Myeongdong Korean restaurant with pork gomtang: Baekok Myeongdong

Finding Baekok Myeongdong (백옥 명동) in a Myeongdong alley

If it’s your first time in Myeongdong, or you don’t come here often, you might be surprised and think, “There’s a restaurant here..??” (Because that was me, haha. I went in going, “Surely this is the alley?” haha.)

Thankfully, there was a standing sign farther into the alley, so I stopped doubting myself and found my way in~ The address is 1F and B1, 8-23 Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, and it’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There’s no separate break time, so I even came out after eating at 3 p.m.~

A graceful, spotless interior

The interior was really graceful and clean. There happened to be no other customers, so I could take photos comfortably. The tidy atmosphere felt relaxing.

There are four-person tables as well as group tables. I think families could all sit together here without any trouble~

Ordering pork gomtang and cabbage dumplings

There were three main kinds of gukbap (rice soup): pork gomtang, yak gomtang, and yeol gomtang. I got the standard signature pork gomtang for ₩11,000, along with four cabbage dumplings for ₩8,000~ (Honestly, I wanted the naengjeyuk, or chilled boiled pork, too... but I was alone, so I couldn’t order it, sob..)

There was salt and pepper on the table, and they gave me a dipping sauce and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi)~

The kkakdugi was cut into small pieces, which was convenient because I didn’t have to open my mouth wide and bite through it, haha. (When you go to a gukbap place, don’t you all either cut one big piece with scissors or bite it apart..?? I always tear it apart with my teeth, haha.)

Pork gomtang with a clear yet rich broth

My pork gomtang came out~ It had an incredibly clear broth, topped with scallions and large pieces of meat.

The broth was such a clear, rich gomtang broth. I loved how deep yet clean it tasted.

There was rice beneath the big pieces of meat, and there were four or five really, really large slices.

One piece was as big as my whole hand!! The lean and fatty parts were nicely balanced, and I liked that there was more lean meat~ haha. The meat was super tender, with a pleasantly springy chew in the mouth, too. (Dipping it in the red sauce definitely brought out more savory flavor.) Also, I prefer gomtang as-is rather than with pepper or salt, so I didn’t add either. Its natural flavor was delicious enough on its own~~

Juicy dumplings wrapped in cabbage leaves

The cabbage dumplings I ordered came out. Dumpling filling was tucked inside cabbage leaves. It was kimchi dumpling filling, and it was packed in sooo generously.

At first, I thought an actual whole dumpling had been wrapped in cabbage, but that wasn’t it—it was just the dumpling filling shaped into a bundle and wrapped in a cabbage leaf. (It was so fascinating that it stayed together, haha.)

When I took a bite, the whole cabbage leaf came right into my mouth and only the dumpling filling was left~ hahaha. There were all sorts of ingredients inside, including tofu, kimchi, and glass noodles. I think the tofu made the filling even juicier, hehe.

Both the cabbage leaves and the filling inside were so soft and juicy that I really recommend ordering the cabbage dumplings~ I was sooo full after just two.. haha.

After having the warm broth, I started craving something fizzy. So I ordered a Pepsi Zero, too. One sip and the meal ended sooo satisfyingly~!!

A Myeongdong gomtang spot that was easy to visit alone

When I’m craving clear yet rich gomtang, I think Baekok will come to mind. Baekok is a chain with several branches besides the Myeongdong location. Apparently, it’s already widely known in Myeongdong as a great gomtang restaurant. I ate here alone, but there were other solo diners as well as international visitors. And I really loved that there was no break time. The staff were kind, too, so I was able to enjoy my meal with peace of mind~

On the way out, there was mouthwash and toothpicks ready, which was nice for freshening up in the restroom after eating. Baekok Myeongdong has that kind of thoughtful touch, too—I think I’d visit again next time I’m in Myeongdong~