Hongdae hanok restaurant for rice in leftover naengmyeon broth: Anok
In short
Anok is a hanok Korean restaurant in an alley near Exit 9 of Hongik University Station in Mapo, Seoul. A couple ordered Pyongyang naengmyeon (14,000 won), clear gomtang (13,000 won) and pork tail jjim (29,000 won), and after finishing the naengmyeon noodles they swirled a bowl of rice into the leftover broth and meat topping for a second course that drank like a clear pork gomtang. Anok suits couples and office workers who want deep broth and a calm hanok setting in the middle of Hongdae.
Good to know
- Pyongyang naengmyeon
- 14,000 won
- Clear gomtang
- 13,000 won
- Pork tail jjim (braised pork tail)
- 29,000 won
- Address
- 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (365 m, a 7-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9)
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00)
- Closed
- Closed every Monday
- Parking
- No dedicated parking; nearby public lots recommended
- Seating and extras
- Group table for up to 12, corkage 30,000 won per bottle, takeout and delivery available
- Price reference
- ₩14,000 ≈ $10.5 · ₩13,000 ≈ $9.6 · ₩29,000 ≈ $21.5 (2026-09-15)
as written by the visitor on Sep 15, 2026
I took my wife out for a date in lively Hongdae for a change of pace. Wandering past the crowds and flashy shopfronts, we got hungry and started craving something clean and proper Korean. Then, in total contrast to Hongdae's bustling vibe, we spotted a wonderfully quiet, atmospheric hanok (traditional Korean house) restaurant — Anok, which is emerging as a new hotspot.
How to find Anok, and what the hanok window seats are like
Anok is a hanok restaurant you reach by walking down an alley from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station. It appears in front of you like a secret hideout in the middle of the city — a pretty hanok. The moment I opened the door, the warm, comfortable air of the place pulled me in. Inside, near the back, there were slightly private window seats where you could dine quietly while looking out at the hanok courtyard, and other couples were already enjoying a cozy date there. It looked so good that I mentally noted: next time, I'm definitely sitting at that window seat.
What we ordered at Anok and what it cost
That day we ordered the restaurant's signature Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles, ₩14,000), the clear gomtang (beef bone soup, ₩13,000), and the pork tail jjim (braised pork tail), known as a local specialty, for ₩29,000.
Anok's pork tail jjim: spicy-sweet, like fire jokbal
The pork tail jjim was the first dish to hit the table, and its look alone was seriously appetizing. The slow-braised pork tail had a chewy yet tender texture that was fun to bite into. The sauce had that addictive spicy-sweet flavor of fire-style jokbal (braised pig's trotters), and the meat was so generously attached that you'd never guess it was tail unless someone told you. Anyone who likes jokbal or mini-jokbal will have their eyes light up without a doubt.
What does Anok's clear gomtang broth taste like?
Next came the clear gomtang, a dish that showed the real chops of a true Hongdae gomtang restaurant.
The broth, which the owner apparently simmers for hours in-house, had absolutely no gamey smell — clean, light, yet deeply flavorful.
One sip and I felt instantly soothed, the kind of broth you can't stop drinking. Piling on the tidy side dishes of kimchi and jangajji (pickled vegetables) made it an even better combo.
For reference, I personally love pepper, so I sprinkled some of the coarsely ground pepper set on the table, and the sharp kick made the broth taste even more elevated. If you're looking for a proper hot meal, this easily holds its own as a top Hongdae gukbap (soup with rice) spot.
Swirling rice into the leftover Pyongyang naengmyeon broth
Last but definitely anticipated: the Pyongyang naengmyeon. The house-made broth, chilled down and kept light, had the classic subtle, understated flavor of Pyongyang naengmyeon with a quietly savory depth hidden underneath.
But the real twist of this naengmyeon is the amount of meat topping. No matter how much you eat, the meat never seems to run out — it just keeps filling the bowl. So I pulled out my own little trick, the move of a true eating expert: after finishing all the noodles, I added a bowl of rice to the leftover broth and meat and mixed it all together. What started as a naengmyeon order suddenly turned into a full second bowl of refreshing, clean clear pork gomtang. This is a genuine Hongdae Pyongyang naengmyeon spot that nails value, portion, and taste all at once.
It's rare to find a place in the middle of Hongdae that lets you enjoy this level of quality Korean food alongside such a calm hanok atmosphere.
Every dish felt made with care, the broths ran deep, and I'd strongly recommend it to office workers looking for an easygoing lunch spot in Hongdae or couples wanting a tidy Korean food date.
Anok visitor information: hours, parking and corkage
- Name: Anok (안옥)
- Address: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (365m, 7-min walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9)
- Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00 / closed every Monday)
- Parking: No dedicated parking due to the commercial district (nearby public parking recommended)
- Features: Group seating available (up to 12), corkage available (₩30,000 per bottle), takeout and delivery available
