Hongdae gomtang restaurant for collagen-rich pork tail jjim: Anok

I went to Anok, a Hongdae gomtang restaurant near Hongik University Station with a unique hanok interior, haha. Let's start the review ~ 💜

Anok from the outside, and the hanok interior

Exterior and interior look

The exterior is clean and the tiled-roof house interior is so nice!! It feels like traveling to Gyeongju or Jeonju haha. Very satisfying as a mini getaway ~

The lighting is pretty too, and there's wood, which I love, so it feels warm. Like it'd be nice for a walk?? I love the relaxed vibe that comes from a spacious room 👍🏻

The space is wide and comfortable ~ the cozy, warm, friendly vibe that a hanok gives off really catches your eye haha

What side dishes come with a meal at Anok?

Anok's side dishes are gungchae, cabbage kimchi, seokbakji, and ssamjang haha. The kimchi was fermented just right, the kind of taste that gets your appetite going haha

Pork tail jjim at Anok: not spicy, chewy and full of collagen

The pork tail jjim is pork tail, chewy and full of texture, braised until tender. I worried it might be spicy, but it's made with delicious, non-spicy seasoning. Topped with sesame seeds and sliced scallions, the visual is just wow!!

Honestly, pork tail isn't an ingredient you run into every day~ so when I first saw the name on the menu, my biggest thought was 'what will this taste like?' But once the dish arrived, it looked way more appetizing than I expected.

I picked up a piece and tried it — the texture is what stuck with me. Unlike lean meat cuts, the tail has that distinctive chewy-yet-soft texture that's fun to bite into!! With all that chewy pork skin collagen, I find myself imagining how my skin will look tomorrow lol. There's meat inside too, so you get to enjoy both the skin and the flesh ~

Gomtang and Pyongyang naengmyeon are mild, so you might crave something bolder, but this pairs perfectly with them haha. They also sell jeon (savory pancakes), which now has me curious about the taste ~

How Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon tastes at the end of summer

Pyongyang naengmyeon makes its entrance!! It's been a while since I had Pyongyang naengmyeon ~ mild, plain, and not overpowering at all haha. Loaded with a lot of meat too ~ the broth is made in-house, mild and light, great for this style of naengmyeon. As someone who loves cold noodles, I'm so satisfied eating this before summer ends!! The noodles have a nice chewy bite, delicious with the meat ~

Gomtang guk-bap: the clear broth that settles your stomach

Anok's gomtang guk-bap is mild yet rich, with the deep aroma and flavor of the broth coming through gently ~ it's the Pyongyang naengmyeon of the gomtang world!! Simmered in-house for a clear, deep broth. A dish made with real care!! I think even young kids would enjoy this ~

Not overpowering at all, so it's easy on the stomach!! After eating a lot of spicy, strong food, this really felt like it reset my system. Put some kimchi and seokbakji on top of the gomtang and take a bite — that's the taste, you know?? Chives and pepper are sprinkled on top, adding a little kick to the mildness!!

Why Anok's hanok space feels like a pause in Hongdae

Just from the name, it felt cozy and hanok-like, so I was quietly looking forward to it even before going in. These days there are so many pretty restaurants that just having nice interior isn't always memorable — but Anok stuck with me.

There's a distinct hanok atmosphere you feel even from outside, and once you step in, the wood and the traditional space give off a whole different feeling 💗 I felt like I'd briefly traveled somewhere else. It's the kind of place that gives you a moment to rest in the middle of a busy, chaotic day, even if you just came for a meal.

Today's menu was pork tail jjim, Pyongyang naengmyeon, and gomtang guk-bap! The combination was a little unusual from the start, so it was fun trying a bit of everything ~

Successfully ordered all three menu items with confidence!! The two of us had a healthy, filling meal ~ then off to a café for dessert!! If you're looking for a Korean restaurant with a hanok vibe near Hongik University Station, why not try Anok??

Anok location, hours and parking

• Address: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 11:00–22:00
• Break time: None / Closed on Mondays
• Parking: Not available