Hongdae Seoul restaurant with broth-soaked rice gomtang: Anok
In short
Anok is a hanok restaurant in Hongdae, Seoul, specialising in Pyongyang naengmyeon and clear pork gomtang, an 8-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9 toward Hongdae's main gate. The writer ordered water-style Pyongyang naengmyeon (₩14,000), clear gomtang (₩13,000) and braised pork tail (₩29,000), refilled the gungchae jangajji (pickled dried radish greens) side, and liked the tteoryeom rice ladled with hot broth in the gomtang and the chewy pork tail, though the meat in the cold naengmyeon broth was dry. For an atmospheric Korean restaurant in Hongdae, Anok is the answer.
Good to know
- Location
- 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (8-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9)
- Hours
- Daily 11:00–22:00 (closed Mondays)
- Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold broth)
- ₩14,000
- Pyongyang naengmyeon (mixed)
- ₩15,000
- Clear gomtang
- ₩13,000 / large ₩17,000
- Braised pork tail
- ₩29,000
- Chilled boiled pork (naeng jeyuk)
- Full plate ₩24,000 / half plate ₩13,000
- Seating
- Tables for four and for two, spaced generously apart
- Ordering
- Kiosk
- Included side dishes
- Radish kimchi, cabbage kimchi, gungchae jangajji (pickled dried radish greens), seasoning sauce
- Price reference
- ₩14,000 ≈ $10 · ₩13,000 ≈ $9.4 · ₩29,000 ≈ $21 (2026-09-21)
as written by the visitor on Sep 20, 2026
Where is Anok? A hanok in the middle of Hongdae
Anok is a Pyongyang naengmyeon and clear gomtang restaurant at 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, an 8-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9. If you head up toward Hongdae's main gate, you'll find it.
When you think of Hongdae streets, a lively atmosphere comes to mind first, right? Hongdae has a bit of a different vibe from nearby Yeonnam-dong, too. I heard there was a Pyongyang naengmyeon spot right in the middle of it all with a serene hanok interior, so I went to check it out. Here's my review of this Hongdae gomtang restaurant, where the naengmyeon and clear gomtang made from carefully brewed broth left a strong impression.
Honestly, it's been a while since I've been near Hongdae's main gate. I think people will be surprised there's a place like this in Hongdae. It's an old-house-style tiled-roof building with its gate wide open.
Each lantern is a highlight. Given how many foreign visitors Hongdae has, I think it's a strength that you can feel the charm of a hanok — and get a good photo spot — right in the middle of the city.
Inside Anok: atmosphere and seating
Inside Anok there are several dark wood-toned tables, with both 4-seat and 2-seat tables. The spacing between seats was generous, which made it feel comfortable, and the lighting really stood out — the soft, dim lighting gave it a lovely atmosphere.
The interior feels like it would suit a somewhat formal gathering too. It'd work well both for hanging out with friends and for a more formal Korean-food meetup.
Anok's menu and prices, ordered at the kiosk
Ordering at Anok is done via kiosk. Anok says it adds a subtle depth using carefully selected ingredients like astragalus root and burdock, leaving behind only the clear, pure essence of Korean pork to make the broth gentle on the stomach.
True to a Hongdae Pyongyang naengmyeon spot, the meals include
- Pyeongyang naengmyeon (water) ₩14,000
- Pyeongyang naengmyeon (mixed) ₩15,000
- Clear gomtang ₩13,000
- Clear gomtang (large) ₩17,000
- Braised pork tail ₩29,000
- Cold pork jeyuk (full) ₩24,000
- Cold pork jeyuk (half) ₩13,000
and more.
Pyeongyang naengmyeon (water) 14.0 / clear gomtang 13.0 / braised pork tail 29.0
We ordered one water-style naengmyeon, one clear gomtang, and one braised pork tail.
Free side dishes at Anok, and refills of gungchae jangajji
This Hongdae gomtang restaurant serves radish kimchi, cabbage kimchi, gungchae jangajji (pickled dried radish greens), and seasoning sauce as standard sides. The gungchae jangajji was so easy to keep picking at that we refilled it.
How is Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold broth) at ₩14,000?
Anok's water-style pyeongyang naengmyeon is ₩14,000. It's a mild, cold noodle dish made from a broth brewed in-house with astragalus root, burdock, and other medicinal ingredients, served chilled — mellow, clean, and free of any off flavors, which was excellent.
The noodles weren't overcooked either, which I liked.
But because the broth is so cold, the meat actually felt a bit too dry to me, sadly.
Clear gomtang ₩13,000: rice ladled with hot broth, or served on the side
Anok's clear gomtang is ₩13,000 and comes with the same meat as the naengmyeon. The rice is served tteoryeom-style (warmed by pouring hot broth over it repeatedly), and the broth temperature was just right, making it nice to enjoy warm.
At the table next to us, someone asked for the rice and broth to be served separately, and they did bring it separately when requested.
But lately I prefer it served together, like a gukbap (rice-and-soup dish).
Braised pork tail ₩29,000: addictively chewy
Anok's braised pork tail is ₩29,000 — pork tail simmered until tender and seasoned. The chewy texture was excellent, and the spicy flavor with no off odor was addictive!
I learned pork tail actually has a lot of meat on it. I picked at the meat until I was stuffed. Pig — there's really no part you can't eat! I usually don't like collagen-heavy textures like mini jokbal, but I kept going back for more, haha. Lots of meat, and it's super soft and tender.
Is Anok worth it? Final verdict
This Hongdae gomtang restaurant, Anok, is a Pyongyang naengmyeon specialist where you can enjoy a serene hanok atmosphere. The combination of the mild, clean naengmyeon and clear gomtang with the braised pork tail was quite good. If you're looking for an atmospheric Korean restaurant in Hongdae, I'd recommend it.
