Gangseo Korean restaurant for Naju gomtang: Naju Gomtang Seook

Naju gomtang near Gayang Station for a chilly day

After Baengno passed, the sweltering weather finally eased up and cool winds began to blow. Temperatures have dropped enough for mornings and evenings to feel quite chilly, bringing proper autumn weather. The sky is higher and bluer, the sunlight is warm, but the breeze has already crossed autumn’s threshold. With the wider temperature swings, it is time to bring a light outer layer and take especially good care of your health. I had been editing YouTube all morning, and around 1 p.m., just as lunchtime was ending, what could possibly sound more necessary in this weather than Naju gomtang (clear beef soup)?},{

Following the chilly autumn breeze to Naju Gomtang Seook

After focusing on motion and cut editing in front of my monitor all morning, the clock was already pointing to 1 p.m. Between my hungry stomach and the chillier weather, I was desperately craving a rich bowl of broth to warm my whole body. My feet naturally led me to Naju Gomtang Seook (나주곰탕서옥), near Gayang Station. Its calm black awning and clean floor-to-ceiling windows give the exterior a neat feel.

Parking is available in the building, making it convenient to visit by car, and it is not far from Exit 1 of Gayang Station, so it is very accessible.

A dining room with wood tones and sofa seating

The warm wood-toned interior was impressive from the moment I opened the door. High ceilings, neatly arranged wooden tables, and plush sofa seating running along one wall create a comfortable, pleasant place to eat.

I arrived around 1 p.m., just after the lunch rush, so I could enjoy a carefully prepared meal in a more relaxed, calm atmosphere.

Small suyuk and neatly prepared side dishes

Once seated, I ordered two servings of the signature Naju gomtang along with a small suyuk (boiled sliced beef, ₩25,000) to share.

The basic side dishes that arrived first were kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), napa cabbage kimchi, fresh cucumber chili peppers, carrots, and ssamjang dipping paste—the pride of any gukbap restaurant.

The kimchi came in earthenware containers and looked wonderfully appetizing with its glossy sheen. Perfectly fermented, crisp, and refreshing, it made me look forward to pairing it with the gomtang.

Soon, the small suyuk arrived with a gentle plume of steam, a spread that made me smile just looking at it. A generous bed of fresh green buchu (garlic chives) covered the plate, topped neatly with moist, tender boiled beef and chewy seugi (beef tendon).

I picked up a sesame-sprinkled slice of suyuk with fragrant buchu and dipped it lightly into the house wasabi soy sauce. The lean beef melted softly in my mouth without even a hint of odor, while the springy tendon and the sharp bite of buchu came together for deep flavor.

Clear, deeply flavored torim Naju gomtang

As I was enjoying the suyuk, the day’s main dish, Naju gomtang (₩12,000), arrived steaming in an earthenware bowl. Naju Gomtang Seook’s gomtang is known for its clear, transparent broth. The bowl was generously topped with yellow egg garnish and finely chopped scallions, while nutty sesame seeds and pepper added more flavor.

It is served in the standard torim style, with the rice steeped in the broth so every grain absorbs the deep stock. If you prefer soup and rice separately, simply ask when ordering. One spoonful of the hot broth brought the rich, deep taste of something carefully simmered in a large cauldron for a long time.

Within the clean finish unique to a clear broth, the savory aroma of beef seemed to melt away the autumn chill at once. Eating the plentiful tender beef with a crisp piece of kkakdugi made all the fatigue from my morning’s work disappear.

For the record, this place also offers unlimited steamed-rice refills, which is especially welcome for anyone wanting a filling meal.

Naju Gomtang Seook at a glance

• Address: 109, 1F, Building B, 401 Yangcheon-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (436 m from Exit 1 of Gayang Station)
• Hours: 11:00–21:00 (break time 14:30–16:00 / closed every Sunday)
• Parking: Available
• Ordered: Small suyuk and two Naju gomtang
• Atmosphere: A clean, cozy, comfortable dining space

With cool autumn winds blowing these days, how about filling not only your stomach but your heart with a warm, carefully made bowl of Naju gomtang?