Hongdae restaurant with 100% buckwheat naengmyeon in a hanok: Anok

If you're looking for a slightly different Korean menu in Hongdae, I'd recommend Anok. Hongdae has plenty of restaurants, but Anok stood out for its hanok-style exterior and refined Korean dishes — the whole place had a distinctly Korean atmosphere.

This time I visited Anok, known as a Pyongyang naengmyeon spot in Hongdae, and tried the pork tail jjim, naengmyeon, and clear gomtang together. Between familiar dishes like naengmyeon and gomtang and the harder-to-find pork tail jjim, there was a wide range to choose from. It's a satisfying but not heavy meal, so it also works well if you're looking for a Hongdae lunch spot 👍

Where is Anok and how do you find it in Hongdae?

Anok is located at 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, down an alley near Hongik University Station. It's open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 with last order at 21:00. There's no parking, but private bookings are possible.

Anok is tucked inside an alley, but the hanok exterior made it easier to find than expected. Unlike the modern storefronts common on Hongdae's streets, the tiled hanok roof stood out and was easy to spot from a distance.

Looking at the menu board by the door, there was a wide range of Korean dishes — rice meals, hot pots, meat dishes, pancakes, and grilled items.

The tiled roof and traditional atmosphere blended together naturally, giving me a different kind of feeling even before the meal started. It also seems like a great place to bring a foreign friend to introduce them to Korean charm 🐥

Inside Anok: hanok atmosphere and seating

Walking inside Anok, it felt even more Korean and quietly atmospheric.

The atmosphere felt like something anyone would like without exception — there's a comfort and familiarity that comes from a hanok setting ☺️ The interior carried the traditional feel of the exterior forward, and the seating was generously spaced and roomy.

The gaps between tables gave plenty of room to eat comfortably, and it seemed like a good fit for meals with friends, family outings, or office lunches. If you're looking for a quiet, satisfying Korean meal in Hongdae, this seems like a place worth remembering 👍

The kiosk's first screen made it clear why Anok's broth runs so deep 🐥

What does Anok's pork tail jjim taste like?

The first dish I want to introduce from Anok is the pork tail jjim (steamed pork tail). It's not something I eat often, so I ordered it out of curiosity — and the distinctively chewy texture of pork tail was the highlight.

The dish finally arrived, and just looking at it, it was really generous.

It had a chewy texture that was different from the soft, falling-apart meat you'd normally expect, and a subtle nutty flavor rose up the more I chewed. It wasn't overly tough or heavy — the texture had just the right amount of springiness, which made it fun to chew.

The seasoning also didn't overpower the meat's natural flavor, instead adding a subtle savoriness. Rather than hitting you with a strong flavor right away, it was the kind of dish that revealed more flavor the more slowly you chewed. It went well with rice, but it was also a great match as a drinking snack!

If you've never tried pork tail jjim before, Anok seems like a good place to give it a first try! The chewy texture, different from familiar steamed dishes, made it a memorable menu item 👍

Anok's 100% buckwheat Pyongyang naengmyeon

I also ordered one of Anok's signature dishes — the Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles). This is probably the dish anyone searching for a Pyongyang naengmyeon spot in Hongdae would be most curious about!

Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon had a mild, clean broth rather than a strong or intense flavor, which was its main appeal.

You eat the meat with the seasoning sauce provided. The first taste is clean and light, but the more slowly you eat, the more the broth's subtle depth comes through. The seasoning isn't heavy, so it's easy on the palate, and it felt like a nice palate-cleanser alongside meat dishes 👍

The noodles are made with 100% buckwheat, so there was a subtle, nutty buckwheat aroma. Compared to regular noodles, they had a lighter, cleaner texture that was easy to eat comfortably 🤍 If you like the distinct aroma of buckwheat noodles, you'll likely find this easy on the stomach and satisfying.

What I liked most was the generous meat topping. It didn't feel like just noodles — you could enjoy the meat, broth, and buckwheat noodles all together, making it a filling bowl on its own. If you like the clean, light character of Pyongyang naengmyeon, or you're looking for a non-spicy Hongdae lunch option, this should suit you well 👍

Anok's clear gomtang, served with the rice already stirred in

Anok's gomtang (beef bone soup) stood out for its clear, clean broth. Rather than a thick, heavy style, it had a light yet deep flavor that made it easy to eat without feeling weighed down.

I especially liked that the gomtang came with a generous amount of meat on top. The rice wasn't served separately but came already mixed into the broth, so it could be eaten warm right away. With the broth, rice, and meat all coming together, it felt warming and filling from the inside out 🤍

The gomtang also went well with the kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and kimchi side dishes. Turns out Anok is also great for its kimchi. Pairing the clear, light broth with crunchy kkakdugi or tangy kimchi created a nice contrast in flavor and filled in any spots that might otherwise feel plain. This dish would be especially good on a chilly day or when you're craving something gentle on the stomach 👍 I immediately thought this would make great hangover food 🐥

Is Anok worth a visit? Overall thoughts

Anok was a Hongdae Korean restaurant with a Korean look thanks to its hanok tiled roof, roomy seating, and a refined Korean menu. The chewy pork tail jjim was a fun, unusual delicacy, and the Pyongyang naengmyeon made with 100% buckwheat noodles balanced its mild broth well with a generous meat topping. The clear gomtang, with rice already mixed in, was extra filling, and with kkakdugi and kimchi on the side, it made for a fully satisfying meal.

I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a Pyongyang naengmyeon spot in Hongdae, anyone wanting to experience Korean food in a hanok setting, or anyone searching for a warm, filling lunch in Hongdae 🤍