Gongdeok makgeolli bar night: beef shank suyuk at Horangi Gotgan

A Gongdeok Korean restaurant, Horangi Gotgan Gongdeok Branch, good for restoring your energy with a rich 100% Korean beef bone broth, tender aerongsatae (beef shank), and a refreshing glass of yuja makgeolli.

Walking to Horangi Gotgan Gongdeok Branch from Gongdeok Station Exit 4

I'd been looking for a Korean restaurant near Gongdeok Station where I could have a solid meal and a light drink on the side, and I finally made it to Horangi Gotgan Gongdeok Branch. It was easy to find — just walk a short way from Exit 4 along the wall of Gongdeok Elementary School and it's right there. There's free parking in front of and beside the restaurant too, so it's perfect if you're driving.

The interior was very clean and well kept. It seemed like a great spot for office workers grabbing a hearty lunch, and in the evening it had a calm, comfortable atmosphere that felt just right for a drink. The staff were friendly too, so I felt at ease the whole time I was there.

Arongsatae suyuk, 24,000 won: the signature dinner plate

Aerongsatae sujuk (boiled beef shank), ₩24,000. I was craving something clean and light, and this dish, recommended as the signature dinner item, exceeded expectations just from the look of it.

It came with a sauce with chopped cheongyang chili peppers mixed in, which went great with the boiled beef.

Yuja makgeolli, 6,000 won: how does it go with boiled beef?

Yuja makgeolli (citron rice wine), ₩6,000. I figured it would go nicely with the rich, savory broth dish, so I ordered it too! The subtle, sweet-tart citron aroma spread gently and the finish was clean, making it a really good match with the boiled beef as an anju (drinking snack). The drink wasn't harsh at all, just sweet and refreshing, so it was easy to sip along with the meal without feeling like too much.

100% Korean beef bone broth with minari

100% Korean beef bone broth. Horangi Gotgan's aerongsatae sujuk comes in a broth carefully simmered from 100% Korean beef bones, loaded with tender beef shank, fragrant minari, and mushrooms — just looking at it felt like it was doing me good.

The beef shank had absolutely no gamey smell and was so soft it practically melted, and wrapping the fragrant minari around a piece of meat with a bit of broth cut through any richness perfectly — it was a great combination.

The bone broth looks milky and delicious just to look at, doesn't it! Once I tasted it, the deep, milky flavor made sense — it's simmered from nothing but water and Korean beef bones, and the taste was truly excellent.

Final verdict: who should eat at Horangi Gotgan Gongdeok Branch?

The combination of the deep, milky Korean beef bone broth, the soft aerongsatae, and the fragrant minari at Horangi Gotgan was thoroughly satisfying. It works great as a solid lunch spot, but I especially loved it in the evening for a good Korean anju with a glass of yuja makgeolli — a real find near Gongdeok Station. If you're around Gongdeok Station looking for well-made Korean food or boiled beef with a drink, give it a visit!

• Anyone near Gongdeok Station looking for a well-crafted Korean restaurant built around rich beef bone broth
• Anyone who wants to pair tender aerongsatae sujuk with a refreshing glass of yuja makgeolli for a light drink
• Anyone looking for a clean space for lunch or for evening gatherings and work dinners