Sinnonhyeon beef soup: tired-day minari bowl & dumplings, Geumnyeong

What is Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch?

Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch (금녕곰탕 역삼점) is a gomtang (beef soup) restaurant that opened in Yeoksam-dong, carrying on the success of the Wangsimni main branch. Its slogan reads: "The only 1++ top-grade Hanwoo in the industry and fragrant minari make the essence of broth, a healing bowl that warms you from within."

With the weather turning a little chilly, my body and mind were tired, and I craved a bowl of warm, rich broth to soothe my stomach. So today I headed to Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch!

It's just a 2-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station, so access is great. I'd strongly recommend it both as a comfortable solo-meal spot in Gangnam and as a neat Korean restaurant in Sinnonhyeon.

What is the Geumnyeong broth made with?

They say they select only 1++ Hanwoo and base the broth on a restorative (Jayang-style) stock simmered for hours daily with herbal ingredients. The pride in ingredients and cooking method really shows.

Using only 1++ Hanwoo, the only one in the industry to do so, is what Geumnyeong promotes.

The gomtang here comes in the traditional tory style (rice repeatedly rinsed with hot broth), so the broth soaks between the grains and you get deep flavor from the very first spoonful. The interior is also very clean and pleasant, fine for lunch, an evening drink with food, or a hangover-soothing stop.

How were the minari gomtang and meat dumplings?

This day I ordered the signature minari gomtang and 3 meat dumplings (gogi mandu) to go with it!

Minari gomtang

The earthenware bowl was piled with fresh, fragrant green minari (water dropwort), which won me over from the looks alone.

The rich, nutty broth from 1++ Hanwoo gets the clean fragrance of minari, so it slid down smoothly with no gamey taste or greasiness.

Put the tory-style rice and tender lean beef on a spoon together and you can't stop. It's addictive.

Meat dumplings (3 pieces)

The dumplings have thin, chewy wrappers packed full with a meat-and-vegetable filling, and every bite burst with clean-tasting juices.

They balanced perfectly with the hot, rich minari gomtang broth, T_T. Great as a side.

What else is on the menu besides gomtang?

Besides gomtang, there are varied, neat meals like gomtang rice noodles, with tender noodles that don't go soggy and plenty of meat topping. I think it would also appeal to office workers looking for a rice noodle lunch in Gangnam.

Verdict: a hearty Korean meal in Sinnonhyeon

Deep 1++ Hanwoo broth said to be simmered with the same standard and care every day, the fragrance of minari, and a comfortable, hygienic space: Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch was perfect!

If you want proper Korean food near Sinnonhyeon or Gangnam Station, or a hearty meal that clears your chest, I strongly recommend visiting Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch!