Hongdae Korean restaurant for gomtang lunch: Doonjeong Hongdae

I went to Doonjeong Hongdae Direct Branch (도온정 홍대직영점) in Seoul to have lunch with my son. I had heard its gopchang jeongol (tripe hot pot) was well known and considered visiting for dinner, but we ate during the day to fit my son's schedule.

What was the clear gomtang like?

The clear gomtang was ₩12,000 per bowl. It contained beef shank, and the broth was clear and clean without any off smell. Both my son and I especially liked the gomtang broth during this meal.

My son said it was delicious and that he would come back with his girlfriend. I did not have much of an appetite that day, but the broth's clean taste stayed with me.

The dressed beef we ordered was a half portion, but it still felt generous. The fresh taste of minari (water parsley) made it a good accompaniment to the gomtang.

How close is it to Hongik University Station, and what was it like inside?

The address is 1F, 183-12 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, and it is about 200 m from Hongik University Station Exit 1. The hours listed in the original post were 11:00–21:00, with a break time of 15:00–17:00, and parking was listed as being in front of the restaurant.

Once I walked inward from Exit 1, the area felt relatively quiet. At the restaurant, I also saw a notice that it had been selected by the Blue Ribbon Survey for two consecutive years.

Inside, the atmosphere was comfortable, and the staff greeted us warmly. From the open kitchen, I could see food being plated.

What were the lunch menu and prices like?

That day, we ordered clear gomtang, my son's favorite yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef mixed rice), and a half portion of dressed beef. The menu prices listed in the original post are as follows.

• Clear gomtang: ₩12,000
• Yukhoe bibimbap: ₩15,000
• Half portion of dressed beef: ₩11,000
• Yukjeon (pan-fried beef): ₩17,000
• Spicy Korean beef gomtang: ₩15,000
• Korean beef tripe hot pot: ₩54,000

Kimchi and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) came as side dishes. The kkakdugi was not overly fermented, which suited my taste.

I was satisfied with the gomtang as a ₩12,000 bowl for lunch. We also ate yukhoe bibimbap, but the clear gomtang broth was what impressed me most.

How was the dressed beef with gomtang?

The dressed beef was beef shank tossed with vegetables including minari and onion. The seasoning was not strong and suited my taste.

It was also comfortable to eat while talking with my son. It was nice to have lunch together before shopping and walking around Hongdae.

Looking at the menu, I thought it would also be nice to come for a drink at dinner. The Korean beef tripe hot pot was ₩54,000 and seemed less burdensome than elsewhere, but I did not try it that day.

I added a half portion of dressed beef because I thought gomtang alone might feel a little lacking, and the two dishes went well together.

With the dressed beef alongside the clear broth, I felt full while still feeling light. It is the combination I would choose again from that meal.

How was lunch with family during a Hongdae outing?

The lunch was more memorable because I had it while chatting with my son during my visit to Seoul. We went to a café afterward, and in the evening I returned to Hongdae with my daughter to shop and watch a performance.

At the time of my visit, the Exit 1 side where the restaurant is located felt quieter than the Exit 9 side. Next time, I would like to come for dinner and try the tripe hot pot that I did not have this time.