Hongdae gomtang restaurant down a lantern-lit stone alley: Anok

My boyfriend and I came to Hongdae to shop for clothes and spotted this gomtang (beef bone soup) restaurant with a really nice atmosphere, so we went in! It looked a little different from the usual Hongdae restaurant vibe, which caught my eye — clean but with a strong hanok (traditional Korean house) feel, which made me even more curious.

It's also close to Hongdae street, so it was great for a date — eat here, then wander around Hongdae.

A hanok restaurant in the middle of Hongdae: what is Anok like inside?

Anok is a gomtang restaurant housed in a hanok building right in the middle of Hongdae. A restaurant with this kind of quiet, old-fashioned atmosphere, in the middle of Hongdae! I really like hanok anyway, so this calm mood appealed to me even more.

Walking in along the stone-walled path with softly glowing lanterns, the mood inside felt completely different again. With the light glowing gently between the stone wall and the hanok building, it almost felt like stepping into a quiet hanok village. It was surprising that a space this calm and atmospheric exists smack in the middle of Hongdae, and it was nice to feel a more relaxed vibe than the bustling Hongdae streets. From the moment I started slowly walking along the stone path, the setting was so pretty it put me in a good mood before I'd even eaten.

From the stone path to the hanok building to the soft lanterns, isn't every detail beautifully arranged? Nothing felt overdone — they kept the hanok's own charm intact, and with the soft lighting added on top, the atmosphere was really lovely. Finding this kind of quiet mood in the middle of Hongdae felt even more special!

Lunchtime crowd and window seats at Anok

At lunchtime, Anok was busy with guests of all ages. Eating at a window seat like this seemed like a relaxed way to enjoy a meal. There were lots of families dining together, and since Hongik University is nearby, I saw plenty of students and couples too!

It seemed like a good spot for a hearty family meal, or for grabbing lunch after a Hongdae date.

Salt and pepper on the table, broth notes on a tablet

Anok has salt and pepper set out at every table, so you can adjust the seasoning of each dish to your own taste if it needs more. The seasoning is well balanced to begin with, but if you like things saltier, a little extra shake will suit your taste.

The tablet on the table also had a write-up about Anok's broth! It said they carefully select medicinal herbs and simmer the broth with real care.

There was also an easy-to-read menu board at the entrance! The exterior is so pretty that even passersby naturally end up stopping to check the menu.

Kimchi and jangajji: what side dishes come with the meal?

Anok's basic side dishes are kimchi and jangajji (pickled vegetables). They're just the basics, but if it's a good gukbap (soup with rice) restaurant, you have to try the kimchi too! The kimchi paired well with the soup, and the jangajji was crisp and not too salty, perfect alongside the meal.

Clear gomtang, ₩13,000: how did it taste?

Anok's clear gomtang is ₩13,000. It arrived as a clear, light broth generously piled with meat over rice underneath! There was so much meat that just looking at it felt filling.

Following the instructions on the tablet, I tried the broth first! It was clear and light but with a deep flavor, and one spoonful in, I already felt like I was properly nourishing my body.

Pyongyang naengmyeon (water broth), ₩14,000: noodles and broth

Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon in water broth is ₩14,000. My boyfriend loves naengmyeon so we ordered this too, and it wasn't sharp or strong — mild and clean, with a subtle meaty aroma that came through more the more I ate.

The noodles were soft to chew rather than chewy, which actually matched the mild broth really well.

The owner's tip: meat dipped in sauce

The owner recommended pairing the meat with a sauce, saying it tastes great that way — so we tried it! It had a completely different charm from eating the meat plain. The sauce paired really well with the meat and brought out even more savory depth.

Since it's the owner's own recommended combo, I'd suggest trying the meat with the sauce when you visit.

Braised pork tail, ₩29,000: portion size and seasoning

Anok's braised pork tail is ₩29,000. We wanted something spicy, so we ordered the pork tail jjim!

Comparing it to my fist gives you a sense of the size, right?! Each piece was quite thick with plenty of meat on it, so it looked generous just to look at. On top of that, the sweet and spicy sauce was evenly coated over the meat, cutting through what could otherwise feel a bit greasy. The seasoning wasn't overly intense — it blended really well with the meat, and I kept reaching for more.

Who is Anok in Hongdae best for?

Anok is a place where every dish — meat, gukbap, naengmyeon — came out carefully made, making for a hearty, satisfying meal. I especially loved the combination of the generous meat and the clean gomtang broth, and the naengmyeon wrapped things up nicely with its light flavor and soft, chewy noodles!

What made it even more satisfying was getting to enjoy a hanok atmosphere that's rare to find in the middle of Hongdae. If you're looking for a good-atmosphere restaurant in Hongdae, or a solid Hongdae lunch spot for a filling meal, this place is worth a visit.