Myeongdong Korean restaurant with solo bar seats: Baekok Myeongdong

A great gomtang spot I found while visiting Myeongdong for the first time in ages to browse the downtown duty-free shops before flying out for our honeymoon!

Baekok Myeongdong in a Myeongdong alley

As you walk farther into Myeongdong, you will find Baekok Myeongdong (백옥 명동) tucked away in a hidden alley that still holds onto an old-fashioned Korean feel ✨ At first I wondered, “Is this really the place..?” Personally, I was so happy that an alley with this kind of atmosphere still exists, haha.

Since Myeongdong draws so many international visitors, the classic atmosphere brings in lots of overseas guests too~ And I would definitely recommend it as a date spot for locals as well!

From solo meals to dining with a group

Once inside, the neatness you felt outside carries right on through! The no-fuss wood-toned interior and soft lighting create a cozy, comfortable mood. There is a comfortable amount of space between tables in every direction, so you can enjoy your meal easily.

There are bar seats that make solo dining easy these days, along with tables for groups, all arranged in a balanced way—so I recommend it for a solo Myeongdong lunch!

Our QR-ordered meal for two

The menu is neat and straightforward, just as you would expect from a specialist restaurant! Alongside its signature pork gomtang (clear pork soup), there are cabbage dumplings as a special side dish that pairs nicely with it~ Ordering through the QR code at the table was so convenient. After some deliberation, this is what we ordered!

• Pork gomtang (medium)
• Cabbage dumplings
• Review-event drink

Once you finish ordering, bottled water and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) are set out as the basics. Kkakdugi is all you need with gomtang~ Personally, I liked that the cubes were small enough to pop into my mouth in one bite, haha.

You get one free drink when you write a Naver receipt review or a Google review, so I definitely recommend taking advantage of it!! (You can choose the drink.)

Cabbage dumplings with a uniquely crisp bite

Four cabbage dumplings

Four cabbage dumplings / ₩8,000. Since almost everyone seemed to order this special side, I decided to try it too! You can wait and eat them with the gomtang, or have them first as a little warm-up.

The cabbage dumplings arrived moist and steaming, packed with kimchi dumpling filling visible through the translucent cabbage leaves, and I was so curious to try them?!

Take a bite and you first get the crisp texture of the cabbage leaves, followed by the juicy, tender filling. It is not overpowering, yet has such a full, uniquely delicious flavor 😍

Clear, deeply savory pork gomtang

Pork gomtang (medium)

Pork gomtang (medium) / ₩11,000. Next came Baekok Myeongdong’s secret weapon! The pork gomtang with its strikingly clear broth~ Since it was our first meal of the day, we had very high expectations. Thinly sliced meat was neatly piled over the bowl, making it look impeccably clean from the start, and the rice came already in the soup, ready to eat.

The moment you take a spoonful of broth, there is absolutely none of the off smell sometimes associated with pork—just an exceptional deep, savory umami! The meat is lean and clean-tasting, but still has a rich flavor that clings to your palate. Have it with the kkakdugi served alongside, and you can enjoy it cleanly to the very last bite without getting tired of it :0

On the way out, there is mouthwash, candy, and dental floss waiting for you—a thoughtful finishing touch that lets you freshen up neatly after your meal~

When you want a tidy Korean meal in Myeongdong

Want a clean, carefully prepared Korean meal in Myeongdong rather than something intensely seasoned? If you would like to experience a little of old Korea still, I recommend trying the combination of clear, tidy pork gomtang and crisp cabbage dumplings!

Personally, the cabbage dumplings and gomtang alone give me more than enough reason to come back. Hours are daily from 11:00 to 22:00.