1++ Korean beef gomtang with meat dumplings after work: Geumnyeong

I had dinner with my boyfriend near Sinnonhyeon Station after work on a weekday, which we hadn't done in a while :) He said his stomach wasn't feeling great that day, so we spent a while thinking about what to eat for dinner. On days like that, warm, gentle Korean food is really the best option.

My boyfriend really loves gomtang (Korean beef bone soup), so this time we visited Geumnyeong Gomtang (금녕곰탕) Yeoksam Branch, which is known for its gomtang near Sinnonhyeon Station.

Summer is slowly winding down and the weather's getting a bit cooler, so it felt like a good time to enjoy a hot bowl of soup without feeling weighed down. I'd heard this place is known for using great ingredients generously in a deep, rich broth, so I was looking forward to it even before we arrived!

Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch basic info

• Location: 88m from Exit 4 of Sinnonhyeon Station, about 2 minutes on foot
• Hours: Mon–Sat 10:30–22:00 (last order 21:30)
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Closed on Sundays
• Parking: not available

A stylish gomtang restaurant 2 minutes from Sinnonhyeon Station

Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch was really close to Exit 4 of Sinnonhyeon Station. It took about 2 minutes on foot, so it was easy to get to after work. Right from the exterior, it felt a bit different from the traditional gomtang restaurants we usually picture.

The interior overall was clean and stylish, giving off the vibe of a modern Korean restaurant rather than a typical one. When we opened the door, I was surprised by how spacious the place was. The tables were spaced generously apart, so we could eat comfortably without worrying about the table next to us, and it was nice for relaxed conversation too. There was also group seating for larger parties, which made it seem like a good spot for office workers to visit after work.

It also seemed like a place solo diners could visit without feeling self-conscious, and it suited all kinds of occasions — lunch, dinner, company dinners with drinks, or gatherings. So I thought it would be a good option for anyone looking for a solo dining spot in Gangnam.

A varied menu with plenty to choose from

Looking at the menu, there was more than just gomtang — minari gomtang (water dropwort beef soup), rice noodles, pollock salad, and boiled pork were all available. I heard Geumnyeong Gomtang also offers a spicier version made with cheongyang chili, along with the minari gomtang, which brings out the fresh scent of the herb. That made me want to try the minari gomtang next time.

There was also a rice noodle option, which seemed like a good lunch choice if you visit at midday. Since we wanted something gentle on the stomach that day, we ordered the regular gomtang, and my boyfriend went with the large size. We also added a half plate of meat dumplings as a side :) Gomtang in Gangnam can sometimes be pricey, but the prices here were more reasonable than I expected.

A variety of banchan and self-serve kimchi

After we ordered, they brought over a jar of kimchi (fermented cabbage) to eat alongside the gomtang. Inside was well-fermented napa cabbage kimchi, and you served yourself as much as you wanted onto your own plate. The kimchi was crisp and clean-tasting, and it went really well with the gomtang.

There was also a self-serve corner set up on one side of the restaurant.

There were more banchan (side dishes) than I expected — cucumber with chili, seasoned soybeans, seasoned perilla leaves, pickled radish, pickled garlic, and more. Trying each one, I could tell they weren't just thrown together as an afterthought; real care had gone into them.

Eating warm soup and rice with all these side dishes made the meal feel really complete. This kind of hearty spread is exactly what I look for when searching for a good Korean restaurant near Sinnonhyeon.

Rich yet clean 1++ Korean beef gomtang

The gomtang we'd been waiting for finally arrived! The broth looked clear, but the moment it hit the table, a rich meaty aroma came through. Geumnyeong Gomtang says it uses only the highest grade of 1++ Korean beef, and the meat definitely looked the part. One bite in, there was no gamy smell at all.

The rice wasn't served separately — it came tereom-style, ladled and reheated with the broth, so the broth flavor had soaked into every grain. Each spoonful blended the rice and rich broth together naturally, and it was really nice. It had the kind of deep flavor that comes from long, slow simmering, but it wasn't greasy or heavy.

If anything, the broth was refreshing and clean, with a rich flavor that lingered in the mouth for a long time. It was especially good paired with the kimchi.

After a warm spoonful of gomtang followed by a bite of well-fermented kimchi, I understood exactly why people keep coming back to this kind of Korean food. It made it clear why this place gets recommended as a Korean restaurant near Sinnonhyeon.

The large size was genuinely generous

I also checked out the large size my boyfriend ordered — it costs about ₩2,000 more than the regular, but the portion was noticeably bigger. Most of all, there was a generous amount of meat. It felt like meat kept coming no matter how much we ate, and my boyfriend was really happy with it.

The meat was tender and tasty on its own, but it was also good dipped in the soy sauce, and it paired nicely with the kimchi too. I'd recommend the large size to anyone who eats a lot or wants a really filling meal. It also seems like a good solo dining option in Gangnam — coming alone and having a bowl of large gomtang would be really satisfying :)

The meat dumplings were the perfect side

The half plate of meat dumplings we'd ordered with the gomtang arrived too. Since it was a half plate, we got about 3 pieces, but each one was quite large, almost like a king-size mandu. It tasted exactly like the classic, delicious meat dumpling you'd hope for.

The dumplings themselves weren't overly seasoned, so they paired well with the mild gomtang. A spoonful of gomtang followed by a bite of dumpling made for a really filling dinner. Between the two of us finishing two bowls of gomtang plus the dumplings, we ended up surprisingly full.

A gentle dinner near Sinnonhyeon Station

Most importantly, my boyfriend's stomach had been bothering him that day, but after eating the warm gomtang, he said he definitely felt better. That made me even more satisfied. On days when spicy or heavy food feels like too much, a warm, hearty meal like this really is the best. If you're looking for dinner near Sinnonhyeon Station after work, or a gentle Korean meal, this place was really good.

Next time I definitely want to try the minari gomtang, which is supposed to have a fresh herbal scent. I'm also curious about the rice noodles for lunch, so I'd like to go back for that as a Gangnam lunch option. With everything from gomtang to rice noodles on the menu, it seems like a good spot to visit at lunchtime too.

Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch review

I visited this time with my boyfriend for a gentle dinner, and overall it was really satisfying. The spacious, clean dining room made for a comfortable meal, and the group seating made it seem like a good spot for a company dinner or gathering too.

Most of all, true to using 1++ Korean beef, the quality of the meat was great, and the broth was impressively rich yet clean, with no gamy smell. Because the rice comes tereom-style with broth soaked into every grain, you get that deep flavor from the very first bite to the last. It's a good spot for a simple solo meal, or for a hearty lunch or dinner after work.

If you're looking for a Korean restaurant near Sinnonhyeon, Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch is a good place to get a warm bowl of gomtang. Next time I plan to try the minari gomtang for sure, and try the rice noodles as a Gangnam lunch option. If you're after a hearty yet gentle solo dining spot in Gangnam, this place is worth a visit :)