Insa-dong restaurant: thick bossam, spicy gimbap at Goshine Donghae

Where is Goshine Donghae Makguksu Jongno branch?

Goshine Donghae Makguksu Jongno branch sits at 3 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul — the very first building in the alley right beside Ssamzigil. It's also close to Anguk Station, so it was easy to find and very accessible.

My friend and I went to Insa-dong last weekend. It had been a while since I'd been in that area, and maybe because the weather's been so nice lately, it was packed with both Koreans and tourists.

After walking through Ssamzigil and around the neighborhood, we headed to lunch at Goshine Donghae Makguksu!

Goshine Donghae Makguksu has been run by the same family for two generations in Gangneung — a representative Gangwon-do restaurant with its main branch in Gangneung, and this Jongno location operating as a direct branch.

Inside the hanok: courtyard seats and a private room

Goshine Donghae Makguksu Jongno branch is housed in a hanok-style building, and the interior really carries that Korean aesthetic — the vibe is amazing, isn't it?! There were plenty of Korean customers but also tons of foreign visitors, and quite a few families too.

We waited a bit since it was busy, and while looking around I spotted traditional mask figures — they added a lot to the interior >_<

There was also a Gangwon-do gift corner — honey and perilla oil looked like perfect gifts.

Heading further inside, there were more tables, and the lighting and mood here were just as pretty ✨

But that wasn't the end — there was a path leading even further in, so we followed it.

And there it was — a serene hanok courtyard and an independent, private room space 🫢 It felt like visiting someone's hanok home.

The room was spacious too, perfect for family or group gatherings. As a hanok lover, I was completely won over by the atmosphere, and figured the food would taste even better because of it — so we sat down and ordered. Ordering is done via tablet, and while I didn't get a photo, since there are so many tourists it supported English, Japanese, and Chinese.

What we ordered at Goshine Donghae, and what it cost

I took a photo of the menu board outside. It had everything from set menus to makguksu, rice dishes, and buckwheat gimbap.

Choi's picks 2-person set ₩40,000 (water makguksu + bibim makguksu + bossam) Spicy buckwheat gimbap ₩8,500

They set us up with radish pickle and yeolmu kimchi as side dishes to go with the makguksu.

There were also other side dishes like kimchi, kkakdugi, and pickled onion, available at a self-serve bar to take as much as you need.

They brought out all the great-looking, delicious dishes at once. Mouth already watering.

Everything looked delicious, and I loved that every dish came generously topped with sesame seeds.

Water makguksu: house-made noodles in a clean broth

First up was the water makguksu. With bits of ice floating in it, it's perfectly refreshing.

They cut the noodles with scissors a bit and mixed everything evenly. There was a bit of seasoning sauce mixed in too, so mix well!

The broth was the first thing I tasted — really clean, with great umami and a subtle sweetness. Delicious from the broth alone.

The noodles are house-made, so of course they were great — chewy with a nice springiness, and the distinctive buckwheat texture came through clearly.

Bibim makguksu with pollock sikhae: deep flavour, not fiery

Next was the pollock sikhae (fermented pollock) bibim noodles. I forgot they gave us broth separately and mixed the noodles first, then added the broth afterward haha.

You can add more or less broth depending on your taste — it looks spicy but actually isn't; it's a rich, delicious bibim noodle flavor.

There was quite a lot of pollock in it too, and it was so tender it melted in my mouth.

The bossam in the 2-person set: thicker than expected

Next was the bossam (boiled pork). Honestly, since it came with the set, I figured we'd get a few thin slices — but no, a whole plate of thick-cut bossam came out!

And it was so tender it was practically falling apart. Completely juicy, soft bossam through and through.

Eating it with the pollock namul (seasoned pollock) on top was heavenly. The ratio of lean meat to fat was just right, with zero gamey smell — genuinely delicious.

Spicy buckwheat gimbap: a clean kind of heat

Last was the spicy buckwheat gimbap. Made with buckwheat instead of rice, so it feels healthier and lighter on calories!

Each piece had a spicy green chili on top, so it's definitely spicy — but really delicious.

You could taste the chewiness and clean flavor unique to buckwheat noodles, along with the chili's heat and the sweet-salty seasoning all at once — a clean kind of spicy. I ended up drinking the broth because it got too spicy, but it was too good to stop ✨

From the signature makguksu to the bossam and buckwheat gimbap, everything at Goshine Donghae Makguksu was genuinely delicious. If you're looking for a good restaurant near Anguk Station or in Insa-dong, I recommend Goshine Donghae Makguksu!

Is Goshine Donghae worth it in Insa-dong?

• A Korean restaurant in Insa-dong's Ssamzigil area, run by the same family for two generations
• A well-known spot near Anguk Station popular with both Koreans and foreign tourists
• Generous set menu portions, with bossam that's remarkably thick and delicious
• House-made noodles give the makguksu great chewiness, paired perfectly with spicy buckwheat gimbap
• Recommended as a place to eat near Anguk Station