# Hongdae Seoul gukbap restaurant for a Friday dinner with a kid: Anok

- By Seodam (https://superchart.com/en/@shared-pot-seoul/)
- Written Sep 19, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@shared-pot-seoul/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@shared-pot-seoul/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/index.md)

## In short

Anok is a hanok-style gukbap (rice-and-broth soup) restaurant down a flight of stairs in an alley off the front gate of Hongik University in Mapo, Seoul. On a Friday evening the writer came with his wife and son and ordered clear pork gomtang, Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles in chilled broth) and braised pork tail, and even the child, who dislikes strong flavors, drank a good amount of the broth. For a quiet, mild family meal in the middle of Hongdae, Anok is the answer.

## Good to know

- **Address**: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- **Hours**: 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00), as of September 2026
- **Ordered**: Clear pork gomtang, Pyongyang naengmyeon (chilled broth), braised pork tail
- **Group seating**: Up to 12 people
- **Parking**: Not confirmed — best to ask the restaurant directly
- **Reservations**: By phone or Naver Reservation

*as written by the visitor on Sep 19, 2026*

![Main photo of Anok, a hanok gukbap restaurant in Hongdae](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-01-1pi2v-1200.webp)

In Mapo, Seoul, near Hongdae — want to taste a truly deep gomtang (bone broth soup) broth?

Ever had a whole family out in Hongdae on a Friday night, stuck debating what to eat? Finding a quiet, filling meal in the Hongdae alleys where you can practically hear the club music thumping isn't as easy as it sounds. My son, my wife and I had exactly that dilemma this time, and we ended up having the meal of our lives in a place I never expected. Let me tell you about Anok, which has been spreading by word of mouth as a top gukbap spot in Hongdae.

## A hanok in the middle of Hongdae?

Anok is a gukbap restaurant housed in a hanok (traditional Korean house) building that you reach by walking into the alley off Hongik University's front gate and heading down a staircase. The moment you go down those stairs, it genuinely feels like entering a different world — a tiled-roof hanok building suddenly appears in front of you.

![Hanok exterior at the bottom of the alley staircase near Hongik University's front gate](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-02-1dlql-966.webp)

![View of Anok's tiled-roof hanok building](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-03-1pz7p-m-966.webp)

![Anok's interior decorated in traditional Korean style](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-04-1gr0u-966.webp)

![Quiet seating area inside Anok](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-05-1b8ow-966.webp)

"Is this really the same rowdy Hongdae?" — the vibe shifts that much. Step inside and the traditional Korean interior immediately raises your expectations for the food. All the street noise outside seems to vanish once you're in here, making it a genuinely perfect spot for a quiet family meal after a long time.

## What is on the menu at Anok

Anok is a gukbap specialist, but its menu also includes Pyongyang naengmyeon and braised pork tail. At first I thought, "can one place really do all of this?" but after eating, it really does pull it off.

![Anok's menu board listing both gukbap and Pyongyang naengmyeon](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-06-ybrng-966.webp)

![Overview of Anok's menu lineup](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-07-7g4pa-966.webp)

![Table setting at Anok](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-08-zuybt-966.webp)

![Dishes being prepared for the table at Anok](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-09-mgqwu-966.webp)

That day we ordered three things.

![A table at Anok with all three ordered dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-10-vawy3-966.webp)

### Clear pork gomtang: mild enough that a child drinks the broth

First, the clear pork gomtang. Thinly sliced pork meets a clear, deep broth, with a mild, comforting flavor. Even my son, who dislikes strong flavors, drank quite a lot of the broth. It had that kind of mildness that goes down easily whether you're an adult or a kid.

![Clear pork gomtang with thinly sliced meat](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-11-jvdyk-966.webp)

![Close-up of the clear, deep pork gomtang broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-12-1twvi-966.webp)

### Pyongyang naengmyeon: not an imitation, but Anok's own style

Second, the Pyongyang naengmyeon (water broth). I usually only crave Pyongyang naengmyeon once a year, in summer, and I thought I'd missed my chance this year. Then I found it at Anok. The famous Pyongyang naengmyeon spots around Seoul each have their own subtly different take, and Anok's clearly has its own distinct character too. Not an imitation flavor — it has its own style.

![A bowl of Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon in water broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-13-136jz-966.webp)

### Braised pork tail: the biggest surprise of the three dishes

Third, the braised pork tail. Honestly, this was the biggest surprise of the three. The sweet-and-spicy sauce fills your mouth, and the combination of the pork tail's signature collagen texture and its savory fat is unique. I thought, "this is something you really have to try at least once."

## Where Anok is and how to find the stairs

Anok's address is 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. You'll find it by heading down the staircase in the alley off Hongik University's front gate.

![Alley staircase leading down to Anok](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-14-d41pn-966.webp)

![Anok's entrance seen from the Hongik-ro alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-15-1wnh5-966.webp)

![Anok's sign and directions to find it](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-16-umk3w-966.webp)

At first it feels a bit hidden, so it's easy to walk right past — but once you find it, you'll think, "ah, so this was it." You can reserve or inquire by phone, and if the call doesn't go through, using Naver Reservation is convenient.

## Anok's hours and group seating for 12

As of September 2026, Anok is open from 11am to 10pm. Last order is at 9pm, so if you're planning to go late in the evening, be sure to check this.

![Anok's posted hours and interior space](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-17-fshfl-966.webp)

If you're going with family on a Friday evening like I did, it's best to leave plenty of buffer before last order. Group seating apparently goes up to 12 people, which could work for a holiday family gathering or even a department dinner. Setting up a spread of gukbap or naengmyeon in a hanok atmosphere would make for a great mood.

## One honest drawback at Anok

Since Anok sits down a staircase in an alley, first-time visitors might wander around a bit trying to find it. I did the same thing at first, looking around going "is this really it?" haha.

![View of Anok tucked below the staircase](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family-18-1ej40-966.webp)

Check your route on a map app beforehand, and think of it as looking for the alley staircase from Hongik University's front gate — that makes it much easier. Once you get past that small hassle, finding a space like this in the middle of Hongdae actually feels even more special.

## Anok in one line

- A hanok-style gukbap restaurant hidden down a staircase in the alley off Hongik University's front gate.
- All three dishes — clear pork gomtang, Pyongyang naengmyeon (water broth), and braised pork tail — each have a distinct, confident flavor.
- A menu lineup that works for picky-eater kids and adults alike, without being too strong.
- Hours 11:00–22:00, last order 21:00 (as of September 2026).
- Group seating up to 12 people, good for family outings or small gatherings.
- Slightly tricky to find on the first visit, so checking the map beforehand is a must.

If you're looking for a quiet, easy-on-the-stomach meal in Hongdae, give Anok a try. It's the kind of place that makes you want to go back for the next family outing.

## Anok basic information

- Name: Anok
- Address: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Hours: 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00), as of September 2026
- Group seating: up to 12 people
- Parking: not confirmed — best to inquire directly
- Reservations: by phone or Naver Reservation

## Who Anok is best for

- Anyone looking for a quiet, atmospheric restaurant in Hongdae for a family meal
- Anyone who prefers mild, non-spicy gukbap and gomtang over strong flavors
- Anyone who's been wanting Pyongyang naengmyeon in Hongdae
- Anyone looking for a venue for a small group gathering (around 10 people)

## Where it is

- Anok (안옥)
- 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 마포구 홍익로 13-4
- 37.5536729, 126.9229752
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%95%88%EC%98%A5/@37.5536729,126.9229752,17z

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Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@shared-pot-seoul/anok-hongdae-hanok-gomtang-family/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt