Hongdae restaurant in Seoul for grilled deodeok at dinner: Anok

Hongdae Pyeongyang naengmyeon spot / Hongdae gukbap spot / Hongdae gomtang spot

I visited a beautiful, atmospheric hanok in Hongdae that felt like stepping into a hanok village, and had Pyeongyang naengmyeon, gomtang, pork tail jjim, and even grilled deodeok!

From the clean Pyeongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodle soup) piled with meat and the hot, refreshing gomtang (clear meat soup), to the chewy, tender, spicy pork tail jjim (braised pork tail) and the grilled deodeok (mountain herb root) coated in spicy sauce that's perfect for drinks — if you're looking for a Hongdae Pyeongyang naengmyeon spot, gomtang spot, or gukbap spot, I recommend Anok, which even has a gorgeous hanok atmosphere!

Anok's location and opening hours

• Location: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Hours: 11:00 ~ 22:00 (last order 21:00)

7 minutes from Hongik University Station: the lantern-lit hanok exterior

Wow... a hanok restaurant with this much atmosphere just 7 minutes from Hongik University Station!! I visited in the evening, and the exterior lighting was so pretty that I fell in love before even going in! I couldn't wait to step inside ><

Inside Anok: atmosphere and seating

The outside was pretty, but the inside was... even prettier! The hanok's signature luxurious, calm atmosphere made the whole meal feel relaxing :) With its calm, upscale vibe, it also seems perfect for a formal occasion like a family meal or an important appointment.

There were quite a lot of tables inside! Many diners were eating quietly, so I'd also recommend it for a small gathering or get-together of 12 people or fewer in a hanok setting :)

Anok felt luxurious not just in its space but also in its tableware. The table setting was so neat that I got even more excited before the food arrived!

What's on Anok's menu

From meal dishes to meat dishes, hot pots, and pan-fried & grilled items, the Korean menu was so varied, I loved it!

• Meals: Clear gomtang (special) / Pyeongyang naengmyeon (water·mixed) / Yukhoe bibimbap
• Hot pots: Donbok tray / Hanwoo bulgogi jeongol
• Meat dishes: Pork tail jjim / Warm jeyuk plate / Yukhoe
• Pan-fried & grilled: Grilled deodeok / Cheese potato jeon / Kimchi jeon
• Extras: Extra meat / Extra naengmyeon noodles / Rice

What we ordered and the side dishes

Ta-da! Our clear pork gomtang, Pyeongyang naengmyeon, and pork tail jjim arrived! From the visuals to the portion size, I loved everything about it :)

Especially the gomtang and naengmyeon, both piled high with big chunks of meat!

Before the mains arrived, we got napa cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, a tangy soy-based side dish, and a dipping sauce! The kimchi was cool and crisp, and the dipping sauce went especially well with the naengmyeon :)

What does the clear pork gomtang taste like?

Anok's clear gomtang comes loaded with rice and meat! The clear, deep, hot broth felt like it was gently soothing my stomach, and it was so clean-tasting that I kept eating more and more!

There was a generous amount of meat too, so I loved it haha. Meat lovers, rejoice...

Topping the hot gomtang with cool, spicy kimchi is just next level..!!

Pyeongyang naengmyeon and when to add the dipping sauce

Next up, Pyeongyang naengmyeon! Anok's naengmyeon has a clean broth with big chunks of meat... the plating is elegant and pretty, and the broth itself was clean and mild, which I loved!

This dipping sauce was just the right amount of salty and spicy, genuinely delicious. Put it on the noodles, then take a spoonful of the mild broth..! I'd recommend starting with the dish's original flavor, then adding the sauce partway through.

Pork tail jjim, the dish I'd seen all over YouTube

The dish I was most excited about, pork tail jjim! I'd wanted to try it ever since it went viral on YouTube, and I finally did :)

Chewy yet tender, and deliciously spicy — I kept reaching for more.

The portion was generous, so we actually left some behind... thinking back now, I really regret not finishing it ㅠㅠㅠ

Grilled deodeok, the extra order worth making

Since I love Korean dishes like namul (seasoned greens), I also ordered the grilled deodeok. It had just the right soft-yet-crunchy texture, and the seasoning was delicious. The moment I tasted it, I thought, 'I need makgeolli right now...!' :)

Final verdict and 3 tips for visiting Anok

1. If it's your first visit to Anok, I highly recommend the clear pork gomtang, Pyeongyang naengmyeon, and pork tail jjim! I got to try a good variety of Anok's signature dishes, and overall I was satisfied with everything from visuals to portion size ><. If you love Korean food, add the grilled deodeok too!

2. The window seats have a genuinely amazing atmosphere! In the evening, the hanok exterior and the lighting blend together beautifully. I'd recommend a window seat for a date or a meal with your parents :)

3. Make sure to try the dipping sauce with both the gomtang and the Pyeongyang naengmyeon! The salty, spicy sauce pairs well with both the mild gomtang and the naengmyeon. I'd recommend starting with the original flavor, then adding the sauce partway through :)

I loved being able to enjoy Korean food in such a pretty hanok atmosphere in Hongdae at Anok! From the mild Pyeongyang naengmyeon and hot pork gomtang to the chewy pork tail jjim and the deodeok that had me craving makgeolli — everything was delicious :) It seems like a great spot for a date, a meal with parents, a family gathering, or a small get-together.