Pork gomtang lunch break at Dongtan Lotte food court: Baekok Dongtan

The broth is clear and deep? Honest review of my lunch at Baekok, Dongtan Lotte Department Store.

The perfect pick when you're shopping at Dongtan Lotte Department Store and craving something light and comforting, Korean-style!

If you need a quick solo lunch or want to fill up on a hearty soup dish, head straight down to the basement food court.

One bowl of clear, clean bone broth pork gomtang loaded with meat, and it feels like the whole day's fatigue melts away.

Baekok Dongtan store info

• Business name: Baekok Dongtan
• Address: Basement 1, Lotte Department Store Dongtan, Dongtan-daero 160, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi
• Hours: 10:30–20:00, until the department store closes

Location and parking at Dongtan Lotte Department Store

It's located in the basement food court of Dongtan Lotte Department Store, about 350m from Exit 2 of GTX-A Dongtan Station. Take the central escalator down to basement 1 and you'll spot the neatly arranged storefront right away.

You can use the department store's own parking lot, and just register it after your meal — no parking worries at all. There may be a short wait during peak weekend lunch hours, but since soup dishes like this turn tables fast, you won't be waiting long before you're seated.

Solo-dining-friendly interior and seating

Being a store in a department store basement food court, it's noticeably clean and well-maintained throughout.

There's a good setup of bar-table seating where solo diners can eat comfortably without feeling self-conscious, making it a great spot for solo dining. The lighting is bright and cozy, so overall you get to enjoy your meal in a clean, tidy, pleasant atmosphere.

Baekok's signature menu and the appeal of its deep flavor

The main menu items here are pork gomtang (₩12,000) and the pork gomtang set (₩17,000).

Order the set and you get a bowl of gomtang along with the restaurant's signature cabbage dumplings (2 pieces) and a soft drink, for a much more filling meal.

The pork gomtang reportedly uses domestic pork foreleg and bone broth simmered carefully for a long time. The broth is notably clear and transparent, with zero oiliness.

One spoonful and there's no gamey smell at all — just a nutty, deep flavor that spreads through your whole mouth.

It's served neatly in an upscale brass bowl, topped generously with chopped scallions, so it looks mouthwatering before you even take a bite.

Pepper it up — a tip you shouldn't forget

Here's the absolute must-not-forget tip for enjoying this dish: shake on plenty of the pepper sitting on the table and the flavor doubles. The sharp pepper aroma pairs perfectly with the mild broth, pulling up the savory depth of the soup even more.

Cabbage dumplings wrapped in cabbage leaves

The cabbage dumplings (baechu mandu) included in the set are also a really unique treat. Instead of a regular dumpling wrapper, they use an actual cabbage leaf to gently wrap the mild filling.

Every bite has a crisp yet soft texture with savory juices seeping out, and it pairs beautifully with the gomtang.

Overall verdict and would I go back

When you're tired of overly seasoned food, there's nothing better than a clean, mild bowl of soup to warm you up from the inside.

Highly recommend it when you want a hearty lunch before or after shopping at the department store. I keep thinking about that pure clear broth combined with pepper's savory kick, so I'm definitely going back soon!

Handy tips to know

If you're dining solo, the basic pork gomtang with pepper shaken on to your taste is already fully satisfying on its own.

If you're visiting with two or more people, or want to try the dumplings' unique texture, I'd recommend adding the pork gomtang set and sharing it.

Don't forget to register your parking when you pay after your meal!