# Hongdae Korean restaurant for a bowl of clear pork broth: Anok

- By Siwoo (https://superchart.com/en/@weekday-small-orders/)
- Written Sep 6, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This is a visit record written after receiving a complimentary meal from the restaurant.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@weekday-small-orders/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@weekday-small-orders/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/index.md)

## In short

Anok is a hanok-style Korean restaurant in a Hongdae alley in Mapo, Seoul, fronted by a tiled roof and a wooden gate. The order was Pyongyang naengmyeon at 14,000 won, clear gomtang (clear beef-style broth soup) at 13,000 won and braised pork tail at 29,000 won, and the clear gomtang stood out most — its clear pork broth recalled the pork gomtang once eaten at Okdongsik. For clear-broth Korean food in Hongdae, Anok's clear gomtang is the dish to order first.

## Good to know

- **Pyongyang naengmyeon**: 14,000 won
- **Clear gomtang**: 13,000 won
- **Braised pork tail**: 29,000 won
- **How to order**: Tablet ordering at the table
- **Side dishes**: Kimchi, kkakdugi (radish kimchi), jangajji pickles, dipping sauce for the meat
- **Address**: 13-4 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- **Price reference**: ₩14,000 ≈ $10.5 · ₩13,000 ≈ $9.6 · ₩29,000 ≈ $21.5 (2026-09-15)

*as written by the visitor on Sep 6, 2026*

Looking for Pyongyang naengmyeon or a clean, clear gomtang (bone broth soup) spot in Hongdae? There are countless restaurants in Hongdae, but this time I visited somewhere with a totally different vibe from what you'd usually expect there.

Walking down the alley, a tiled roof and a huge wooden gate suddenly appear.

![Tiled roof exterior of Anok in a Hongdae alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-01-hx2xu-900.webp)

![Large wooden gate at Anok's entrance](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-02-bto9u-900.webp)

My first thought was, "Is there really a hanok-style tiled house in the middle of Hongdae?" — it just caught my eye. The restaurant I'm introducing today is a Hongdae favorite: Anok (안옥).

![Table spread of Pyongyang naengmyeon and clear gomtang at the Hongdae Korean restaurant Anok](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-03-1je4r-1200.webp)

It's a place where you can enjoy clean, tidy Korean dishes ranging from Pyongyang naengmyeon to clear gomtang to braised pork tail. This time I ordered three: Pyongyang naengmyeon ₩14,000, clear gomtang ₩13,000, and braised pork tail ₩29,000.

Honestly, what surprised me most here wasn't the naengmyeon but the clear gomtang. The moment I tasted it, I was reminded of that famous New York pork gomtang restaurant from Culinary Class Wars (흑백요리사).

## A tiled-roof hanok that appears out of nowhere in a Hongdae alley

Anok has a distinctive look from the outside. When you think of Hongdae, flashy signs, cafés, and bars usually come to mind first — but here, right from the entrance, there's a tiled roof and a thick wooden gate, so it feels like stepping into a small hanok house.

![Anok's hanok entrance lit up in the evening](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-04-vffy6-900.webp)

The lighting is warm too, so visiting in the evening made the atmosphere even better. "Hongdae tiled-house restaurant" really fits this place. It was pretty for photos too :)

## What is the interior of Anok like?

The inside of Anok keeps the same calm hanok mood. Once you open the door and step in, the feeling from the exterior carries straight through.

It's mostly wood-toned, with a ceiling design that evokes wooden rafters. An Asian-style painting hangs on one wall, and with the warm lighting it felt like a cleanly modernized Korean restaurant — traditional, but not like an old-fashioned diner.

![Interior of Anok with wood tones and rafter-style ceiling](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-05-1854e-900.webp)

![Table seating at Anok with an Asian-style painting on the wall](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-06-1kypc-900.webp)

The tables aren't too cramped either, so this could work well for a meal with parents in Hongdae, or a slightly calmer date spot.

## Ordering at Anok: tablets on every table

Each table at Anok has a tablet for ordering. I also got to read an explanation of the broth there. The notice said:

> Made with selected medicinal ingredients like hwanggi (astragalus root) and burdock for a subtle depth, and skimmed of fat over 48 hours to create a clear broth.

That's what it says.

![Tablet at the Anok table showing the broth explanation](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-07-1djso-900.webp)

Maybe that's why the food here leans clear and clean rather than heavy or greasy.

### Anok's side dishes: kimchi, kkakdugi and jangajji

After ordering, the basic side dishes arrive: kimchi, kkakdugi (radish kimchi), pickled vegetables, and a dipping sauce that goes well with meat.

![Basic side dishes at Anok — kimchi, kkakdugi, and pickles](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-08-15pwz-900.webp)

With naengmyeon or gomtang, both fairly mild dishes, you end up reaching for kimchi or pickles in between bites, and overall the side dish lineup matched the Korean menu well.

## Pyongyang naengmyeon in Hongdae: Anok's bowl at 14,000 won

First, Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon at ₩14,000. You can tell at a glance the broth is very clear, right?

