Hongdae Korean restaurant with chair seating and two kimchi sides

I was looking for something clean and comforting to eat near Hongik University Station when I found Anok, a Korean restaurant. Hongdae has plenty of exciting food options, but that day I wanted something calmer than a punchy, spicy meal. Anok is known as a spot for Pyongyang naengmyeon (buckwheat cold noodles) in Hongdae, and I'd been missing out on it all summer, so I stopped by.

Where is Anok and when is it open?

Anok sits at 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, a 7-minute walk (365m) from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station. Coming from the crowded exit, a few steps up a small alley led to a hanok (traditional Korean house) I wasn't expecting.

• Address: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Exit 9, Hongik University Station, Line 2/Gyeongui-Jungang/AREX, 7-minute walk, 365m / from Exit 9, head south along Hongik-ro toward Hongik University)
• No free parking: drivers should use a nearby public parking lot
• Hours: 11:00–22:00, last order 21:00, closed every Monday
• Outside alcohol allowed, corkage ₩30,000 per bottle
• Takeout and delivery available
• No pets allowed

What's on the menu at Anok

There's a menu board outside the entrance, so I checked it before going in. The meal menu covers pork gomtang, Pyongyang naengmyeon, and yukhoe bibimbap, and as a spot known for Pyongyang naengmyeon in Hongdae, the noodles come in mul (broth) or bibim (mixed) style. The rest of the menu ranges widely across meat dishes, hot pots, and pan-fried items, with shareable options like the donbok platter, pork tail jjim, naengjeyuk, yukhoe, kimchi jeon, cheese potato jeon, and deodeok gui (grilled bellflower root).

Chair seating and group tables for up to 12

Anok's seating is standing-height, so it was comfortable to sit and eat. The interior is clean and relaxed, making it a good pick for a quiet meal in Hongdae, a family outing, a meeting between families, or a small gathering. Group tables seat up to 12, and larger groups can call ahead to ask.

After ordering by tablet at the table, the basic side dishes arrived: two kinds of refreshing kimchi.

The dishes I ordered at Anok were Pyongyang mul naengmyeon, pork gomtang, and pork tail jjim — three very different dishes, so laying them all out on one table made for a fun mix of flavors to try.

How was the steamed pork tail at Anok?

Anok's pork tail jjim was the dish I was most curious about that day. It's not something you come across easily at regular restaurants, so curiosity got the better of me — and the chewy texture, unlike regular lean meat, turned out to be its charm.

I expected something like jokbal (braised pig's feet), but the outside was springier and chewier while the fat was softer, almost melting away without needing to chew. The lean meat and fat were well mixed, making it a dish pork lovers would enjoy. The spicy seasoning paired well with the plain flavors of the naengmyeon and gomtang. If you're visiting with a group, it's a good side dish to share.

What does Anok's pork gomtang broth taste like?

Anok's gomtang and Pyongyang naengmyeon are both made with house-simmered broth. The pork gomtang was filling as a full meal, with warm broth and generous amounts of pork.

I worried a pork-based gomtang might taste heavy, but the broth was cleaner than expected, and eating it with rice felt warming and satisfying.

Is Anok's Pyongyang mul naengmyeon easy for first-timers?

The dish I reached for first at Anok was the Pyongyang mul naengmyeon. Some people worry Pyongyang naengmyeon will taste bland at first, but the broth here was seasoned enough to make it approachable even for first-timers.

The broth was clean without falling flat, and eating it with the noodles brought out a natural, plain savoriness. The buckwheat aroma in the noodles came through clearly, growing more noticeable the more I ate. With so many intensely seasoned foods around these days, this kind of comforting flavor might feel unfamiliar at first — but it's exactly the charm of Pyongyang naengmyeon that keeps pulling you back.

Is Anok in Hongdae worth a visit?

Anok is a Korean restaurant in Hongdae where you can comfortably enjoy the natural flavors and textures of its ingredients. The Pyongyang naengmyeon in particular grew on me the more I ate it, making it one to save as a go-to naengmyeon spot in Hongdae. Beyond the noodles, it's a Hongdae restaurant worth visiting for its range of other dishes too.