Hongdae Korean restaurant for beef tail jjim: Anok

If you want Pyongyang naengmyeon in Hongdae, I think it would be nice to seek out somewhere a little different—a place where you can feel the charm of a hanok.

I had absolutely no idea a place like this existed, but right in busy, trendy central Hongdae, there was a quiet Korean restaurant with a serene hanok atmosphere—the kind of place you might expect to find only in Insadong or Jongno. With Pyongyang naengmyeon and gomtang on the menu, I thought it would be nice to come here with an international friend too.

Anok, a great Pyongyang naengmyeon spot in Hongdae, was memorable for its interior that fully embraces the hanok style and its calm mood. Once inside, the distinctive hanok atmosphere came through, and the space itself was so neat that it was perfect for stepping away from hectic Hongdae and enjoying an unhurried meal.

Anok’s recommended dishes and hanok atmosphere

Anok’s neatly presented Korean dishes suited the atmosphere of the space.

Pyongyang naengmyeon for a clean, mild meal

Above all, the most classic option—and the Pyongyang naengmyeon I enjoyed most in a while.

The broth was mild, clean, and completely free of harshness—so clean! Like the texture of the noodles, this is a naengmyeon that lets you quietly enjoy the ingredients themselves, so it may be a little polarizing. But that mild, understated flavor is exactly why you eat Pyongyang cold noodles.

Anok was especially generous with the meat, and it paired beautifully with the kimchi banchan (side dishes) set on the table, making it easy to enjoy with just the right amount of seasoning.

Isn’t that broth just so clear and gorgeous? Sitting by the window at a table for two somehow made it taste even better, haha.

Warm, savory clear gomtang

The clear gomtang I ordered alongside the cold noodles.

Having warm gomtang with cold Pyongyang naengmyeon actually felt soothing rather than hard on the stomach.

Since the broth was clear, I worried it might be too mild, but it was seasoned just right, so I enjoyed it immensely.

A few shakes of the pepper provided made the aroma bloom and somehow made it feel even more refined. The rice came already mixed into the soup, and it was so soft, as though it had been simmered for ages, that it was easy to digest too.

It was topped with plenty of sous-vide meat that was even more tender than the meat in the Pyongyang naengmyeon. If I came alone, or if two of us came and absolutely had to choose one dish, I think I would reorder this clear gomtang without hesitation.

The standout beef tail jjim

The color alone was utterly appetizing… Why was that red seasoning sauce so delicious…

For reference, I spread this sauce over both the gukbap (rice soup) and the cold noodles too.

It was so tender and moist that the meat truly melted away in my mouth. I was going to have dumplings instead, then decided to splurge and order this—oh wow.

The pleasantly chewy, collagen-rich texture, nuttiness, and tenderness that melted in the mouth met a sweet-spicy sauce and kept drawing me back. I do not drink, but this is a dish that would be 100% satisfying as an accompaniment to drinks too, haha.

My dining partner kept putting chunks of collagen on my plate, saying this dish was good for my skin. As I slurped and chewed, the soft texture filled my mouth with a lovely nuttiness, and more juices came out the more I chewed. It was much softer and more tender than jokbal (braised pig’s trotters), if that makes sense?!

There was not even a trace of a porky smell, and it was absolutely delicious. I nearly ordered an extra bowl of rice to mix into that sauce…

Hanok interior in Hongdae

With the hanok’s distinctive wood and even an outdoor wall, it was a very comfortable place to eat.

It was great for conversation, and I completely recommend it when you need a calm place for a meal in Hongdae!!

Hongdae naturally brings to mind busy places with a youthful, lively atmosphere, so I thought it would be useful in many ways to know about somewhere like this.

It would be worth keeping an eye on not only for international friends but also for a visit with older family members, since both the food and the space are lovely.

Anok Hongdae branch: final thoughts

If you are looking for Pyongyang naengmyeon in Hongdae and care about the atmosphere of the space as much as the food, Anok is well worth visiting at least once.

From mild dishes to the slightly bold but deeply delicious, savory beef tail jjim, it was a memorable restaurant for anyone wanting a space different from an ordinary naengmyeon place :)