok's pork gomtang (₩11,000) was an unexpected favorite too. The broth was rich yet clean, with almost none of that characteristic pork gaminess.
There was a generous amount of tender meat, making it filling as a full meal, and it went really well with rice. If the naengmyeon has a light, clean charm, the gomtang delivers a deep, warm satisfaction. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good gomtang restaurant in Hongdae, too.
The pork tail jjim I'd definitely recommend ordering
Anok's pork tail jjim (₩28,000) is quite a presence for something billed as a side dish. The chewy, collagen-rich texture stayed intact while the sauce wasn't overpowering, so I kept reaching for more.
The meat and skin were cooked to the point of separating easily, and paired with the side dishes it came with, the balance was good. It works well as a drinking snack or as a shared dish alongside a meal — a satisfying option either way.
Overall atmosphere and service
The whole restaurant had a calm, clean feel with its wood tones. The table layout made it easy for solo diners to eat comfortably, so it felt easy to visit even at lunchtime.
The staff were kind, and the food came out fairly quickly, so it seemed like a solid option for a weekday work lunch or a Hongdae date meal.♥️♥️
Final verdict
I visited Anok in Hongdae because I love Pyongyang naengmyeon, but the gomtang and pork tail jjim ended up being just as satisfying.
- Clean-tasting Pyongyang naengmyeon with a light meat aroma
- Pork gomtang with a deep, clean broth
- Pork tail jjim with an appealing chewy texture
- A clean space with good accessibility
If you're looking for a new Korean restaurant in Hongdae, Anok is a place I'd definitely visit again. I especially recommend it to anyone searching for a Pyongyang naengmyeon spot or a lunch spot in Hongdae.
