Weekday dinner gomtang in Wangsimni when minari ran out: Geumnyeong

You know those days when you just desperately want a bowl of hot soup?

That day I wanted a rich, long-simmered gomtang (beef bone soup), so I headed to Geumnyeong Gomtang (금녕곰탕) in Wangsimni. It's known for gomtang made with Hanwoo (Korean beef), so I was quietly looking forward to the broth, haha.

3 key points about Geumnyeong Gomtang

• A calm, quiet Hanwoo gomtang restaurant near Wangsimni Station
• No minari gomtang when I visited, but the deep broth of the basic gomtang won me over
• At 7 p.m. on a weekday, about 3 tables were in use on the first floor

Geumnyeong Gomtang Wangsimni main branch: basic info

Geumnyeong Gomtang is at 11 Wangsimni-ro 20-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, near Exit 1 of Wangsimni Station.

What is the atmosphere like at Geumnyeong Gomtang?

Tucked into a Wangsimni alley, Geumnyeong Gomtang was impressive from the outside already, with a red-brick exterior like a detached house. It's not a flashy restaurant; the wood and warm lighting give it a calm, quiet mood that I personally really liked.

Signatures from baduk (Go) players hang inside, and little touches like that make the place feel more special. Besides the first floor, there is also seating on the second floor. The layout looked fine both for a quiet meal alone and for visiting in a group.

Is Geumnyeong Gomtang crowded at 7 p.m. on a weekday?

I arrived at Geumnyeong Gomtang around 7 p.m. on a weekday. When I visited, guests were sitting at about three tables on the first floor.

I also noticed people eating mulsuyuk (boiled sliced beef), and it's nice that there are other dishes to enjoy besides gomtang. It didn't feel jam-packed; it was a calm atmosphere for a relaxed dinner.

Geumnyeong Gomtang menu and prices

The menu centers on Hanwoo gomtang, with minari gomtang, rice noodles, mulsuyuk and more.

• Gomtang ₩13,000 / special gomtang ₩15,000
• Minari gomtang ₩14,000 / special minari gomtang ₩16,000
• Gom rice noodles ₩13,000 / minari rice noodles ₩14,000
• Myeongtae-hoe-muchim (spicy pollack salad) ₩14,000
• Mulsuyuk (boiled beef) for 2 ₩39,000

I originally planned to try the minari gomtang, but sadly they told me the minari had run out that day. So I switched my order to the basic gomtang, and to say the conclusion first, it was so good that my disappointment disappeared.

How does the basic gomtang broth taste?

My first impression of the basic gomtang was a broth that looked clear yet deep. One spoonful and I tasted a rich savoriness, as if it had been simmered for a long time. The broth was just fantastic. The depth is fully there, but it's not stuffy or overly heavy, so it felt better the more I ate.

Hanwoo beef and broth together

The restaurant's own notice says it uses 1+ and 1++ grade Hanwoo. I got the impression that this is a place that cares about its meat too.

Eating the meat together with the deep Hanwoo broth made the whole bowl feel well put together. The basic gomtang alone made for a thoroughly satisfying meal.

Who I'd recommend Geumnyeong Gomtang to

• People who like Hanwoo gomtang that is rich yet clean
• People looking for a hearty solo meal near Wangsimni Station
• People who want warm Korean food in a calm, quiet setting

Things you may want to know before visiting

Where is Geumnyeong Gomtang?

It's near Exit 1 of Wangsimni Station, at 11 Wangsimni-ro 20-gil.

Is there a wait on weekday evenings?

At 7 p.m. on the weekday I visited, I could eat right away.

Does the minari gomtang sometimes run out?

Yes, the minari had sold out when I visited, so I ordered the basic gomtang. (The basic gomtang was really delicious too...!)

Wangsimni Geumnyeong Gomtang: final verdict

Geumnyeong Gomtang in Wangsimni stayed with me as a place I'd want to come back to whenever I crave a hot bowl of soup. The deeply simmered broth was especially good. The gomtang itself had such depth that the meal felt really hearty.

You must have a restaurant where one spoonful of broth puts you in a good mood too, right? Next time I want to try Geumnyeong Gomtang's minari gomtang and mulsuyuk.