Hongdae Korean restaurant in a hanok for a quiet meal: Anok

Anok, a hanok-style spot in Hongdae

Anok (안옥) is about a three-minute walk from Hongik University’s main gate, so it’s super close to the university! It’s also an easy walk from Hongik University Station.

The first thing that caught my eye when we arrived was the hanok exterior. There are lots of restaurants with that hanok vibe these days, but Anok had decorated not only the building but also its courtyard so beautifully that I was happy even before going in >< It had the tranquil feeling unique to a hanok while looking neatly maintained, so it was truly great for photos. We couldn’t just walk past—we took quite a few pictures out front and in the courtyard haha.

What was the interior like?

Inside, too, there was a calm wood-toned atmosphere that suited the hanok exterior perfectly. Everything was clean and orderly, making it comfortable to eat in, and it wasn’t overly noisy, so it was nice for a meal while chatting with friends or a partner. There were also lots of people dining alone! The warmth unique to a hanok made it feel like a space that went especially well with Korean food 😍

The menu and what we ordered

Anok offers a range of Korean dishes centered on items such as Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles in broth) and gomtang (beef soup). A bowl of noodles or gomtang is filling on its own, as we found, but adding a dish like braised pork tail makes for a generous meal to share between two.

Main meals were in the low ₩10,000 range, while the meat dishes were in the ₩20,000 range—just right to share 🤩 They also have hot pots and grilled dishes, so next time I want to try the donbok jeongban platter!

Seeing how proud they are of their broth made me completely excited before even eating ❣️ This is what we ordered.

• Clear gomtang ₩13,000
• Pyongyang naengmyeon ₩14,000
• Braised pork tail ₩29,000
• Total ₩56,000

Clean broths and an unexpected menu pairing

Neatly arranged side dishes, salt, sauce, and pepper arrived with the meal. The kimchi and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) weren’t too intense and went perfectly with the broths! If you run short on side dishes, the staff kindly refill them ❤️

How was the Pyongyang naengmyeon?

One of the dishes I was most looking forward to that day was the Pyongyang naengmyeon! Its clean, mild broth was the first thing I noticed. It wasn’t strongly seasoned or punchy, so the first taste was gentle, but a subtle savoriness built gradually as I ate.

It kept the characteristic mildness of Pyongyang naengmyeon, while the noodles themselves had a pleasantly chewy texture that kept my chopsticks moving. Another great point was being able to adjust the seasoning to your taste! I tried it as served first, then added a little sauce, pepper, and salt bit by bit. Personally, I loved enjoying the broth’s natural mild flavor first, then giving it a slight boost of seasoning. If you prefer clean, mild naengmyeon over a strongly flavored kind, I think you’ll be satisfied!

What about the clear gomtang broth?

And then there was the clear gomtang, which I really, really enjoyed! When you think of gomtang, it’s easy to picture a rich, heavy broth, but Anok’s clear gomtang was, just as its name suggests, clear and clean-tasting.

I first tried it with barely any seasoning, and it was mild with a subtle, savory beef-broth flavor. Then I added just a touch of salt, and personally, that was so delicious. The little bit of salt really brought the broth’s umami to life while keeping its original clean flavor intact. The broth was so clear and easy to sip that I kept reaching for it, and it really is a hearty meal. The portion is huge 😊

The braised pork tail was the surprise dish

And the surprise dish of the day was the braised pork tail! Honestly, we had gone for the Pyongyang naengmyeon and gomtang, then ordered this because we were curious—and after trying it, I thought we made such a good choice haha. First of all, the meat was incredibly tender and soft. It came apart gently with just a little nudge from chopsticks, and it was both springy and tender when chewed.

You could especially feel the pork tail’s distinctive collagen-rich texture—it was literally collagen itself! I loved that bouncy yet tender bite. I also really liked the seasoning. It wasn’t overly spicy or intense; it had just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness. The sauce had soaked beautifully into the meat, so it was delicious on its own and paired well with either the gomtang or naengmyeon.

Braised pork tail—and the surprise dish of the day was the braised pork tail! Honestly, we had gone for the Pyongyang naengmyeon and gomtang, then ordered this because we were curious—and after trying it, I thought we made such a good choice haha. First of all, the meat was incredibly tender and soft. It came apart gently with just a little nudge from chopsticks, and it was both springy and tender when chewed.

You could especially feel the pork tail’s distinctive collagen-rich texture—it was literally collagen itself! I loved that bouncy yet tender bite. I also really liked the seasoning. It wasn’t overly spicy or intense; it had just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness. The sauce had soaked beautifully into the meat, so it was delicious on its own and paired well with either the gomtang or naengmyeon. Between the mild Pyongyang naengmyeon and clean gomtang, the braised pork tail was definitely the standout point, so the three-dish combination was good! 💓

A clean-tasting Korean meal in a hanok

• Recommended if you want a proper Korean meal in Hongdae!
• A great Hongdae restaurant for both food and atmosphere
• A place with a mild yet subtly deep flavor that is very appealing

Anok stayed in my mind because I could enjoy not only the food but also the beautiful hanok atmosphere. The courtyard was especially nicely arranged, making it great for photos before or after eating, and the interior was calm and comfortable, so I’d recommend it for a date or a meal with friends.

The food overall had a clean style that highlighted the ingredients’ natural flavors rather than being intense! If you’re looking for a good Pyongyang naengmyeon or gomtang restaurant in Hongdae, I think it would be worth a visit 🥰