Short rib soup near Achasan Station Exit 2: Achasan Tong Galbitang

When the heat wears you down and your energy dips, sometimes cool food isn't enough — sometimes you need a hot bowl of broth with plenty of meat in it. This time I wanted a proper meal, so I headed to Achasan Tong Galbitang, a Gwangjin restaurant known for its galbitang (short rib soup).

It's a good spot for anyone looking for a hearty meal near Achasan, a meal before or after hiking, or a restorative dish to share with parents. We ordered the Energy-boosting Special Galbitang and the Meat-packed Arongsatae Galbitang to try.

Where is Achasan Tong Galbitang? A 10-minute walk from Achasan Station Exit 2

Achasan Tong Galbitang, a Gwangjin restaurant, is easy to reach from Achasan Station Exit 2. Once you're out of Exit 2, head toward Achasan (Mitasan) from the Samil Jangeo intersection and walk up for about 10 minutes.

As you walk up, you'll find the restaurant across from the Achasan public parking lot, so it's easy to spot even on a first visit. It's also a convenient stop for anyone looking for a meal before or after hiking Achasan.

Address: 306 Jayang-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea / Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00 / Break time: 15:30–17:00

Inside Achasan Tong Galbitang: seating, tablet ordering and the self-serve bar

Walking into Achasan Tong Galbitang, the overall vibe was bright and clean.

White walls paired with wood tables and chairs gave it that cozy, comfortable feel you'd expect from a galbitang restaurant.

The tables were arranged for groups of 2 to 4, and the dining room stretched back quite a way, so there was more seating than I expected.

Each table had a tablet for ordering, so you could browse the menu and order at your own pace without having to call a staff member over — a nice touch.

Spoons, cups, small plates, and other tableware were all neatly arranged right at the table too.

There was also a self-serve bar on one side. Kimchi, kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi), peppers, onions, and other side dishes that pair well with galbitang were available to take as much as you wanted — very convenient.

The menu at Achasan Tong Galbitang, from wang galbitang to beef galbi-jjim

True to its name, Achasan Tong Galbitang, a Gwangjin restaurant, centers its menu on wang galbitang (large-cut short rib soup) with several rib dishes to choose from.

There's the standard Original Wang Galbitang, a Spicy Wang Galbitang for those who like a fiery, punchy broth, the Special Galbitang with even more generous ribs, and the Meat-packed Arongsatae Galbitang, which adds chewy beef shank on top — plenty of options depending on your taste.

Beyond the soups, there's also Beef Galbi-jjim (braised short ribs), which looked like a good option for a group to share. It comes in spicy or soy flavor, so you can order to match your taste.

Overall, the menu ranges from mild galbitang to spicy broth to meat-heavy bowls, making it a good spot to visit with both kids and adults.

Energy-boosting Special Galbitang: big short ribs, cooked tender

On this visit I ordered the Energy-boosting Special Galbitang and the Meat-packed Arongsatae Galbitang.

The basic side dishes were all tasty — I especially liked the kkakdugi.

The Energy-boosting Special Galbitang. It arrived in a stone pot with big, hearty ribs inside — it looked generous just to see it.

Galbitang can be a hassle to eat if the meat is too tough, but here the meat pulled off the bone easily and was good to eat.

Taking a bite of rib meat and then a spoonful of the warm broth genuinely felt like eating a proper restorative meal.

It seemed like a dish that would suit both a hot day when the heat's worn you out and a cold day when you're craving something warm.

Meat-packed Arongsatae Galbitang: two textures in one bowl

The Meat-packed Arongsatae Galbitang. As the name suggests, this is a dish that will catch the eye of any meat lover.

With both short rib and arongsatae (beef shank) in the bowl, I liked being able to enjoy two different meat textures in one dish. The arongsatae was a bit different from regular rib meat — chewy yet tender.

Dipping the meat lightly into the broth made it even softer to eat, blending nicely with the warm broth.

Special Galbitang or Arongsatae Galbitang: which bowl should you order?

If you're torn between the two, it really comes down to preference.

• If you want to properly enjoy big, hearty ribs, go with the Energy-boosting Special Galbitang!
• If you want to enjoy both rib meat and arongsatae generously in one bowl, go with the Meat-packed Arongsatae Galbitang!

If you're looking for a place to eat near Achasan or craving a hot bowl of galbitang in Gwangjin, this is worth a visit. :)