Hongdae Korean restaurant with fatty pork tail jjim by a window: Anok

Where is Anok in Hongdae, and when is it open?

• Address: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00 – 22:00
• Last order: 21:00
• Closed: Every Monday
• Parking: No dedicated parking
• Location: About 7 minutes on foot from Hongik University Station Exit 9

Today I went with a friend to Anok in Hongdae, hoping to try deep, refined pork gomtang (bone broth soup) and Pyeongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) in a hanok setting. I was looking for somewhere to eat in Hongdae and found this — a hanok restaurant tucked in behind the busy streets, which felt surprising. Luckily there was no wait when we arrived.

Walk a little from Hongik University Station into the alley and Anok's hanok building comes right into view. There's no dedicated parking, so public transit is more convenient than driving. Hongdae is usually loud and packed with people, but stepping into this alley it was quiet and empty — really nice.

Window seats with a hanok view and how the tables are set up

From the window seats at Anok, you can see the hanok courtyard directly. We sat by the window, and the hanok view outside seemed to calm the mind. The atmosphere alone was already great.

The interior was clean too, with a variety of seats from tables for two up to four. It looked like tables could be joined together for larger groups.

Anok's menu and what we ordered

Anok's menu includes clear pork gomtang and Pyeongyang naengmyeon, along with pork tail jjim (braised pork tail), cold jepyuk (boiled pork), and various pan-fried dishes among other Korean options. Since we came with a friend, we decided to split several dishes.

• Pyeongyang naengmyeon ₩14,000
• Clear gomtang ₩13,000
• Pork tail jjim ₩29,000

Pork tail jjim, 29,000 won: greasy if you dislike fat

The pork tail jjim came out first. Since it's seasoned with a gochujang (red chili paste) base, it felt quite different from the clear gomtang or the naengmyeon. The pork tail had that distinctive chewy texture, and since it's eaten with the sauce, it seemed like a good dish to share among a group. But it was my first time trying this dish, and maybe because I don't usually like fat, it was a bit greasy for my taste. It would probably go well with drinks though!

Clear gomtang, 13,000 won: a lighter broth than usual gomtang

The clear gomtang lived up to its name, with a broth that was very light — a clean style unlike the typical rich, thick gomtang. Overall the flavor wasn't strong or pungent, so it should be easy to enjoy for anyone who likes plain broth. It had a slight bit of oiliness that made it a little rich too, which some people will love. It went well with rice, and the meat in the gomtang was tender and delicious.

Pyeongyang naengmyeon, 14,000 won: mild and plain

Last was the Pyeongyang naengmyeon. Anok's version leaned more toward bland and plain rather than bold flavors. If you enjoy the characteristically mild taste of Pyeongyang naengmyeon, this style should suit you. We ordered it alongside the gomtang, alternating between the warm broth and the cold noodles.

Who should eat at Anok in Hongdae?

The hanok courtyard and building had such a calm atmosphere, a real contrast to the busy streets of Hongdae. It was also nice for chatting slowly over a meal with a friend while ordering several dishes.

If you're looking for a good gomtang spot in Hongdae, or a Korean restaurant where you can get both naengmyeon and gomtang together, this is worth a visit at least once. It was great being able to try several dishes together — naengmyeon, clear gomtang, and pork tail jjim. Above all, finding a hanok restaurant tucked into a Hongdae alley made the space itself memorable. If you're after a slightly different atmosphere for Korean food in Hongdae, Anok is worth checking out.