Wangsimni gomtang restaurant in an old house: Geumnyeong Gomtang

These days, whenever my stomach feels heavy or I crave a hot bowl of broth, gomtang (beef bone soup) is the first thing that comes to mind! Today I visited Geumnyeong Gomtang, a Korean restaurant hidden in a Wangsimni alley with a house-like feel. There were plenty of solo diners and families too, so it was an easy place to just walk into.

Where is Geumnyeong Gomtang, and what are its hours?

• Geumnyeong Gomtang / 11 Wangsimni-ro 20-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Mon–Sat 10:00 - 22:00
• Break time 15:00 - 17:00
• Last order 21:30

A converted house in a Wangsimni alley

The first thing that caught my eye about Geumnyeong Gomtang was that it looked more like a converted house than a typical restaurant building.

Tucked away in a Wangsimni alley, it had that hidden-gem feel of a place only locals know about. Even at first glance, it somehow already felt like a great restaurant.

Seating on two floors: fine for solo diners and families

Inside, Geumnyeong Gomtang runs across two floors. There was more seating than I expected, and I saw a real mix of solo diners and families. The quiet, comfortable atmosphere made it easy to eat alone, but it also seemed like a great spot to bring your parents.

What we ordered: basic gomtang and special minari gomtang

Geumnyeong Gomtang has a range of menu items from plain gomtang to minari (water dropwort) gomtang. I ordered the basic gomtang and the special minari gomtang. Both are popular choices, so if it's your first visit, I'd recommend ordering one of each to share.

Side dishes: kimchi, kkakdugi and dried radish

Before the food arrived, the side dishes came out: kimchi, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and dried radish strips. I honestly think the kimchi makes or breaks a gomtang restaurant, and here the side dishes were genuinely satisfying. The dried radish especially had great texture and savory flavor, so I kept reaching for it, and both the kimchi and kkakdugi paired really well with the gomtang.

Wow... this was a visual I had to photograph. We ordered the basic gomtang and the special minari gomtang together, and side by side they looked filling just to look at! The special minari gomtang especially was piled so high I thought, 'they're really giving this much minari?' and the toremyung-style gomtang gave off a hot, savory aroma that seriously triggered my appetite 😋

Toryeom style: the rice comes already in the broth

The moment the gomtang arrived, the first thing I noticed was that the rice wasn't served separately. It's served toremyung-style (rice pre-folded into hot broth), with the rice already sitting in the soup. Because of that, the broth and rice blended together naturally, making it even softer to eat. The broth felt clean yet deep, and it left my stomach feeling settled.

How much minari is in the special minari gomtang?

Personally, the menu that impressed me most was the special minari gomtang. The amount of minari on top was genuinely surprising. There was so much that I ended up sharing some with my sibling, who had ordered the basic gomtang. The fragrant, distinctive flavor of minari paired beautifully with the broth and made the gomtang taste even cleaner. If it's your first visit, I really recommend ordering one basic and one minari gomtang to share!

Rice cake slices in the gomtang

There were also rice cake dumplings (tteokguk-tteok) inside the gomtang. If it were just rice, it might feel a bit plain, but the chewy rice cakes added extra texture throughout. I personally loved this little detail, and it made the bowl feel even more delicious and filling 😋

Beef with mustard soy sauce: the best combination

Rather than just eating the meat plain, I tried it topped with kimchi, kkakdugi, and dried radish one at a time. Each combination had its own charm, which made it fun to mix and match. Personally, my top pick was meat dipped in mustard soy sauce topped with kkakdugi. The combination of savoriness and crunch was really great. 🔥

The meat inside the gomtang came with a soy-based mustard sauce on the side for dipping. This combination worked far better than I expected. The mild, clean flavor of the meat paired with the salty, sharp kick of the mustard made every last piece delicious.

Verdict: a hearty meal in Wangsimni

If you're looking for a hearty meal in Wangsimni, Geumnyeong Gomtang was more than satisfying. You can enjoy a warm bowl of gomtang in a converted house with a cozy, homey feel, and the atmosphere works well whether you're eating solo or with family. I especially recommend trying the toremyung-style gomtang and the generously topped special minari gomtang. It's the kind of Wangsimni restaurant that hits the spot on a day when your stomach feels heavy or you're craving something hot and comforting.

• Geumnyeong Gomtang, a Wangsimni Korean restaurant with cozy house vibes
• Recommended: toremyung-style gomtang and the minari-loaded special minari gomtang
• Great for solo diners and families alike, with kimchi, kkakdugi, and dried radish all delicious too