Jongno Korean restaurant family set meal: Wongiok Gwanghwamun

I was looking for somewhere to eat with my family in Gwanghwamun, and we ended up at Wongiok Gwanghwamun (원기옥 광화문점). It was a special occasion, so we wanted a proper Korean meal. There was enough food to leave leftovers even for three of us, and it felt just right for a family special occasion.

Before coming here, though, I heard a funny little story. About the name, Wongiok. Apparently, when Son Goku gathers his energy, he draws power from a huge orb called a wongiok. Once I heard that, the restaurant's philosophy immediately made sense to me. It seemed to mean that you should leave feeling energized by wholesome ingredients and good food. There was actually a huge black circle hanging at the entrance like a light, and you know how you only notice what you know—I think I would have walked right past it if I hadn't heard the story haha.

Where is Wongiok Gwanghwamun?

It is on B1 of the D Palace building, between Gwanghwamun Station and Seodaemun Station. The whole basement is a restaurant area, so it was fun to look around on the way there too.

It is about a 9-minute walk from Gwanghwamun Station and about a 9-minute walk from Exit 5 of Seodaemun Station. Parking is supported for up to two hours on B3 of the building; if it is full, use the nearby Concordian Building.

How is the menu set up?

The menu has a wide range. From gomtang (beef bone soup) for a quick solo meal to the Generous Set for enjoying like a course with a group, it is easy to choose for the occasion. The sets are the Value Set at ₩80,000, Generous Set at ₩110,000, and Family Set at ₩190,000.

For hot pots, Wongiok restorative hot pot is ₩45,000 and Wongiok beef tripe hot pot is ₩48,000. There is also Korean beef sirloin bulgogi at ₩33,000, charcoal-grilled beef ribs at ₩59,000, premium Korean beef striploin at ₩45,000, and spicy three-ingredient griddle grill at ₩38,000.

Sides include 1++ premium Korean beef yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) at ₩29,000, stir-fried octopus at ₩24,000, yukjeon (pan-fried beef) at ₩28,000, minari whole-octopus pancake at ₩24,000, minari freshwater-shrimp pancake at ₩21,000, Korean beef sliced roast with mustard cold salad at ₩18,000, fried chili peppers at ₩9,000, four steamed dumplings at ₩9,000, cold boiled pork at ₩27,000 (half portion ₩14,000), and nutritious pot rice at ₩15,000.

Meals include gomtang at ₩15,000, Special Gomtang at ₩18,000, Special Gomtang Plus at ₩23,000, hongtang at ₩15,000, Special Hongtang at ₩18,000, limited-quantity yukhoe bibimbap at ₩18,000, weekday-lunch-only octopus rice bowl at ₩18,000, and mul makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in broth) and bibim makguksu (spicy mixed buckwheat noodles) at ₩14,000 each. They also offer free corkage in the evening. Keep that in mind if you would like to bring wine or whisky along.

What comes with the Generous Set?

Generous Set ₩110,000

• Banchan (side dishes): cold boiled pork, seasoned pollack sashimi, japchae, and green salad
• Korean beef sliced roast with mustard cold salad
• 3 handmade fried chili peppers
• Choose one: stir-fried octopus or charcoal-grilled beef ribs
• Choose one: restorative hot pot, beef tripe hot pot, or bulgogi
• Nutritious pot rice and sikhye (sweet rice punch) for dessert

We chose the stir-fried octopus and the beef tripe hot pot. Even with three of us eating, there was plenty. It is generous enough for three to four people.

It all came out as a full spread, starting with the banchan

There were four banchan: seasoned pollack sashimi, green salad, cold boiled pork, and japchae. The green salad looked pretty with thin slices of lotus root on top, and the cold boiled pork was chilled and clean-tasting, perfect to have between the mains. Radish kimchi and napa cabbage kimchi came as side dishes too. Every item was seasoned nicely, so it was fun picking at them.

While the beef tripe hot pot was cooking, we tucked into the freshly fried, very tempting chili peppers. They were large and absolutely packed with meat~ The crispy batter and juicy meat filling were so good.

How were the main dishes in the Generous Set?

The banchan alone would have been enough, but three more main dishes arrived.

Korean beef sliced roast with mustard cold salad

This is an appetizer of thinly sliced beef topped with vegetables and shrimp, tossed in a tangy mustard sauce. It was a great way to wake up the appetite before the heavier dishes arrived.

Beef tripe hot pot

The beef tripe hot pot had plenty of tripe in a pleasantly spicy broth. The longer it bubbled away, the deeper the broth became, and the tripe was tender without any off smell.

Stir-fried octopus

The stir-fried octopus had exactly the kind of heat that tastes good. It was spicy without being too sweet or overpowering, so it was great mixed into the nutritious pot rice too.

There was so much to eat that I loaded up my small plate with all sorts of things and cleared it properly, like I was at a buffet!!

Nutritious pot rice and sikhye

We finished with the nutritious pot rice. It had lots of ingredients, so it was nutty and satisfying even on its own—and what can I say about wrapping rice and seasoned sauce in seaweed? So good~ With the beef tripe hot pot broth, it really felt like a proper meal. Dessert was sikhye topped with pine nuts. Sweet and chilled, it freshened up the palate and rounded out the meal.

How were the atmosphere and private rooms?

Down on B1, the space feels closer to a Korean restaurant than a casual eatery. The wood tones and soft gray lighting gave it an overall calm feel.

The tables are generously spaced, so you can eat without worrying about the next table. Further inside, there are also five private rooms in various layouts that can be closed off.

It looked good for office workers at lunch, as well as a formal business meal. It is the kind of place where you could naturally introduce Korean food and culture to overseas visitors while also having a business conversation. It also looked nice for gatherings with friends or a special occasion with family.

Things to know before visiting

The Generous Set is an appropriate amount for three to four people. Beef tripe hot pot, stir-fried octopus, and Korean beef sliced roast with mustard cold salad follow as the mains, while the banchan alone creates a full Korean table setting. Break time is from 15:00 to 17:00.

For company dinners, family meetings, dates, or gatherings, private rooms require reservations, so it is best to check ahead. Evening free corkage has bottle limits by drink type, so confirming before you visit is the safe move. After your meal, it is easy to link up a walk around Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdong-gil, or the Seoul Museum of History.

Why I keep thinking of it for a Gwanghwamun family Korean meal

Wongiok Gwanghwamun is not a light-budget Korean restaurant if you look at the cost alone, but considering the selection, ingredients, and space, it felt worth it. Above all, its flavors are not overpowering and have a clean, gentle quality, which I think is its biggest strength for bringing elders along. It was perfect for coming with family on a special day.

True to the meaning in its name, I came away feeling energized by good food. Along with gomtang that you can enjoy simply as an individual dish, there are Korean set menus too, so if you are planning a Gwanghwamun outing, save this one and pay a visit.