Hongdae gomtang restaurant with a night courtyard window seat: Anok
In short
Anok is a hanok Korean restaurant in an alley off Hongik-ro in Mapo-gu, Seoul, serving clear pork gomtang (pork bone soup), Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) and braised pork tail. On a night visit, the writer passed a tiled gate and stone-paved courtyard to a full-height window seat and tried all three dishes, with folk paintings and hanging scrolls on the walls and wide gaps between tables keeping the room calm. The mild, deep gomtang broth with the chewy braised pork tail is what makes Anok worth the trip.
Good to know
- Address
- 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Hours
- Daily 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00)
- Clear pork gomtang
- 13,000 won
- Pyongyang naengmyeon (in broth)
- 14,000 won
- Pyongyang naengmyeon (mixed)
- 15,000 won
- Braised pork tail
- 29,000 won
- Pork platter (don-bok jaeban)
- 45,000 won
- Hanwoo beef bulgogi hot pot
- 64,000 won
- Ordering
- Tablet on every table
as written by the visitor on Sep 17, 2026
What kind of restaurant is Anok?
Anok is a hanok-style Korean restaurant tucked in an alley off Hongikro 13-4 in Mapo, Seoul, in the heart of Hongdae. On a day when I wanted a solid meal in a calm atmosphere, I got a great chance to visit. Wandering the Mapo backstreets, I stumbled on a spot with unexpectedly quiet, old-fashioned interior and exterior that really stood out — this is Anok, a Hongdae gomtang (pork bone soup) restaurant that a lot of people seek out. Stepping away from the busy streets into a space with such a traditional feel, I felt myself relax the moment I walked in.
Anok's hanok gate and courtyard at night
The traditional hanok-style exterior, cozily set into the night alley, caught my eye right away. The wooden signboard at the entrance, lit by soft lighting, looked especially stylish.
The tiled hanok gate paired beautifully with the blue address plate beside it. The alley beyond had that unmistakable traditional atmosphere.
Stepping through the gate, a cozy little courtyard and stone path welcomed me. The long corridor space under the lit eaves was striking too.
Inside Anok: window seats and tablet ordering
Inside, you could enjoy the cozy courtyard view through the big glass windows. Each table had a tablet for ordering, neatly set up.
Traditional folk paintings and hanging scrolls on the walls gave the space a calm mood. The tables were spaced generously apart, making for a comfortable layout.
Three dishes on one table: naengmyeon, gomtang and pork tail
On the table at Anok, naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), gomtang, and spicy pork tail jjim were laid out generously. The side dishes came in tidy little bowls too.
Braised pork tail, 29,000 won
The pork tail jjim, soaked in a special sauce, was topped with a heap of shredded scallion and sesame seeds. It was glossy and shiny, the kind of dish that makes you hungry just looking at it.
Lifted with chopsticks, the pork tail jjim showed off its chewy texture perfectly. The spicy-sweet sauce clung thickly to the surface.
Plated on my small dish, the pork tail jjim kept its plump, springy shape. The deep seasoning and chewy texture worked really well together.
Clear pork gomtang, 13,000 won
This is the signature dish of this Hongdae gomtang restaurant — clear, pale broth piled with thin, tender slices of boiled pork. Chopped scallions and a sprinkle of pepper finished it off.
The warm, mild broth came loaded with a generous amount of meat. The clean look made it easy to just dig in with a spoon.
I mixed rice into the clear gomtang broth and enjoyed it heartily with the tender boiled pork. The deep, clean broth flavor made it a bowl worthy of this Hongdae gomtang restaurant's reputation.
I scooped up a spoonful of rice, topped it with a tender piece of boiled pork, and took a big bite. The mild meat and rice blended with the broth for a deep, satisfying flavor.
Pyongyang naengmyeon in broth, 14,000 won
Buckwheat noodles sat neatly in a deep bowl, topped with layers of thinly sliced boiled pork. The clear, transparent broth looked refreshingly cool.
I took a piece of the softly boiled pork and topped it with a bit of spicy sauce. The mild flavor of the meat itself worked well with the savory sauce.
The view outside from the window seat felt so cozy and peaceful. Under the soft lighting, it was a comfortable space to enjoy a meal.
Where Anok is and when it opens
Anok is located at 13-4 Hongikro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, tucked into a Mapo alley. Thanks to the cozy hanok interior, even the walk there had a bit of extra excitement.
- Address: 13-4 Hongikro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00)
Anok's menu and prices
Anok's menu ranges from clear gomtang to Pyongyang naengmyeon to the specialty pork tail jjim, so it was easy to pick something that suited my taste.
- Clear pork gomtang — ₩13,000
- Pyongyang naengmyeon (water) — ₩14,000
- Pyongyang naengmyeon (mixed) — ₩15,000
- Pork tail jjim — ₩29,000
- Pork bokjaeng platter — ₩45,000
- Hanwoo bulgogi hot pot — ₩64,000
The mild yet deep broth of the gomtang paired with the chewy pork tail jjim is a combination I keep thinking about. Anok, this Hongdae gomtang restaurant where I got to spend a relaxed time in a quiet hanok space, is worth a visit whenever you need a meal that lifts your mood.