Instead of a flashy pile of toppings, it's a tidy bowl of clear broth with noodles and meat. If you like the mild, unassuming flavor typical of Pyongyang naengmyeon, this style should suit you well.

![Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon with meat over clear broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-09-xwy2p-900.webp)

![Close-up of noodles and meat in Anok's Pyongyang naengmyeon](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-10-1mval-900.webp)

It's not a naengmyeon that hits you with strong saltiness or sweetness right away — sip the broth slowly and you start noticing the flavor of the stock. The meat on top made it good to eat alongside the noodles.

I'd recommend this more to those who already enjoy the mild, clear style of naengmyeon rather than first-timers.

## Anok's clear gomtang, 13,000 won: why it recalled Okdongsik's pork gomtang

And now the dish that stuck with me most this time: Anok's clear gomtang at ₩13,000. From the moment it arrived, it's nothing like the milky pork gukbap (rice soup) or seolleongtang you'd usually picture. The broth is nearly transparent, with a generous amount of pork piled on top.

I took one spoonful and...

> Wait, I've had this somewhere before?

I thought. And then it hit me — Okdongsik, famous for the "pork gomtang that went to New York" from Culinary Class Wars 2.

![Transparent broth of Anok's clear gomtang](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-11-dschc-900.webp)

![Clear gomtang generously topped with pork](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-12-6p6s9-900.webp)

![Lifting a spoonful of meat from the gomtang](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-13-1u75y-900.webp)

I've actually eaten at Okdongsik myself before, and Anok's clear gomtang felt quite close to that in character. Not that the two dishes are identical, to be clear.

But both are delicious, and both share that style of clear pork broth topped generously with tender meat, rather than the milky, thick pork gukbap style.

### Clear broth, but the flavour is not light

Looking at the photo alone, you might think, "the broth is this clear, won't it be bland?" But actually, this kind of clear gomtang has its own charm — the broth is so clean you just keep spooning it up. Especially with so much meat piled on, every scoop of the spoon brings up more.

A bite of meat with broth, then a bite of kimchi in between — that combo was great. Even if you came here for the naengmyeon, if you like clear broth, I'd say try the gomtang too. Of the three dishes that day, if I came back, the gomtang is what I'd order first.

## Anok's braised pork tail at 29,000 won: striking from the first look

It felt like a waste to order just the meal dishes, so we also got Anok's braised pork tail at ₩29,000.

![Anok's braised pork tail glazed in glossy red sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-14-19s8o-900.webp)

![Plate of pork tail jjim with scallions and whole garlic](https://img.superchart.com/images/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth-15-1158u-900.webp)

This one shifts the mood completely from the naengmyeon or gomtang. A big plate arrives piled generously with pork tail glazed in deep red sauce.

Topped with scallions and sesame seeds, along with whole garlic and grilled scallions — visually it screams anju (drinking snack) :) If you like the chewy texture typical of pork tail, this one's especially for you.

### Why the pork tail pairs well with Anok's mild gomtang

There's a reason I liked this combination personally. The Pyongyang naengmyeon and clear gomtang are both mild and clean overall, while the pork tail jjim (braised dish) goes the opposite direction with a rich, heavy sauce.

- A bite of clear gomtang
- Some pork tail
- Another bite of the broth

Eating this way, the two dishes seemed to complement each other's flavors. If you're visiting with someone, ordering one meal dish like naengmyeon or gomtang each and sharing a plate of pork tail in the middle sounds like a good plan. If you drink, the pork tail should also pair well with soju or makgeolli.

## A Korean restaurant like Anok feels unexpected in Hongdae

When people think of Hongdae restaurants, pasta places, meat restaurants, and izakayas come to mind first — there are just so many of them. But Anok, with its combination of hanok atmosphere, Pyongyang naengmyeon, clear gomtang, and pork tail jjim, felt refreshingly different even for Hongdae.

Especially with the hanok look right from the exterior, it would work well for visiting with a foreign friend too. It's Korean food, but not too heavy or old-fashioned in feel, so it's an easy pick for a date as well.

## Verdict on Anok in Hongdae

I went in planning to eat the Pyongyang naengmyeon and walked out more hooked on the clear gomtang instead.

- ⭐️ Pyongyang naengmyeon ₩14,000
- ⭐️ Clear gomtang ₩13,000
- ⭐️ Braised pork tail ₩29,000

The naengmyeon was clean and mild, and the clear gomtang left an impression — clear and clean enough to recall the Okdongsik pork gomtang I'd had before. Adding the richly seasoned pork tail jjim into the mix made for a solid menu combination.

Above all, finding a restaurant decorated with a tiled roof and wooden gate right in the middle of Hongdae was a bit of a unique experience in itself. If you're looking for a Pyongyang naengmyeon spot in Hongdae, a gomtang restaurant in Hongdae, or just a Korean restaurant in a hanok setting with some atmosphere, Anok is worth a visit :)

## 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/@weekday-small-orders/anok-hongdae-clear-gomtang-pork-broth/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt